What has been the most life-changing experience you've ever had?

Up until a month ago it would've been joining the Army...a month ago I got married, huge life changer!

Joining the Army!

19 years old, joined the U.S. Forest Service as a Wildland Fire Fighter. Deployed to a 27 lightening strike complex fire in Boise Idaho. Due to dehydration from illness went into cardiac and respiratory arrest while on the fire line. I had to be shocked and resuscitated back. That event changed my entire outlook on life and how quickly and without notice life can be taken away. From that day on, I vowed to live without regret and have successfully done so. We do not have enough time on this rock to wallow in regret. We must observe, learn, adjust and move on. That was my most life-changing moment.

Joining the Army, Marriage, my son being born, and divorce all had lasting effects on me. The singular most powerful event that shifted my whole understanding of freedom and independence and security happened in 2010. I was in Iraq on an IED call outside a building that was for the best terms an Iraq elementary school. The call was about as routine as a call of such nature could be. I cannot even remember the details of the device. What did imprint onto my memory was when the children were released for the day. Parents came to the school and without ceremony or a second glance to me, my team or the faithful entourage of security vehicles armed to the teeth. It really jolted me at that I stand how lucky me and my fellow country men and women are to live in a condition that we will never have to grab a weapon to drive across town, never give a second thought to the hazards of roadside bombs on our mundane drive to work each day, and I hope and pray that I never have to pick up my son from school while a convoy of armed military members from a different country make the path safe. This realization shook me to my core, makes me dang near weep with gratitude.

I'll take one of each, joining the Army, getting married and having kids. I was able to be at the births and cut the cords for both my boys. My daughter - the twin of my youngest son - didn't want to come out so they had to do a C-section to go get her so I had to exit stage left. I'll also add, having a child with autism - my oldest. Watching the leaps and bounds he has made and going through the struggles with him has opened our eyes to so many things. Makes you really appreciate the small stuff while focusing on the big picture.

SFC Steven Borders there have been too many to name just one but the ones with the most significant meaning to me can all be traced back to the decision to join the Army. If I had not done that, I would not have the beautiful wife I have today, I wouldn't have restored my relationship with my father before he died, I wouldn't have experienced the joy of seeing my 3 children born, I wouldn't have had the chance to pray in the Vatican....the list goes on.

Hmmm. Marrying my husband wasn't a life changer, but it was definitely a life ENHANCER.

Silly as it may sound, joining Alpha Xi Delta in college, was by far the biggest "life changer/butterfly effect" I have ever experienced. It opened doors for me I never imagined. Travel opportunities, changed my ultimate career path, that new career path moved me to a new town, new opportunities, new people, new church, new life, found "Dave Ramsey" and started to get my personal finances in order.... etc.

I have no idea where I would be today had I not taken the risk of going to that "stupid recruitment party" they invited me to since I thought I was too old for it.

Becoming a Marine and having my two sons giving of themselves one for his country in the Army SFC Steven Borders and the other for his community as a volunteer fire fighter (couldn't join the military, medical reasons). Pretty proud father!

Funny how this stuff works. I had just finished posting this commentary when I saw the link for this page appear. I'm lazy so I will just share the link for my own life-changing experience. ;) Cheers, y'all.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/a-life-changing-moment

I would have to go with being ambushed on 1 May 2004. Seeing death, being that close to death, and having that much fear and adrenaline pumping through the veins left me with both the most horrifying memories, and the realization of just how important consistent training actually is. Today I am much more grateful for family and friends.