What was the last experience that positively changed your life?

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   cam8510posted 12 years ago

   What was the last experience that positively changed your life?
   
   Here is my story.  In 2008, following my wife's death from cancer, I began to drink heavily.  A year later I received a DUI.  I spent the following two years in a court program called Sobriety Court.  It was an awesome experience because of the attitude I had going in.  I knew I had a problem and accepted everything the court asked of me as appropriate and reasonable.  I did not complain, but complied.  At the end of the two years, when I graduated from the program, I was a different person and I remain a different person. I am alcohol free and my life has a spiritual (not religious) base.

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2. 86

   annartposted 12 years ago

   I have had no huge life-changing experiences but the best thing which has changed my life more recently is my grandchildren.  They are a constant source of delight and make me see the world through different eyes and put more value on the simple things.  Their innocent and basic approach to life is so refreshing.  It keeps me young(er!) and fitter and keeps my feet on the ground.  Their sense of humour is overwhelming; the best sound is hearing them chuckle and they have worked out how to tease everyone!  I adore them (you might have guessed that already).

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   1. 94

      cam8510posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Ann, yours is the first answer and I'm already prepared to choose Best Answer.  Grand children.  How nice that must be.  I have two sons who are really dragging their feet on the subject.  I can tell you adore them.  They will never forget these days

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      annartposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yes I hope they have good memories of me.  My 12 year old granddaughter and I are really close; it's only now that I've had the time to devote much more of it to them, so I'm pleased for her too (my hub on Paris was the result of a day just for us).

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   3. 94

      cam8510posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Awesome.  I'll take a look at it.

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   Stina Caxeposted 12 years ago

   I used to be very depressed and emotionally unstable.  I've abused drugs and alcohol in the past and went through a period where I was cutting and burning myself.  When I turned 30 I found out I had cancer, that changed me a bit but it wasn't' until a year later when I had my daughter that I think fully changed my world.
   
   She was born 16 weeks early and only weighed a pound and a half.  She spent 6 months int he hospital fighting for her life before she could come home and I spent six months by her side.  She taught me to fight, to hang on, and to love life and appreciate things that most people take for granted.  I never for one second stop wanting to be a better person because of her.

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      annartposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      What a lovely story.  Good luck to you and your daughter.  You're both very brave.

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      cam8510posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Stina, your story breaks my heart and mends it all in one telling.   All the best for you and your daughter.

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      manatita44posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I would have given you best answer, Stina. There are so many reasons to!

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   manatita44posted 12 years ago

   I am guessing here that you may have followed the 12 steps programme. It is very helpful for many. Blessings on you.
   My experience I have put in my book. You can read it sometime. One day, I received a book through the mail. I read it and felt my spirit responding even before I was finished. That was 30 years ago, and I have not looked back since.

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   liesl5858posted 12 years ago

   In 2003,I was so depressed, had a huge financial worry and so bored with my job as a checkout operator in a supermarket that I left after working there for 7 years. As a result, I was jobless and all my credit card , loan and home bills piled up to the point that I almost gave up and nearly throw myself in the sea (I can't swim). But I thought about my mother who killed herself by drinking rat poison and told myself not to repeat history by drowning myself in the ocean. As I left my job about December time I could not get another job instantly so when the new year came in January 2004,I applied for a carer's job which I got and from there on I just focused on repaying my huge debt. I am debt free now but it took a lot of effort, determination and time to do it. I had to do extra jobs to supplement my income at the time. This time I decided not to borrow money from banks or anyone. I do my best to be self sufficient and be frugal with my money.

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      cam8510posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      liesl5858,That is a very powerful story.  Might I suggest you think about writing a hub that describes some of the steps you took that others might find helpful?  Thanks for sharing that with us here.

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      manatita44posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Liesl: Shows tremendous grit. I admire you. Assuming that you apply this to the spiritual life, then you should be sailing.

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      annartposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yes!   Do write a hub about your story.

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      lupineposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      So glad you decided to live, and found a better, less-complicated life.

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   Tayshiaposted 12 years ago

   Wow, I am overwhelmed reading all of these life experiences.  I adopted my son at birth as a single Mom three and half years ago from a girl that I was mentoring.  His birth was extremely meaningful on so many levels.  When my baby was two he was diagnosed with autism.  Although I am really fortunate to have a wonderful extended family, I took the hit being a sole parent.  I took him to countless medical appointments.  Cried like I have never cried in my life and was brought to my knees grief.  My life changed forever....  A year and a half later I find that I am more resourceful, more fierce, more compassionate, have more empathy and honestly - a warrior.

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   GracIe Leonhartposted 12 years ago

   well, last experienced i had was, getting pregnant and marrying unexpectedly with a wrong guy, and by that experienced Im afraid of having a relationship with other guy, and stay single for almost 7 years and my daughter is now 8 years old.

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   1. 94

      cam8510posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Gracie, those are difficult experiences, but sometimes those are the ones that make us stronger and teach us much needed lessons. At least that has been my experience.

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