Life’s “Defining Moments”…

A Defining Moment is defined as “a point at which the essential nature or character of a person, group, etc., is revealed or identified; an occurrence that typifies or determines all related events that follow.” http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/defining+moment

Similar words include: crucial point, climax, crisis point, crossroads, do or die time, irreversible momentum, moment of truth, point of no return, or sink or swim time. http://thesaurus.com/browse/defining+moment

Other words include: life-changing events, milestones, insights, critical choices, unchangeable actions, opportunities, or misfortunes. http://reallifepurpose.org/what-are-defining-moments/

On his blog A Shift of Mind, Psychotherapist Mel Swartz discusses defining moments: “Defining moments occur when we direct our lives onto a new pathway, borne of an illuminating insight and an expanded awareness. Defining moments stand out in singularity and literally redefine our lives. If you can't identify defining moments in your life, you've likely lived by the rules of conformity and have been influenced by fear. Defining moments speak to the deeper underlying questions and struggles of our lives. Defining moments are the peak experiences of our lives when we come to recognize them as such.” http://melschwartz.com/DefiningMoments.html

Greg Nemer, in his article What Are Defining Moments? assesses defining moments: “A defining moment is a memorable, life changing decision, event, or action that alters the course of our life. Defining moments usually happen very quickly, sometimes in the blinking of an eye. Defining moments can easily be marked on your calendar. They are unalterable. They are memorable and you’ll usually remember the exact date and sometimes the exact hour that your defining moment occurred. Our choices help define these events. They are either negative or positive but rarely neutral.” http://reallifepurpose.org/what-are-defining-moments/

We all have had moments that have defined who we are. These moments have changed the trajectory of our lives.

For many, it may be: the birth of a child; marriage; graduation from High School or College, etc.

Several for me include:

• Being born…an identical triplet
• Giving my life to Christ by being baptized at age 11
• Not marrying my childhood sweetheart L
• Not going with my passion to be a Physician when starting college L
• The death of my older brothers, suddenly & tragically
• Betrayal by my best friend of 9 years
• Breaking up with my 2^nd fiance’ on March 26, 1990
• Going on a mission trip to Nigeria West Africa on November 1997
• Worshipping at Schrader Lane Church of Christ since February 26, 1993
• Getting diagnosed with MS on April 16, 2012
• Realization that I have been ignoring & denying my love and God-given talent for writing
• Allowing myself to be ME…the sensitive, sentimental, caring person who God created me to be

These moments have been happy, sad, devastating, humbling & inspiring. They have changed the course of my life & altered the way I see the world.

Wisdom dictates not wallowing in regrets. However, it is important to take time to reflect on these moments; where you are now; and where God is going to take you.

We all strive for that one defining moment, as described so vividly in Matthew 25:21(NKJV): “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’”