1 post tagged “life-changing event”

What single event changed your view of the world for the better or for the worse?
Submitted by iASHLEY.

I remember sitting in the hospital room all by myself, wiating to go in for emergency surgery.  I was feeling pretty sorry for myself, all alone, wondering what I did to get in this predicament.  My mind would not shut off, kept going around and around. 

I am the oldest of 9 kids.  While growing up at home my mom always tried to enforce if you get someting for brother #2 then you need to get a little something for everyone else.  So throughout my life I always felt guilty if I didn't get everyone something. 

I remember living in Vancouver I walked to work and this one day while walking home I noticed an ice cream place and wanted an ice cream cone, but my conscience would not let me buy one without buying some to take home for everyone else, so I didn't get any.  It took me a few days of passing this place before I broke down and bought a cone just for me.  I quickly gobbled it up, and kept looking over my shoulder, feeling very guilty  This value was so engrained in me.

Then while sitting in the hospital, I realized how this value affected my whole life.  I always felt envious of others who had this or that and wondered why I couldn't achieve it as well.

I put these together and realized that what my mom taught us just wasn't so.  You have earn it.  What ever it is you have to earn it all on your own.  Whether it's a new car, a house, or just an ice cream cone.

And that it was okay to have something all to myself.  I dont' need to share unless I want to.