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Essays About Life-changing Experiences: 5 Examples

Discover our guide for writing essays about life-changing experiences that combine three different elements: narrative, description, and self-reflection. 

Each of us has gone through life-changing experiences that shaped us into the individuals we are today. Because of how powerful they are, these events make for fascinating topics in writing. This subject doesn’t only let us tell our life stories, and it also pushes us to evaluate our behavior and reflect on why an incident happened.

Attract your readers by creating an excellent introduction and choosing a unique or exciting encounter. Paint a picture of the events that describe your experience vividly and finish with a strong conclusion.

5 Essay Examples

1. long essay on experience that changed my life by prasanna, 2. life-changing events: personal experience by anonymous on studycorgi.com, 3. my example of a life-changing experience by anonymous on gradesfixer.com, 4. life-changing experience: death essay by writer annie, 5. a life-changing experience during the holiday season by anonymous on studymoose.com, 1. life-changing experience: defined, 2. the experience that changed my life, 3. life-changing events and how they impact lives, 4. everyday events that change a person’s life, 5. the person who change my life, 6. books or movies that changed my life, 7. a life-changing quote.

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“Experiences can be good and sometimes terrible that results in a positive or negative impact on one’s life. Life is full of many unexpected challenges and unknown turning points that will come along any time. People must learn and grow from every experience that they go through in life rather than losing yourself.”

In this essay, Prasanna discusses her father’s death as her most challenging life-changing experience. She was cheerful, immature, and carefree when her father was still alive. However, when her father left, she became the decision-maker of their family because her mother was unable to.

Prasanna mentions that she lost not only a father but also a friend, motivator, and mentor. That sad and unexpected experience turned her into an introverted, mature, and responsible head of the family. Ultimately, she thanks her father for making her a better person, and because of the devastating incident, she realizes who she can trust and how she should handle the real world. You might also be interested in these essays about choice .

“In life, certain experiences present challenges that change the way people relate to themselves and their families. Certain life events mark life-changing moments that alter lives either positively or negatively. It matters how people handle their relationships at such critical moments.”

This essay contains two life events that helped the author become a better person. These events taught them to trust and appreciate people, be responsible, and value family. The first event is when their best friend passes away, leading to stress, loss of appetite, and depression. The second circumstance happened when the author postponed their studies because they were afraid to grow up and be accountable for their decisions and actions.

The writer’s family showed them love, support, and understanding through these events. These events changed their behavior, attitude, and perspective on life and guided them to strengthen family relationships.

For help picking your next essay topic, check out our 20 engaging essay topics about family .

“I thought it was awkward because he looked and acted very professional. In that moment I thought to myself, ‘this person is going to have a great impact in my life!’. I was very curious to meet him and get a chance to show him my personality.”

This essay proves that you should always believe in yourself and not be afraid to try something new. The author recalls when they had many problems and met an extraordinary person who changed their life. 

When they were in sixth grade, the writer had life issues that caused them to be anxious about any future endeavor. The author then says they don’t usually open up to teachers because they fear their reactions. Then they met Mr. Salazar, a mentor who respects and values them, and the writer considers him their best friend.

“When the funeral was over and he was laid to rest, I had a feeling I can’t even describe. It was almost an empty feeling. I knew I had lost someone that could never be replaced.”

Annie never thought that she’d go through a life-changing experience until the sudden death of her father. Her thoughts and feelings are all over the place, and she has many unanswered questions. She says that although she will never wish for anyone to experience the same. However, her father’s passing improved her life in some ways.

Her mother remarried and introduced a new father figure, who was very kind to her. Living with her stepdad allowed her to explore and do things she thought she couldn’t. Annie still mourns the loss of her birth father, but she is also grateful to have a stepdad she can lean on. She gradually accepts that she can’t bring her birth father back.

“This story as a whole has really changed me and made me an even better person in life, I’m so thankful that this happened to me because now I have a greater appreciation for the little things in life.”

The essay shows how a simple interaction on a cold day in December can completely change a person’s view on life. It starts with the writer being asked a small favor of an older man with Alzheimer’s disease to help him find his car. This experience teaches the writer to be more observant and appreciative of the things they have. The author was inspired to spend more time with loved ones, especially their grandfather, who also has Alzheimer’s disease, as they learned never to take anything for granted.

7 Prompts for Essays About Life-changing Experiences

Everyone has their definition of a life-changing experience. But in general, it is an event or series of events profoundly altering a person’s thinking, feelings, and behavior. Use this prompt to explain your understanding of the topic and discuss how a simple action, decision, or encounter can change someone’s life. You might also be interested in these essays about yourself .

Essays about life-changing experiences: The Experience That Changed My Life

For this prompt, choose a specific memory that made you re-evaluate your views, values, and morals. Then, discuss the impact of this event on your life. For example, you can discuss losing a loved one, moving to another country, or starting a new school. Your conclusion must contain the main lessons you learned from the experience and how it can help the readers.

Various positive and negative life-changing experiences happen anytime and anywhere. Sometimes, you don’t notice them until they substantially disturb your everyday life. 

To begin your essay, interview people and ask about a momentous event that happened to them and how it influenced their way of living. Then, pick the most potent life-changing experience shared. Talk about what you’d do if you were in the same situation.

Some life-changing events include common things such as marriage, parenthood, divorce, job loss, and death. Research and discuss the most common experiences that transform a person’s life. Include real-life situations and any personal encounters for an intriguing essay.

It’s normal to meet other people, but connecting with someone who will significantly impact your life is a blessing. Use this prompt to discuss that particular person, such as a parent, close friend, or romantic partner. Share who they are and how you met them, and discuss what they did or said that made a big difference in your life. 

Movies like “The Truman Show” help change your viewpoint in life. They open our minds and provide ideas for dealing with our struggles. Share how you reached an epiphany by reading a book or watching a movie. Include if it’s because of a particular dialogue, character action, or scenes you can relate to.

Essays about life-changing experiences: A Life-changing Quote

While others use inspirational quotes for comfort and to avoid negative thinking, some find a quote that gives them the courage to make drastic changes to better their lives. For this prompt, search for well-known personalities who discovered a quote that motivated them to turn their life around.  Essay Tip: When editing for grammar, we also recommend spending time and effort to improve the readability score of your essay before publishing or submitting it.

Women writers on ‘the day my life changed’

To mark the 40th anniversary of rosie’s place, novelist alice hoffman asked 40 writers each to compose a 40-word essay on the theme..

From left, Rachel Dratch, Alysia Abbott, Elizabeth Strout. and Kim McLarin.

Introduction by Alice Hoffman

OUR LIVES often appear to be moving in one direction, and then, quite suddenly, a door opens and everything changes. A possibility arises, we daydream, we take a chance, we allow ourselves to feel joy. What’s on the other side of the open door becomes the moment that defines us and charts a new path. It could be almost anything. Suddenly we stop and make a turn. We imagine something completely different for ourselves. Something we never expected.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Rosie’s Place, a place where women are offered the chance to rewrite their destinies, we asked 40 women writers to share the day their lives changed. All are women who have had a connection to New England. Some live here, others went to school here or taught here, but all have New England in their hearts. Not one writer hesitated when asked if she could lend a hand to Rosie’s Place. The truth is, Rosie’s generosity is what we would all want for ourselves if we were the ones who needed a helping hand. The guests at Rosie’s are our sisters. That much is evident in a single visit. It easily could be you or me taking refuge in one of the guest rooms, enjoying a hot meal, meeting with volunteers and counselors to start the process of rebuilding our lives.

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How does a life change? We reach the door to our futures by chance, or by fate, or by design. We know something we didn’t before. We love someone new, or say goodbye. We pick up a book, or forgive someone. In truth there are many days that can change a person’s life, a series of events that add up to a future, but some are remembered more than any other. This is the day that sticks with us and reminds us of who we are and who we might still become. It’s the day that made us who we are.

essay about the day my life changed

Kim McLarin

I am 15 and my mother puts me on a plane to a place I’ve never been to live among people I do not know. “No,” I beg. “It’s for your own good,” she orders. Mostly she was right. Mostly.

essay about the day my life changed

Elizabeth Strout

I moved from a small apartment in Brooklyn over the bridge to Manhattan. I was alone. I was scared. I was 50. It was not how I had thought my life would be. Everything was different after that.

essay about the day my life changed

Rachel Dratch

Forty-three years old and I had let go of the idea of motherhood. And now — was this some sort of early menopause? Friend says, “Maybe you’re pregnant!” I laugh. Then: Two lines means . . . preg-WHAT!? Mind blown, world rocked, life made.

essay about the day my life changed

Elinor Lipman

Widowed, I joined Match.com. Rather embarrassing, believe me. One day I clicked on a profile. Last book he’d read? My latest. I’m stunned. We dated platonically (his choice) for months. Finally, a declaration! I needed no convincing. Nomance became romance.

essay about the day my life changed

Jodi Picoult

As the car careened wildly through Hurricane Bob, all I could think was: My baby is coming too early. That’s how life works: Sometimes the unexpected becomes reality. I wasn’t ready for my son, but he was ready for me.

essay about the day my life changed

Jill Lepore

We were very young. He had cats. I had a dog. We lived in the same apartment building, each alone, on the same floor, each too shy to say hello. We met when, in the end, my animal chased his.

essay about the day my life changed

Susan Orlean

I wrote a sentence and it seemed to sing. I wrote another. Someone read it and heard it sing, too. You know, I think I could really get hooked on this, I thought to myself. And now I can’t stop!

essay about the day my life changed

Julia Alvarez

August 6, 1960: the bittersweet day my family arrived in New York City. Bitter, because we had left our homeland; sweet, because we had escaped the dictatorship; bittersweet, in balance, when I learned this English and could tell the story.

essay about the day my life changed

Jill McCorkle

A dear friend was near the end of a long battle with breast cancer and I was overwhelmed by my upcoming move. She came armed with mop and broom and hours to give. She said: Don’t keep anything you can live without.

essay about the day my life changed

Alysia Abbott

The day of my father’s funeral, I took the stage and read aloud. Though barely 22, I was able to command the room with only my voice. It was then I knew, not only could I do this, I loved doing this.

essay about the day my life changed

Lee Woodruff

When I began to comprehend that the bomb in Iraq had injured not just my husband, but our entire family, a powerful spirit of resilience began to awaken in me. Human beings are built to survive incredible things.

essay about the day my life changed

Anita Diamant

The letters of the alphabet were displayed above the blackboard in my first-grade class. My life changed the day I saw how those lines and squiggles made Jane run and Spot bark, and the world became an open book.

essay about the day my life changed

Madeline Miller

My first day of teaching. I remember looking out at my students and realizing what a profound responsibility they were entrusting me with — and that I’d better be worthy of it. Fifteen years later, they still fill me with awe.

essay about the day my life changed

Helen Elaine Lee

I did not know, when I first boarded the long yellow school bus to go from my black Detroit neighborhood toward the academic opportunities of wealthy, white, suburban territory, that I would be ever in between, and belong to neither place.

essay about the day my life changed

Laura Zigman

On a cold January afternoon, while watching my son eat a gyro with his little Peruvian hat on, my mother called. When she said pancreas and mass, I knew I’d just gotten the call I’d spent my whole life dreading.

essay about the day my life changed

When I was a single mother working in day care, I bought a tiny house, borrowing the down payment ($8,000 then!). A friend cosigned the mortgage and I rented out rooms to pay everyone back, but it was mine — my home, my son’s home — and it changed everything.

essay about the day my life changed

Maria Flook

My son has cancer. He wears a survivor’s mask to any public place. Yesterday, a hospital security guard asked me, “Are you lost?’’ I said, “I’m with him.” From behind his mask, Harry asked him, “Can’t you see the resemblance?

Luanne Rice

First I had to see the truth and call it by name. I was scared, but I opened the door and walked through. It’s not that I haven’t looked back: I have, but over my shoulder as I’ve kept on moving.

essay about the day my life changed

An October morning, 12 years ago. I stood at the door of a knitting store wondering if a home ec failure like me could learn to knit my way through grief and back to hope. K2P2. Ah! Joy! Ah! Life!

essay about the day my life changed

My life changed the day my first child, a girl, was born. I was about to turn 21. Those two blue eyes looked up at me and I realized that my heart would never again be entirely my own.

Elizabeth Berg

When I was 19, I met a young man my age who was dying. I was not able to help him, but he helped me: He showed me the fragility of life, and made me want to celebrate it, always.

essay about the day my life changed

Mameve Medwed

Two bleeding-heart liberals meet on a blind date 15 years after they’ve attended the same nursery school. They hear Barry Goldwater, the only entertainment in Bangor, Maine that night. Married for nearly half a century, they have never voted Republican.

Megan Marshall

Cambridge, 1974: A college dropout, I worked in an office with five other secretaries, all women longing for . . . something more, we didn’t know what. The power and frustration we felt together made us, one by one, quit to find out.

essay about the day my life changed

Domenica Ruta

At 4 I was trusted to field my mother’s calls. My nonna’s voice laughing: “Put my daughter on the phone, please.” My heart leapt. My mother had a mother? My grandmother had a daughter? An infinity exploded between my ear and the telephone that day.

Perri Klass

Back to Foulke. Red Sox fans have longed to hear it: “The Boston Red Sox are World Champions!” History is prologue; victory is sweet.

essay about the day my life changed

Margot Livesey

On a wintry day, on a windswept island, I had lunch with S-, a woman I scarcely knew. I was so nervous my hand trembled as I ate and we talked. Our deep friendship has lasted more than 30 years.

essay about the day my life changed

Barbara Shapiro

At the last minute Robin asks me to stay. I see the head crowning. Swirls of shiny black hair, then abruptly a full child, slightly blue, quickly rosy, a short cry, curious eyes. My daughter’s daughter in my arms. Emma.

essay about the day my life changed

When I met my agent, Stephanie Abou, she said, “I’m offering you a contract but first I want to hug you.” Her belief in my books made it possible for them to get out into the world. I’m forever grateful!”

Anita Shreve

Before my daughter was born, I believed that if my father died, I would die. I was 33, old enough to know such a thing could not be true. But it wasn’t until I saw her tiny face that I knew I would live to be her mother.

“There it is,” said the midwife, pointing to the ultrasound monitor. “The heartbeat, it’s still there.” And I saw it, what a light show, a blinking SOS from a faint little soul. I am here. I am here. I am here.

In the space of a few years, I sat on a bed, crying, holding hands with my dying mentor, then my dying mother, then my dying father. I miss them all every day and every day I am glad I had that chance.

essay about the day my life changed

Claire Messud

Forty days nil by mouth, not compos mentis, my father was drowning in pneumonia. We refused a third intubation; they gave him 90 minutes to live. Somehow — drugs? the divine? — he rallied, breathed, returned. Two more beautiful years: Grace.

essay about the day my life changed

Jayne Anne Phillips

December 27th, 1984, after two days of labor that began Christmas night, my doctor said, “Here he is! Reach down and catch him!” I looked into my son’s eyes and began the ultimate, blessed surrender.

essay about the day my life changed

Maryanne O’Hara

It is 1985, she is 2 years old, and finally diagnosed. Life splits apart, becomes Before / and /After, yet—who knew that /After would turn out to be such a gift? A daily, renewable reminder. This day, this moment—this.

essay about the day my life changed

Connie Mae Fowler

At 18, I told my dying mother, “I love you.” She responded, “You go to hell.” Now, three decades later, I insist on remembering her parting words differently. I am sad. I don’t want to go. I love you, too.

Rishi Reddi

Unforgotten days: my Cousin’s death, my Daughter’s birth, the Love Story’s failure — when a door closed, a window opened. The next morning, I was different but the same. With a bit more Knowing, perhaps some Hope. Even those are precious.

essay about the day my life changed

Suzanne Matson

One night when I was 14, my father woke up and began losing himself, pacing the halls and covering the windows. It was nothing anyone could fix. His memories gradually floated loose, I caught them, and that became my work.

essay about the day my life changed

Elizabeth Graver

I must have been 5 or so when I learned to read, the black marks on the page aligning first into sound, then into sense, and then (in my memory, it happened suddenly, a seismic shift) I could go anywhere, borne by words.

essay about the day my life changed

Shirley Leung

Nine months, 24 hours of labor, three hours of pushing. The moment I became a mother could not come soon enough. That first touch of your first born, warm and wet, washing over you like a Hawaiian surf.

essay about the day my life changed

I couldn’t walk without pain. A healer massaged my neck and shoulders, pressed down, and asked me to slowly turn my head. Crunching noises filled my neck, and suddenly the pain was gone. Now I become grounded by massaging others.

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An Experience That Changed My Life Essay | Life Changing Experiences, Long and Short Essays on Life Changing Experiences

October 1, 2021 by Prasanna

Experience That Changed My Life Essay: It is rightly said that ‘Experience is the best teacher.’ Experience teaches a lot more things. Life gives you many experiences and certain experiences in your life can impact you a lot. In life we all have faced some or the other experience that has changed the way we perceive things. Through these life lessons we can learn a lot about ourselves and how strong we can be in difficult situations and circumstances.

You can also find more  Essay Writing  articles on events, persons, sports, technology and many more.

Long Essay on Experience that Changed My Life 500 Words in English

Sometimes things are out of our control and we can’t do anything about it. Experiences can be good and sometimes terrible that results in a positive or negative impact on one’s life. Life is full of many unexpected challenges and unknown turning points that will come along any time. People must learn and grow from every experience that they go through in life rather than losing yourself. Change is a part of life. Life gives many experiences almost every day.

An experience that changed my life was on 21st August 2004. One of my biggest life changing experiences was the time when I lost my father suddenly. Till that very day I was a very immature and jolly person. I don’t know what the worries were. I was the eldest one in my family. But as we lost the head of our family life took a new turning point in my life I had to take charge of all the decisions made which I had never done before. My mother was not in a state to understand anything. I started making big decisions even about finances, about our house and many more.

When my father died, my life had changed completely. I lost him in my own lap. He took his last breath and it was very heartbreaking. Accepting his loss was one of the hardest things that I’ve ever had to do. It was very hard because it was unpredictable. I let all my emotions out, because I had to remember to take care of myself and my family too. Now it was the time for me to be more responsible.

His death made me an introvert, more responsible, think for myself and my family, and see things differently. Now that he is gone, I have to take charge of many things. My father was my counselor, my friend, my guidance, and most of all my motivator. I feel completely lonely without him.

I also experienced how people were falsely claiming that he is a family member of theirs and they will take care of me and my family, but two weeks after the cremation they were the same as before with no sympathy. I finally got a glimpse of the real world who are my real well wishers and who are not. Looking back at all of this I realized how important my father was to me. Now I am a more focused and responsible person. I still feel my father lives through me. Even though my father is gone he still guides me at each and every point of life. His death made me an introvert, think for myself and my family, and live life practically. I wish I could thank him for making me a better person. It was his inspirations which made me handle things in a proper way.

Short Essay on Experience that Changed My Life

According to me, experiences are very important to forge our personality over time. From very childhood I grew up in a nurturing and loving environment where I always felt safe and loved. My parents always made me feel important. I was a stubborn child. I used to throw tantrums if things didn’t go my way. I was a very demanding child as well, though my mother loved me unconditionally. My mother was very patient and compassionate and used to explain things so well to make me understand why things couldn’t always be how I wanted them to be. But as a child I never wanted to understand her preachings. But then once on a school trip to an orphanage totally changed my view towards life.

Orphanage is the place where the orphans (children who are homeless having no parents) are taken care of.

Once when I was in Grade 4 our school planned an educational trip to an orphanage institute.We were asked to bring whatever we wanted to donate. My mother gave me some of my old toys, clothes and some sweets. We collected a good amount of material to distribute.

As we entered the orphanage all the kids gathered in a hall. There were children of all ages. They strayed at us with eyes full of hope. We were asked to distribute the things and spent some time with them. They were so excited to receive these old things. In conversation with them we came to know that they have only two to three dresses to wear. One plate and a bowl for their food. Even the food served to them was always the same and limited. They don’t have many varieties of food to eat. They have toys in common to play with. These children don’t know the meaning of love, care and affection. They cannot demand for anything. The plight of every child was so miserable.I realised all my mistakes. I realised fortunate I am to receive all the luxury.

I never liked it when my parents reprimanded me for not studying properly, when I made blunders, when I didn’t listen to them but there was a concern behind every word that they said. They took care of me at every juncture of my lives no matter what their condition.

But I felt so sorry for these children because they are lacking all those words of care, anger, and love.

Visiting the orphanage is a life changing experience for me. From that day I started appreciating the little things in life. I never demanded for unexpected things. I feel like helping every needy person.

I also started understanding my mother’s preachings and with her help, over time, I learned how to deal with my emotions and situations and these experiences shaped my behavior and personality.

I feel extremely fortunate that I have parents with me and they provide me all the luxury. I am thankful to them.

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The Day My Life Changed, Essay Example

Pages: 2

Words: 586

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When my mother died, my life changed completely. All my life, I had never imagined what would happen if my mother was to die. When it happened, I suddenly, I realized I was the only person who should take the responsibility of offering moral, financial and psychological support to everyone at home, including my 16 year-old sister.

My mother’s death brought about very many changes in my entire life. All of a sudden, I had to stand and become the head of the family. Although this task seemed very challenging, I had no option but do what I had to do in order to ensure that our family was always provided for. The days ahead promised to be difficult. I had to mourn her death as well as learn so many lessons and apply them within no time. Suddenly, I realized what my mother had been going through when she was bringing us up. I realized what it was like to be a mother. At this point, a sudden wave of loneliness hit me and a cried for a very long time.

Life was complicated by the fact that I had just settled into married life and even had a kid. My mother’s death came when I was already trying to adapt into married life. This seemed to be a real challenge since I was also deeply worried about my music career prospects.

My sister was more affected by my mother’s death than I was. In fact, she is the one that made me see the sense in assuming the role of a parent as soon as possible after my mother’s death. I also got encouragement from relatives, friends, neighbors and well-wishers. During the first week after her death, I would spend long hours thinking about the tasks that lay ahead and whether or not I would be able to achieve them.

Immediately my mother died, I realized that I had taken many things for granted in life. When she lived, my mother often used to advise me about setting priorities right. It was her counsel that propelled me into facing the daily family problems that my sister, my husband and I were facing. The immediate problems arose partly because of my mother’s death after a short illness and partly because I perceived myself not to be doing enough to do what a person of my age should do under my circumstances.

My mother had always wanted us all to relocate to New York. In fact, two weeks before her death, she had rented an apartment in the outskirts of the city. I had accompanied her when she went to New York to ensure that everything was in the right place before we relocated. She had hoped that within a month’s time, we would have moved. I took it upon myself to ensure that mother’s wish came true. I did not underestimate the difficulty of the task but I did not cry helplessly over it. Instead, I rose to the challenge.

It is three weeks since my mother died and we still have not relocated. The delay was brought by the fact that I had to first look for an appropriate high school for my sister so that relocating would not interrupt her studies. My husband has been very supportive and he assures me that we have to move into the new home tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. Meanwhile, I am learning more and more lessons about how to be a mother every passing day and it is far from easy.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Change — The Moment that Changed Everything: Personal Experience

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The Moment that Changed Everything: Personal Experience

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Updated: 20 October, 2023

Words: 520 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Works Cited

  • Davis, R. D., & Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2001). Cognitive processes in depression. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 27(1), 107-126.
  • Eby, L. T., Casper, W. J., Lockwood, A., Bordeaux, C., & Brinley, A. (2005). Work and family research in IO/OB: Content analysis and review of the literature (1980–2002). Journal of Vocational Behavior, 66(1), 124-197.
  • Healey, J. F., & Zimmerman, J. (2017). Statistics for Psychology. Cengage Learning.
  • Kessler, R. C., & McLeod, J. D. (1985). Social support and mental health in community samples. In Social support: Theory, research and applications (pp. 219-240). Springer.
  • Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. Springer publishing company.
  • Liu, Y., & Huang, Z. (2019). Why do people procrastinate? A review of six main theories. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 1460.
  • Luthans, F., & Youssef, C. M. (2007). Emerging positive organizational behavior. Journal of Management, 33(3), 321-349.
  • Peterson, C. (2000). The future of optimism. American Psychologist, 55(1), 44-55.
  • Scheier, M. F., & Carver, C. S. (1993). On the power of positive thinking: The benefits of being optimistic. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 2(1), 26-30.
  • Seligman, M. E. (2002). Authentic happiness: Using the new positive psychology to realize your potential for lasting fulfillment. Simon and Schuster.

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essay about the day my life changed

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At the Jerusalem synagogue where Hersh Goldberg-Polin danced in life, grief and anger reign after his death

essay about the day my life changed

JERUSALEM — Three hundred and thirty-two days after Hersh Goldberg-Polin danced in the courtyard next to his Jerusalem synagogue on the holiday of Simchat Torah, more than a thousand people gathered there in grief and prayer to mourn his murder by Hamas terrorists in Gaza.

During the Sunday night vigil, the courtyard railings were lined with oversized yellow ribbons to symbolize advocacy for the hostages, Hapoel Jerusalem soccer flags — the 23-year-old’s favorite team — and posters that read, “We love you, stay strong, survive,” a mantra coined by his mother, Rachel Goldberg-Polin.

Just hours earlier, one of the posters had been hanging over the balcony of the home of Shira Ben-Sasson, a leader of Hakhel, the Goldberg-Polins’ egalitarian congregation in the Baka neighborhood of Jerusalem.

“We were sure we would take it down when he came home,” Ben-Sasson said.

The community wanted to unite while respecting the Goldberg-Polins’ desire for privacy, she said, prompting them to organize the prayer gathering.

“But it’s like a Band-Aid or giving first aid, it’s what you do in an emergency. I don’t know how we go on after this,” she said.

essay about the day my life changed

A covered courtyard at the Hakhel congregation was filled with mourners the day after Hersh Goldberg-Polin, whose family are prominent members, was found to have been killed in Gaza. Hundreds of other people crowded outside the gates, Sept. 1, 2024. (Deborah Danan)

She added that the community, which has a large contingent of English-speaking immigrants, was not prepared for the High Holidays, which begin in about a month. She said, “Seeing his empty seat is hard.”

For Ben-Sasson, who wore a T-shirt bearing the Talmudic dictum “There is no greater mitzvah than the redeeming of captives,” the tragedy is especially painful because, she said, it could have been avoided with a ceasefire agreement that freed hostages.

“Hersh was alive 48 hours ago. We think a deal could have saved him. There is no military solution to this,” she said.

That feeling of bereavement, often mixed with betrayal, pervaded gatherings across Israel on Sunday, as the country struggled with the news that six hostages who may have been freed in an agreement were now dead as negotiations continue to stall. Speakers at protests in Tel Aviv blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who himself apologized for not getting the hostages out alive but blamed Hamas for obstructing a deal. The country’s labor union, the Histadrut, has called a national strike on Monday to demand a deal.

A rare early September rain lashed parts of Israel on Sunday, leading to a widespread interpretation: God, too, was weeping.

Some at the Jerusalem gathering, including the relative of another former hostage, said Netanyahu had chosen defeating Hamas over freeing the captives.

essay about the day my life changed

Josef Avi Yair Engel’s grandson Ofir was released from Hamas captivity in November. He paid tribute to Hersh Goldberg-Polin, murdered in captivity, in Jerusalem, Sept. 1, 2024. (Deborah Danan)

Josef Avi Yair Engel, whose grandson Ofir, 18, was released from Hamas captivity in November during that month’s ceasefire deal, expressed shock over Hersh’s murder but said he was not surprised, given the wartime policies of Netanyahu’s government.

“We knew months ago this was going to happen. Bibi’s formula, to dismantle Hamas and return the hostages, wasn’t logical. It’s an either/or situation,” Engel said, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname. “He’s tearing the country apart. I’m afraid that in the coming months there won’t be a state at all.”

Engel said he felt a close bond with Hersh’s father Jon Polin, not only because of their joint activism in the hostage families’ tent outside the Prime Minister’s Residence, but also because of their shared identity as Jerusalemites.

“There aren’t many of us in the hostage circle,” he said. “We’re like family.”

Sarah Mann, who did not know the family personally, said the weekend’s tragedy reminded her of Oct. 7.

“This day has sparks of the seventh, which created numbness and an inability to talk. Just complete shock,” she said.

essay about the day my life changed

Mourners left notes at a gathering at Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s family synagogue in Jerusalem. Many of the messages used the Hebrew word for “sorry.” (Deborah Danan)

Part of the reason for that, Mann said, was Rachel, who she described as a “force of faith.” Goldberg-Polin’s mother emerged as the most prominent advocate for the hostages globally and became a symbol in her own right as she crisscrossed the world calling for her son’s freedom.

“Millions of people around the world held onto her. Once that was cut, people’s ability to hold onto faith was knocked out today. But even though this has shattered us, we need to keep holding onto God,” Mann said.

For Susi Döring Preston, the day called to mind was not Oct. 7 but Yom Kippur, and its communal solemnity.

She said she usually steers clear of similar war-related events because they are too overwhelming for her.

“Before I avoided stuff like this because I guess I still had hope. But now is the time to just give in to needing to be around people because you can’t hold your own self up any more,” she said, tears rolling down her face. “You need to feel the humanity and hang onto that.”

Like so many others, Döring Preston paid tribute to the Goldberg-Polins’ tireless activism. “They needed everyone else’s strength but we drew so much strength from them and their efforts, “she said. “You felt it could change the outcome. But war is more evil than good. I think that’s the crushing thing. You can do everything right, but the outcome is still devastating.”

essay about the day my life changed

Guy Gordon, with his daughter Maya, added a broken heart to the piece of tape he has worn daily to mark the number of days since the hostage crisis began, Sept. 1, 2024. (Deborah Danan)

Guy Gordon, a member of Hakhel who moved to Israel from Dublin, Ireland, in the mid-1990s, said the efforts towards ensuring Hersh’s safe return have been an anchor for the community during the war. The community knew him as the family described him in its announcement of his funeral on Tuesday, as “a child of light, love and peace” who enjoyed exploring the world and coming home to his family, including his parents and younger sisters, Leebie and Orly.

“It gave us something to hope for, and pray for and to demonstrate for,” he said. “We had no choice but to be unreasonably optimistic. Tragically it transpired that he survived until the very end.”

Gordon, like many others in the crowd, wore a piece of duct tape marked with the number of days since Oct. 7 — a gesture initiated by Goldberg-Polin’s mother. Unlike on previous days, though, his tape also featured a broken red heart beside the number.

Nadia Levene, a family friend, also reflected on the improbability of Hersh’s survival.

“He did exactly what his parents begged him to do. He was strong. He did survive. And look what happened,” Levene said.

She hailed Rachel Goldberg-Polin’s “unwavering strength and belief in God,” adding, “There were times I lost faith. I suppose I was angry with God. But she just kept inspiring us all to pray, pray, pray.”

essay about the day my life changed

Leah Silver of Jerusalem examined stickers showing Rachel Goldberg-Polin’s mantra for her son Hersh, who was murdered in captivity in Gaza, at a gathering after Hersh’s death, Sept. 1, 2024. (Deborah Danan)

Jerusalem resident Leah Silver rejected politicizing the hostages’ deaths.

“Everything turns political so quickly. I came here because I felt that before all the protests, we need to just mourn for a moment and to pray. And show respect for each other,” she said. “We’ve become confused about who the enemy is. It’s very sad.”

But not everyone at the gathering joined in to sing Israel’s national anthem at the closing of the prayer gathering.

“I’m sorry, I can’t sing ‘Hatikvah,'” Reza Green, a Baka resident who did not know the Goldberg-Polins personally, said. “I’m too angry. We shouldn’t be here.”

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English Summary

Short Essay on The Day I Decided to Change My Life

Most people reach a point in their lives where they decide to quit living life like a Frisbee. For me, it seemed like forever. If this were a �Pirates of the Caribbean� classic, my take-home advice would be an endearing Jack Sparrow�s quote, �The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem. Do you understand?�  � and I�ll tell you why.

His wisdom was so profound that you couldn�t help but be in awe of him. I�d learnt so much from him that writing a 500-word essay on my discoveries would be microscopic; yet, he had more to teach. He had seen it all, so of course, he had a lot to say.

As with any other Grandparents, there were a few things Pa expected his granddaughter to do. You were supposed to go to school, play with other children, and smile at others. “Smile,” he said, “It will make you feel better about yourself.” Yes, I did smile � on the outside, at least. On the inside, I would retreat, my face flushed with embarrassment. That was my early life.

To avoid embarrassment, I would often repeat myself, which dented most of my relationships. This struggle would make me quiet or defiant in school � something I resolved to overcome in my early twenties. I was sick of being called a �Bombay freak.� I wanted to be seen and heard, but that wouldn�t happen if I continued down this unforgiving course. And then the day came.

One faithful morning, shortly after I had returned from a suspension, I was discussing the impact of conflict resolution on my life with my high school instructor when the conversation began to seep into my consciousness. A deep-seated hunger, coupled with my innate curiosity, compelled me to think differently.

As Mrs Eileen Evans continued, I realized what Pa Daa-Daa-Jee meant about smiling, a formidable trait that fosters long-lasting relationships. While alive, his words enthralled me; yet, I struggled to comprehend them. Now they shone like a beacon in the dark. At that point, I made a U-turn. Today, I can honestly say that I�m living my best life. Anytime I�m in a rough patch, I ask myself, �What would Pa do?�

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  • Essay on Memorable Day of My Life

500 Words Essay On Memorable Day of My Life

We have different types of days in our lives, some are ordinary while some are special. There are some days that get etched in our memories forever. Likewise, I also have a memorable day of my life that is very dear to me. The memories of this day are engraved in my heart and will remain so forever.

memorable day of my life

My Birthday- Memorable Day of My Life

My tenth birthday is the most memorable day of my life. It is a day I can never forget and I consider it to be the best birthday yet. The day started just like any other normal day. However, as it kept progressing, a lot of exciting things began to happen.

I woke up very early on my birthday because I had to dress up in casual clothes for school . The day before, all my candies were ready that I would distribute in the classroom.

My mother prepared my favourite breakfast and gave me a big chocolate bar for lunch as well. I went to school and the whole class sang for me and congratulated me. It was the turn to distribute sweets.

My best friend and I went to all the teachers to distribute toffees and we had a great time there. Moreover, it was an incredible feeling. My friends were all singing for me and eager to come to my birthday party later in the evening.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

My Birthday Party

The birthday at my school was memorable but the birthday party at my home made the day even more memorable. Also, my mother invited all my friends from school and the colony to the party.

I received so many presents and we played a lot of games. We played games like musical chairs, tag, egg-and-spoon races, and more. There were so many songs playing so everyone did a special dance too.

The highlight of my birthday party was definitely my huge birthday cake. As I love superheroes, my mother got the cake customized with the superhero theme. It was very tasty too and in my favourite flavour.

I spent a lot of time with my family and friends that day. Everyone liked the return gifts as well and went home with a big smile on their faces.

Conclusion of Essay on Memorable Day of My Life

Therefore, my tenth birthday is the most memorable day of my life. It has given me so many happy memories that will remain with me forever. That day makes me feel blessed and lucky to have all those things in my life.

FAQ on Essay on Memorable Day of My Life

Question 1: What is the meaning of a memorable day?

Answer 1:   When we say memorable, we refer to something that we cannot forget easily or something that left us excited. A memorable day is a day that one can recall easily as it is engraved in the memory.

Question 2: What can be an example of a memorable day?

Answer 2: Some people consider their birthday to be the most memorable day. While some consider it a family trip too. Similarly, some people may find their school picnic or fete to be the most memorable day.

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Nikki Haley says 'diminished' 'unhinged' Trump is 'not the same person' she backed in 2016

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley defended her past support of Donald Trump while deepening her criticism of her main rival for the GOP nomination, arguing that the former president is “more diminished than he was.”

In an interview with TODAY co-host Craig Melvin that aired Feb. 14, Haley made a generational argument for her presidential candidacy, swiping at both Trump and President Joe Biden to argue that they are both “diminished.” And she justified her past support for Trump, during both his two previous presidential campaigns and her service in his administration, by saying he has changed since then.

“During the time that I was in the administration, I called him out every single time,” Haley said, arguing that her past support for Trump wasn’t unconditional. “If something was wrong — I had a conversation with him about Charlottesville, I had a conversation about something that he would say about women, I had a conversation with him about multiple things.

“The problem now is he is not the same person he was in 2016,” she continued. “He is unhinged; he is more diminished than he was, just like Joe Biden’s more diminished than what he was.

“We have to see this for what it is,” Haley added. “This is a fact: He is now saying things that don’t make sense.”

Both Haley and Trump have turned the temperature up as she looks to mount a come-from-behind victory in the GOP presidential nominating fight — and Trump looks to end the contest.

In recent weeks, Haley has repeatedly called Trump “ unhinged ,” accused him of  cozying up to Russian President Vladimir Putin , criticized him for  confusing her with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi  and declared him “ not qualified “ to serve as president, among other criticisms.

But her comments on Feb. 14 were among her bluntest yet, as she warned against a potential campaign she characterized as one between a former president who could no longer handle the job and a current president who can’t, either.

“You’ve got Joe Biden, where the  special counsel said he was diminished , and he’s not the Joe Biden he was two years ago,” Haley said. “You’ve got a Donald Trump who’s unhinged, and he’s more unhinged than he ever was. And why are we settling for that when the country is in disarray and the world is on fire?

“We don’t want these two old men running. We want someone who’s going to go and fight for us and work for us, with no drama, no vendettas.”

Haley’s justification, that the Trump running now is different from the one she used to support, is also an attempt to explain how she moved from serving in Trump’s Cabinet and defending him from past criticism.

She cited reporting that Trump called fallen soldiers  “losers” and “suckers”  as she castigated him as someone  who didn’t respect the military .

But in 2020, she called on Biden to  take down a tweet citing those comments  because “all of us who worked with [Trump] witnessed the tremendous amount of love and respect he has for our military. He was determined to protect them.”

Throughout the interview, Haley repeatedly cited Americans’ discomfort with Biden and Trump, sentiments borne out across a slew of polling,  including NBC News’ . But the totality of polling also shows Trump well ahead of Haley in the GOP nominating fight, both in Haley’s home state, South Carolina, the next state with a high-profile nominating contest, and across the country, where the election will shift in early March.

In the middle of a campaign swing through her home state, Haley repeatedly pushed back against the idea that Trump’s victories in the first three nominating contests and her position in the polls signal Trump is on a glide path to the nomination.

“We’re going to be competitive in South Carolina, then we’re headed to Michigan, then we’re headed to Super Tuesday,” she said.

“We don’t pick kings. We don’t do coronations. We have a democracy where people vote,” Haley continued before adding, “Why would I get out as long as we keep it competitive?”

Haley talked up her performances, saying: “Don’t discount that I defeated a dozen fellas. Don’t discount that I ended up with 20% in Iowa when y’all said I wouldn’t make it. Don’t discount that I got 43% New Hampshire, and don’t discount me now.

“I’m doing this because we have a country to save,” she added. “I’m not doing this for my political career. I’m not doing this for any sort of gig. I’m doing this because our country deserves better. And I’m not going to stop fighting until I know I’ve done everything I can to save her.”

While Haley was critical of primary polls showing her trailing Trump, she pointed to polling that shows her performing  better against Biden  than Trump in a hypothetical general election. And Haley criticized the idea that staying in would only sap Republican resources that could be used to help defeat Democrats in the fall.

“Resources, from a man who spent $50 million of his own campaign contributions  on his personal court cases , where the RNC is broke — I’m the one hurting the resources?” Haley said.

“If the Republican Party wants to be saved, I’m the one that saves the Republican Party,” she continued.

As a condition for appearing in the Republican National Committee’s sanctioned debates, Haley and the other GOP candidates signed pledges to back the party’s eventual nominee. And during the first debate, Haley  raised her hand  when the Fox News moderators asked who would still support Trump if he won the nomination but was “convicted in a court of law.”

Pressed about how she squares her comments that Trump is “not qualified” to serve as president with her pledge to support him if he wins the nomination, Haley quickly reiterated her pledge before she pivoted to criticizing Trump’s electability.

“Every Republican nominee signed a pledge before they could even get on the debate stage that said if we were not the nominee, would we support the nominee. And I said yes, and I stand by that,” Haley said.

At the same time, she went on, “I know the American people are not going to vote for a convicted criminal.”

This story originally appeared on NBCNews.com .

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I moved from the UK to Australia after a divorce and extreme burnout. I'm unbelievably happy with my life change.

  • Ruth Faulkner was working up to 60-hour weeks when her marriage ended and she then became pregnant.
  • She decided to make a change, start her own business, and begin a new life in Australia.
  • Now, she lives with friends near the beach and feels this is the life she was always meant to live.

Insider Today

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Ruth Faulkner , a 34-year-old digital nomad based in Australia. It's been edited for length and clarity.

I'm a digital nomad currently based in Adelaide, South Australia.

I trained as a journalist in London and started my career reporting at the Olympics in 2012 and 2016. I moved into content for Accenture and then joined a creative agency called Tonic, first as an account director and then as head of content.

In December 2023, I started my business, Toucan Content, specializing in content and communications strategy.

My marriage fell apart in 2022, and work became difficult

Two years ago, I dealt with my marriage ending while trying to show up daily for my large portfolio of clients at Tonic. I decided not to take leave when I probably needed to.

I was working to distract myself from my personal life. I even took on additional after-hours study of an MBA essentials course to secure my role on the senior leadership team.

I hit a wall and sunk into a frozen depressive episode . One day that December, I woke up and couldn't get out of bed or stop crying. I finally decided to take two weeks of mental health leave and start counseling. Most importantly, I gave myself some space to acknowledge my feelings.

The next challenge hit just as I was getting my feet under me

In March 2023, I had an unplanned positive pregnancy test result. At that time — unhappy, unwell, living in a shared house, and not in a long-term relationship — the decision to have an abortion was clear.

I chose what was right for me and my body, but the process was mentally draining.

After so much had happened so quickly, I needed change. I had spent my entire career putting all my energy into working for others. I often worked 50- 60-hour weeks and neglected any concept of work-life balance .

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My last day of corporate work was in December 2023, and I began working for myself.

I decided to move to Australia

I grew up in a working-class background on the Isle of Wight . Coming from somewhere so small, seeing the world became a big priority as I became financially secure.

Between the ages of 22 and 30, I traveled to over 30 countries, most of which were with my ex-husband. Now, I want to travel solo .

I have very close friends in Australia, so I decided to move there to be with them in January. Finalizing a divorce, starting a business, moving across the world — dealing with just one of these things is emotionally and mentally exhausting. Facing all three felt like psychological overload at times.

This transition has been difficult but exciting. It feels like a new chapter of growth after trauma and disruption.

I took my business with me

I'm on a working holiday visa, which is easy to manage. Working for myself still requires energy and long hours, but only I determine the flow of my days.

One of the hardest things about dealing with the last two years was feeling like I couldn't speak openly in the workplace for fear of being judged or seen as unprofessional. Living with pain and trauma in secret makes you feel even more alone.

Now, my business values are being human and open in communications. I share my story regularly, and my clients work with me knowing exactly who I am and what I stand for.

I have three freelancers who work with me part-time and wider freelance contacts I can embed into my team if a particular client project requires it.

There is no typical day

I live with my friends in Port Noarlunga near the beach. There are some cultural differences between the UK and Australia, but they've mostly felt minor. I think the stand-out one is a positive in that Australians seem to respect and embrace work-life balance.

I start my day late and slowly, catching up on all the emails and messages from overnight. I'm often undisturbed during the day.

Often, at about 3 p.m., I take a break and go for a walk on the beach before the UK gets online. In the evening, I take calls and meetings with the UK, collaborating with my clients and partners. I try to wrap up by 10 p.m. I've always been a night owl , and this suits me perfectly.

Part of becoming a digital nomad is trying to see more of the world, and I try to embrace this by prioritizing time outdoors and exploring.

I'm unbelievably happy with my life change

I feel like I've embraced and accepted myself instead of trying to fit into a box.

I do miss my family. My parents live in France, my grandparents are in the UK, and my friends are across Europe. With the time difference, cost, and time required for travel, Australia can feel far away from everything, but so far, my life here outweighs this.

I'm the best me now. It feels like I was always supposed to do this. I know there are tough sides to running a business, but autonomy has been the most joyous thing. The 9-5 schedule is not conducive to feeling energetic to me. Work flows with my energy more naturally now.

As for what's next, I plan to go to Bali in 2025 and train to be a yoga teacher. I also hope to travel around Australia and the Asia Pacific more widely.

Watch: How the last artificial flower factory in New York City survived a century

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Essay on Incident That Changed My Life

Students are often asked to write an essay on Incident That Changed My Life in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

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100 Words Essay on Incident That Changed My Life

The day everything changed.

One sunny afternoon, I was out cycling when a dog ran onto the road. Swerving to avoid it, I fell and hurt my leg badly. This accident made me stay in bed for a month.

Learning and Growing

During that time, I read many books and discovered a love for stories. I also learned to appreciate the small things, like the warmth of sunlight or a phone call from a friend.

Because of this incident, I decided to start writing. I wanted to create stories that could make others feel less alone and more hopeful, just as those books did for me.

250 Words Essay on Incident That Changed My Life

One sunny afternoon, my life took a surprising turn. I was at the park, playing soccer with friends, when I noticed an old man sitting alone on a bench. He looked sad and forgotten. After the game, I felt a strong urge to talk to him. That decision marked a new chapter in my life.

A New Friend

Lessons learned.

Through Mr. Wilson, I learned the value of kindness and the joy of giving time to others. He taught me that everyone has a story worth listening to and that sometimes the simplest act of kindness can brighten someone’s life.

A Changed Perspective

Meeting Mr. Wilson changed my outlook on life. I became more compassionate and started volunteering at a local community center. The happiness I saw in Mr. Wilson’s eyes whenever I visited him was the greatest reward. That chance encounter at the park showed me that one small gesture can make a big difference. It was an incident that transformed who I am and how I see the world.

500 Words Essay on Incident That Changed My Life

Life is like a river, always flowing and changing its course when least expected. I learned this lesson when an incident changed the direction of my life completely. It was an ordinary Saturday morning, and I was on my way to the local library. Little did I know that this walk would lead me to an experience that would transform my life.

A Surprising Encounter

As I was walking, I noticed a small, scared kitten hiding under a bush. Its eyes were wide with fear, and it was meowing softly. Without thinking much, I approached the kitten and gently picked it up. I looked around for its mother or any sign of where it came from, but there was none. I realized this little creature was alone and needed help. So, I decided to take it home, at least until I could find it a safe place to live.

A New Responsibility

Bringing the kitten home meant I had to learn how to take care of it. I named her Whiskers, and as days passed, I grew attached to her. I learned about feeding schedules, the importance of play, and regular visits to the vet. Whiskers became my responsibility, and I took that role seriously. This experience taught me about commitment and the joy of caring for another living being.

Sharing the Joy

I began to share my story with friends and classmates. Many were inspired by how a simple act of kindness could lead to such a positive change. My teachers also praised my actions and used my experience as an example in class to encourage others to be kind and responsible.

A Lasting Impact

The day I found Whiskers was the day my life took a new turn. I became more caring, responsible, and aware of the needs of others. This incident showed me that even a small gesture can have a big impact. It changed how I saw the world and how I interacted with it. I learned that life can be unpredictable, but it is these surprises that shape us and help us grow.

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