Describe a significant setback, challenge or opportunity in your life and the impact that it has had on you.?

Answer 1

Thanks for a thoughtful question. I have had some very significant experiences that shaped me in many ways. Here are just a few:

raped when I was 16; set me back for 12 years until I finally came to terms with it; taught me the value of assertiveness, that things can be overcome, and about setting boundaries, and about finding my voice in the world and not beiong afraid to put myself forward

parents divorced when I was 14: taught me to be independent, and to work on making myself a better person every day. I also learned the value of a good relationship partner, and the value of communication in a relationship. I learned about emptiness, suicidal tendencies, depression, grief, anger, and faith.

engaged to the wrong man for 5 years: taught me to trust my instincts, and to learn what is really important in relationships. Taught me that people grow apart when one partner grows spritually and the other does not.

Peace Corps: incredible experience and opportunity. taught me the value of love, and friends, and resourcefulness. Taught me to look at the world in a different way. Taught me not to judge people by their lack of opportunity. Taught me to truly judge the worht and value of a human being. Taught me perserverance, as I continue trying to make my vision for my villagers a reality 4 years later. Became an honorary Maya Indian, and was awed to the point of tears. Watched people die needlessly. Stood at the site of a mass grave. helped a few hundred poeple learn life skills.

nights spent with my grandmotehr: the most unconditionally loving and kind person I have ever met. I hope I can do her memory justice one day!

met a Nobel Peace Prize winner: all I can say is wow!

got lost on an active volcano: otherworldly, transcendental experience; the mist and vapors all around me while the soles of my boots melted to the ground. Unreal.

disowned by my father at age 18: learned the value of an education the hard way- I earned it painfully, paying it off with minimum wage jobs, work study, scholarships, and loans

opportunity to lead a panel of ethicists: again, an amazing experience I am currently having, guiding the thoughts and ideas of 11 highly intelligent people into actions that set policies for an International organization

assisting the delivery of a child on the dirt floor of a hut: awesome, and humbling. I truly felt ashamed of my country at the same time I was cheered by the resiliency of the human experience.

Answer 2

The death of my father when I was ten years old. He was a great ,loving and smart man and I miss him very much still, I'm 27 now. Although no child should have to go through loosing a parent , the impact has been great. I've learned to cherish every moment with my loved ones, that everything has a purpose, and beauty is all around if you just stop to look around once and a while. Life is too short to hate or dwell on every day worries, in the long run they mean nothing. Love is all that matters.

Answer 3

The death of my loving husband a year ago..My life fell apart and I wanted to die...I had been a stay at home mom and when he died ..I had no idea what I was going to do with my life..It was a nightmare but it is getting much better.Life still sucks without him but I have gone back to school at the age of 49 and am holding a 4.0 grade average so I will be o.k. I pray to God that he will let my husband watch over me and that God will guide me in the right direction so I don't let my anger over losing my husband affect my faith and steer me in the direction of wrongdoing..Life will go on and I will survive..

Answer 4

Mine is an opportunity to overlook a Bishop's mansion.It has helped me to be responsible and focused.

Answer 5

I also believe that everything that happens in your life have some sort of impact. Some greater than others.

Answer 6

I had the opportunity to move to florida for almost two years and not have to get a job or go to school. it made me realize you don't appreciate not having to do anything... unless you have things to do.