Do You Have a Pivotal Moment in Your Life?

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 13:44:53 -0500

I think everyone has a pivotal moment in their life. A moment when the heart beat gets stronger, and when dreams come true, and love is reaffirmed or become lost.

My pivotal moment was being abandoned at a trains station at 2. I walked all night looking for my mother until I feel asleep, exhausted on some steps. I was soon adopted by a family that wanted me. This changed the course of my life.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Nov 7 at 2015 2:25 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 14:25:58 -0500

Wow MAJ Ken Landgren Hard to even think of how to respond to that. "Life" is not supposed to happen at age 2. It sounds as if you were truly fortunate to have stumbled upon outstanding people.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Nov 7 at 2015 2:40 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 14:40:33 -0500

MAJ Ken Landgren, nothing that pivotal. God Bless your adopted family.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Nov 7 at 2015 2:49 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 14:49:12 -0500

I have to admit, when I read your questions, my brain went to the "Eye of the Tiger" moment... I admire your perseverance in getting where you are today.
My own pivotal moment? Was having to deal with the loss of my very first child at 2 days old. A little girl, Kristy, she was soooo beautiful...
And for the first time in my life, I had to face the fact that out of everything I have achieved at that point, I could not have the one thing that I wanted and needed most in my life at that time. That, in-turn, prepared me to accept that I won't always get what I wanted or needed, and that with, or with out it, life waits for no one... Like you, I'm sure, there is much more to my story, but I will finish with saying that over 30 years and 2 grown amazing boys later, this single event without a doubt, continues to positively, and unfortunately negatively, influence my life.
No other pivotal moments as everything was manageable, albeit difficult, after that. But like I said, that one event continues to influence my life today, it's just a bit easier to talk about now! :)

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 7 at 2015 3:37 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 15:37:37 -0500

My second pivotal was after I got PTSD, I was looking for answers, but could not find any. I finally remembered the mirror trick and practiced it myself. I saw a gradual improvement, and when a symptom became too great, I went to the mirror for self affirmation. This technique became a genesis for how to get out of the darkness of PTSD, and I am happy to note that several people have tried it to their way for recovery.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Nov 7 at 2015 4:27 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 16:27:23 -0500

I don't think of them as pivotal moments but rather as choices, some bad, some good. Looking back I see a host of paths not taken. The ones taken look like a river fed by streams fed by brooks, fed by rills, fed by trickles. With each choice I've grown, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. Some were choices I made, others choices others made for me. It seems you mother made a major choice for you that gave you an opportunity. Another family made a choice that brought that opportunity to fruition.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2015 6:19 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 18:19:46 -0500

Interesting, MAJ Ken Landgren! I've had several:

I nearly lost an arm to a spider bite, before i was walking, I hate spiders.

I nearly drowned when I was a toddler. Without scuba gear, I don't like being in water over my head.

In the 2nd grade I was hung on a fence by some Mexican middle schoolers across the street from the elementary school when we lived in Stockton, CA. Racism? The only race of people I grew up disliking were those from south of the border. It took a long time to get over that and i have some great American friends whose families came from south of the border.

During the summer between tenth and eleventh grades in Modesto, CA, a socially challenged boy down the street was chasing my brother and his friend around a park behind our house with a replica union officers sword. When I investigated the noise the little boy ran to his home, grabbed his fathers 1911, ran back to the park and pointed it at me, I walked toward the little boy and he ran away.

And the most pivotal moment, I stood on the yellow foot prints at MCRD San Diego and finished the journey to become a US Marine!

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2015 8:12 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 20:12:38 -0500

Wow, your experience makes everything else pale in comparison for me! The first time that I lived abroad, was the year of 9/11. I remember smelling the aftermath on 9/12, and I considered changing my plans and remaining closer to home. I am so glad that I stuck with my original plan. I spent close to a year in Ireland, which gave me tremendous confidence of being able to set up a life for myself site unseen, travel independently and thoughtfully, and make wonderful, lifelong friends that I visited a few weeks ago.

One of the great things about having your horizons broadened by travel is that it gives me great appreciation for the small and tremendous things and freedoms that the States offers.