You are the sum of your parts.

[AUFred]

What things or decisions you have made in your life have affected who you are the most?

My dad dying when I was 7 probably influenced me more than anything early in my life.
Meeting my wife would be a close second to the physical parts of who I am.
Spiritually accepting Christ is number one.

 

[Joe the meek]

Decision

After my mom died, I was going to take a transfer back up to Pa to be near my father.

Long story short, I didn't move and because of that I wouldn't have the family I have today.

 

[Godsloveapples]

Good for you Fred! Religion is like a sunray piercing the darkness and illuminating your path.

Meeting my bf (now my ex) and being with him for 3 years changed me completely.

 

[Kyle B]

The time period between starting college and now has been pretty influential. I've learned and experienced a lot, and had to make some big decisions that I would not have predicted. Overall, I think it's worked out good so far.

 

[acctnt shan]

Hmm... key moments in my life:

1. My parents' divorce
2. Studying in Spain
3. Choosing my college/moving to Philly
4. Meeting my BF
5. Moving to Boston

Some of those decisions had positive impacts, others had crappier ones... but they all pretty much impacted my life in a big way.

 

[Aeval]

I'd say the 3 big ones are: deciding to stay in Toronto, it made me realize how strong I am; deciding to leave Toronto when I did, made me closer to my family and more compasionate; and taking the summer of 2010 off from everything to focus on looking after myself and to put my life in perspective.

 

[Dana]

That means I must be a big dickhead :tooth

 

[Natasha]

Hmmm. I'd have to go w/ choosing my current career path as being a HUGE part of who I am today. Until I had this job I never believed that people were "born to do" a certain job...but I feel that way about this one. It's what I was meant to do in life, for sure.

Becoming an aunt was another thing. Yes, I've always loved my family and I always will...but the love I felt when those 2 kids were born was something that I can't even describe to this day. I can only imgine what it feels like when it's your own.

 

[jassilem]

Growing up with an abusive father I would say totally made me who I am now.

Deciding to run away from a bad situation to live with my then bf now hubby is another one that has changed me

Staying here after some things has also changed me.

And having my son.

 

[Natasha]

You make a good point, Melissa. I'd say growing up w/ an abusive alcoholic for a father does have something to do w/ who I am today. It's made me terrified to chance going down that same road of addiction, so I stay away from a lot of things. And it's made me resolve to NEVER be someone's punching bag, like my mom was, no matter HOW hard it is to leave.

 

[jassilem]

You make a good point, Melissa. I'd say growing up w/ an abusive alcoholic for a father does have something to do w/ who I am today. It's made me terrified to chance going down that same road of addiction, so I stay away from a lot of things. And it's made me resolve to NEVER be someone's punching bag, like my mom was, no matter HOW hard it is to leave.

I made the same vow too.. I could never do what my mom did for 23 years.. I really don't know how my mom did it.

 

[Mercury]

I'd say that I am who I am today by all the people to whom I have befriended or have spoken to. I used to think I had everything figured out and "knew" why people are the way they are. After truly listening, observing and sharing, I have learned that one never truly knows what it is like until they have walked a mile in their shoes. As such, I have really broken down walls that I had setup that would keep me from getting to know "certain" people.

I have also learned not to be overly trusting of anyone or any information that is presented to me, but rather take in who they are or what is being portrayed with the knowledge that I don't know the FULL story.

 

[Kakapo Dundee]

Serving in the Royal Navy changed my life forever.

 

[MoonOwl]

Finding my mom dead when I was 12 and then having to live w/my abusive sister & her husband changed me.

My gathering the courage to run away from that abuse changed me even further.

Finding out my dad wasn't dead (as my mom had said after their divorce) and going to live w/him changed me yet again. In good ways.

Finally having my husband come on to my path and our subsequent relationship showed me what hindsight is all about as had I done one thing differently, I'd have never met him.

Giving birth to PBBB made me a mom and changed me yet again. Ever-evolving I am :cool

 

[AUFred]

Finding my mom dead when I was 12 and then having to live w/my abusive sister & her husband changed me.

My gathering the courage to run away from that abuse changed me even further.

Finding out my dad wasn't dead (as my mom had said after their divorce) and going to live w/him changed me yet again. In good ways.

Finally having my husband come on to my path and our subsequent relationship showed me what hindsight is all about as had I done one thing differently, I'd have never met him.

Giving birth to PBBB made me a mom and changed me yet again. Ever-evolving I am :cool

We all are. Only the self-aware realize it.

 

[MoonOwl]

We all are. Only the self-aware realize it.

Tho, there are times I still act like I'm 4.:24::ninja hehehehehehehehehe........ I think the traumas I suffered stunted my growth. :thumbup