Originally Posted By Lisann22 C'mon you knew I couldn't stay away forever. ;> Ok this might be a bit heavy for some and right up the alley for others so no pressure if this isn't your bag. I found another question book - here's the summary: At the center of each of us lies our essential spirit. It is what defines us, makes us individuals, and gives us our ultimate strength. It gives us hope for a greater purpose to the life we lead, and the yearning for a sense of meaning. This core is us is something everyone is born with and will die with, and it is what many believes carries forth beyond death. It is our soul. It is unreachable in a literal sense - there is no one who can access it directly - but we inherently desire to know more about it, in order to better understand ourselves. If you could look into your soul, would you wish to? The ability to know ourselves involves great effort and courage, and is essential to the living of our lives. While a soul cannot be asked a question directly - or answer one at any rate - these questions are designed to help us explore - at our own pace, and to varying depths - that most hidden and essential part of ourselves. It gently looks at the heart of our beliefs, fears, and hopes, as well as those of the people we love. This collection is intended to be used randomly, and we hope the questions will be shared and will give rise to enriching and revealing conversations and deeper knowledge of ourselves and others. We have included some lighter questions as well, not to offend, but to ease the weight of the collection as a whole, and to include one of life's most important ingredients - smiles - with the contemplation that we intend the others to generate. May you find parts of yourself you were familiar with, and greet them with warm forgiveness. Whew boy. LOL! A bit new agey but what the hay, let's dig in... Question #1: If there was a time when, despite your resistance, a change in your life turned out to be for the better, when would you say it was?
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains This one would be easy... The day my EX decided we should separate. I have now been married for 18 years to a wonderful man... Best part is I met him the Day my divorce was final!
Originally Posted By u k fan <<<If there was a time when, despite your resistance, a change in your life turned out to be for the better, when would you say it was?>>> That would be my parents divorce. They divorced when I was aged 10 or 11. It was a very hard time for me. I changed schools around that time as well and felt very responsible for my younger siblings who were 9 and 6. It took what feels like a long time for my family to be in a good place again. Growing up in a single parent family was a struggle. We lived with my father and had limited contact with my mother for who knows how long (I was young and really don't remember). She had moved about 75 miles away so we mostly saw her at holidays and the odd weekend. But through all of that as a general rule homelife was better. We were no longer woken up by our parents arguing and though both parents were hurting they seemed happier. I found out years later that my Dad was getting us out the door to school each morning and then going back to bed getting up just before we got home. We had no idea that he was seriously depressed. That's why he's a hero. My Mum asked me while my parents were on a trial separation how things were at home. I said they were better. I've since found out that it was that moment that she decided to make the trial permanant. I wish I didn't know that. Anyway, now my parents are best friends. We are completely a family unit better then we ever were before. We go on family vacations together, we spend the holidays together, we have meals together. We even do the little things like supermarket shopping together. I'm so lucky to have such a great arrangement. Words cannot express how grateful I am for my family and how much I appreciate the way we are together. I genuinely think my life would be worse if they hadn't divorced!!!
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>If there was a time when, despite your resistance, a change in your life turned out to be for the better, when would you say it was?<< Mine was going from working in a sure-thing, safe job to taking a risk at something new 5 years ago. I resisted making the leap for a few years, but finally did, and it turned out much better than I ever hoped. In fact, the department I was in at the "safer" job was completely phased out not very long after I left. If I hadn't taken that leap of faith, I'd have been toast.
Originally Posted By Ursula The first time I was laid off. I was alreay thinking of leaving, knowing the company was going down hill. I had two interviews and things were looking good. I was told at about 4:30 pm by the office assistant that she was told to come in the next day to cover my shift. I knew this was so hard for her...she was a very Christian woman and could never lie yet was loyal, and they asked her to not tell me. She was so torn on what was the right thing to do, bless her heart. I was laid off that evening. The next day my potential new employer called my references and then called me at home to say my current employer told her I was let go. She wanted to know why. (DEER IN HEADLIGHTS LIFE-CHANGING MOMENT): I answered her truthfully. That I was laid off the night before along with 2 other people for financial reasons and to my knowledge, it wasn't performance related at all. Turns out my potential new boss had called the owner of the company that let me go and she was testing me to see if I would trash my former employer. I came through with flying colors and was hired right then and there.
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 Mine was also having a job phased out. I moved onto something better.
Originally Posted By DJ7K Going to a Bible Study I never liked at first when I went there with my Dad 4 or 5 years ago, but now I've been going since late 2006 and it's opened my eyes to some things.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 For me it was walking away from a relationship that seemed like the ideal situation. I listened to my gut and heartwrenching as it was it opened many other doors for me.
Originally Posted By crazycroc When I became a single dad. I never thought I would raise a child on my own, or could. But, I'm so glad I stepped up to the plate and raised my girl, instead of giving up.... Now I have a wonderful new wife who helps me with the teenage girl stuff, and also my sister's kids...grumble, grumble.
Originally Posted By The IRONMAN If there was a time when, despite your resistance, a change in your life turned out to be for the better, when would you say it was? I say this literally choking back tears, it happend not so long ago when my wife decided she had had enough. I came home from work one Friday and her car was gone. I thought it odd but not alarming. Then when I went inside all of her clothes and all her stuff was gone. It didn't take me long to figure out that she was gone too. It is hard for me to understand how its better for me but somehow I know that in the long run it is better for both of us as neither of us really was truly happy. We could have been and I never gave up but several little things over a number of years in the end did us in. I would say that mainly our inability to have a child together, and our love of getting drunk at well anywhere, and me refusing to accept financial help from my parents and her parents, and maybe even my continued chasing of a music writing dream were some of those things. So her leaving was really just a final chapter to a long history of defining moments along the way. The hard part is that I still love her.
Originally Posted By tinkerbell1962 I can add onto the divorce moment. I'm the ONLY one divorced in my family and I felt truly shamed. However, leaving *him* lead me to two new careers (having been a stay at home mom) I had a blast as a travel agent for 5 years and now I've been at my current job for the last 9 years. The elementary school has become a part of my DNA now, I really love the community and the kids I serve. Not to mention, I have probably raised my daughters in a much better home. No more tension, drinking and yelling. I try not to worry about less $$$ and focus on their future. Single parenting is really the hardest job in the universe - but I'm proud to be a member.
Originally Posted By SoThisIsLove (Wow, your stories are truly touching. My love to you all.) I resisted the notion of ever getting married and having children. Having done the exact opposite, it has lead me to be forever changed.
Originally Posted By Mrs ElderP For me, it was getting fired from a job I hated. I truly hated this job and was horrible at it, it was stressing me out, but I was holding on with both hands. Finally they fired me and it was such a blessing. I've never made that sort of money again, but I'm a much happier person.
Originally Posted By LadyKluck When I found out I was pregnant with Catey. Three days after literally the worst day of my life & thinking my entire life was over, I found out I was pregnant & that turned out to be the best day of my life - I'd say that was a huge turning point!!
