What has forever changed the way you look at life or yourself, if anything?

Question

Was it a person, book, or quote? I'm just curious about these things :) Thank you for your contributions!

Answer 1

One time I was lost (spiritually), I spoke to a priest and told him and he said....."Just think back on 3 times that Jesus was there for you when you prayed" and in thinking about it,
I could think of way more than 3 times and I was so thankful!!

Answer 2

A really great psychotherapist changed my life by showing me how I was, in fact, admired and loved by more people than I thought. Prior to that, I felt worthless, that I was a failure, that no one cared, and had very little going for me that was positive.

Although, if someone would have asked me before therapy if I felt like a valuable member of society I would have answered "yes." But down deep I really didn't believe that. Sometimes I even felt like I was just putting on an act and not in control of things. At one point I didn't even know who I was! Was I quiet, shy, reserved? Or was the real me a funny, gregarious, outgoing, fun loving "people person?" I behaved differently around different people and I didn't know why.

I found out I was the latter. Now I have self-confidence, a higher self-esteem, and really DO believe I am of value to society. I also don't take every little bit of criticism personally.

There should be less of a stigma about getting psychotherapy. It really helps to have an objective person reviewing how you see yourself especially if all you've listened to are family who like to find fault.

Just because they are family, doesn't mean you have to believe everything they say.

Answer 3

Lots of things. Becoming a mother was first. Then breaking free from the cycle of bad relationships. Then getting married. Then breaking free from religion. Then several books and movies. The movie that had the most impact on me was "What the Bleep do We know?". Also books from authors Dan Millman, Neale Donald Walsch, and Anthony Robbins. The list goes on and on. All these brought me to where I am today. And it's been a good journey so far. :)

Answer 4

For me, the way I look at life now is a mesh of everything I've seen, experienced, or heard about. I've read a number of quotes, and I've done so many essays on books it's crazy.

But, all in all, the way I see life now is mostly due to three things:

1. My relationship with my friends and family

2. My spiritual beliefs, and how I agree or disagree with what I've been taught

3. Recording everything that's happened in a journal and allowing myself to wander around and form connections between those occurrences and what I should be drawing from them.

As far as my spiritual beliefs go, I am currently a [semi] active member of my church, and an active member in an online wizardry school. I wouldn't be where I am now without either of them.

I've learned a lot from my friends, who range from so many ideas and philosophies/religions.

I've learned from having been into situations that I didn't like, from seeing other people go through things, from a shoulder to cry on, and just working on forming my own values.

Answer 5

Plenty -- Books that make me appreciate what I have change the way I look at life, the things that happen in other peoples lives that make me just, appreciate.

There are things I take for granted, which, I learn what they are when I don't have them ;)

Mostly it's a handfull of things that add to my outlook at life. Obviously I very much appreciate it! It's a good question, happy to answer -- hopefully I was the tiniest bit interesting :-) Have a great day!

Answer 6

I work for a person whom I recently found out was terminally ill. By looking at him you would never know this. It made me realize how many people in this world could be sick and they look so normal!! I look at people with a lot more respect after this. I DON"T know what anyone else is going through so by trying harder to be more tolerant towards all individuals I believe I am becoming a better person and maybe I have helped make someone else's day better also.

Answer 7

The way I look at things changes a little bit every moment.

Really big changes have happened, but they're likely to come from any source; book, person, show, news item, piece of music. More likely from a person, I guess.

Answer 8

I was already close to Jesus, but I wanted to be closer. After some years of looking for inspiration, I found an old book (I was 14). It was a Wesleyan sunday school book from 1918. I still have it... I'm trying to keep it from falling apart. It was written in an old american style, and had stories about young girls mostly who are on thier own Journies with and to Jesus. It really inspired me so very much! Then I found Christian music and I was floating on "cloud 9" ... just totally in love with Jesus. I've had alot of struggles in the Christian world over the years, but I have still stayed close to Him. People and situations can be cruel, but if you trust in God, there is always a way out. He's saved more than my soul, that's for sure.

Answer 9

My life has been changed soooo many times, I feel like a revolving door!

A couple of high points, for me, were taking the LifeSpring course (something like EST)... growing up in an evangelical christian community... many different books, like Richard Bach's "Illusions" and "A Course in Miracles".

I remember, when I was a teen, that Wayne Dyer's "Your Erroneous Zones" really re-defined me. Now... I can't stand his books... but back then??

I would also recommend Re-evaluation Co-counseling and the writings of it's founder, Harvey Jackins.

Actually (and don't laugh) the Scientology books were very helpful to me, as a young adult.

I could go on... but you get the idea.

Answer 10

My exposing to astrophysics changed the way I view my life. No longer do I feel the world is limitless for the universe is infinitely larger. I feel cramped in a dome and wasting my life when I would rather explore other worlds.

Answer 11

A friend gave me the book Conversations With God by Neale Donald Walsch. It changed my entire perspective on God and on life for the better and set me on a journey of spiritual and self-discover which has been absolutely joyful!