Good or bad.
I had a bad experience as a child that I am pretty sure affected me. We had an external brick garage with my dads car in. I was about 5 and I got in the garage and got in the unlocked car. The door shut and I couldn't get out. I remember overwhelming panic thinking that I was trapped and screamed the place down, thinking I wouldn't get heard. In my mind I was thinking that I would suffocate. Parents showed up pretty quick, but all my subsequent life I have suffered badly in any situation where I feel trapped in, so I never go in lifts, never go in a car back seat if there are no back doors, don't like anywhere that I'm locked in. In places I don't know I look for escape routes.
I was reminded today. 2 weeks ago I had to get from work (N London) to Waterloo, south of the river. On the tube coming home it was packed and I was real close to having a panic attack. I had to go down there again today, but after work I walked from Waterloo all the way up to Camden (an hours fast walking) just to avoid packed trains.
Comments
lost 5 1/2 stone and the belly is about 15" smaller
unbelievably life changing in so many more ways than I ever expected
I'm not locked in here with you, you are locked in here with me.
That really does change things!
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Something as small as stumbling upon and joining Thefretboard a couple of years back changed a lot. I was just messing on an acoustic in the corner of the living room then, had a Epiphone SG at the back of the shed that was in a state. Now I have multiple electrics and a bass and have been really enthused about playing (albeit at home) ever since.
Pretty boring answer but it changed a lot for me.
Details here for anyone interested.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_Green_ricin_plot
Changed me from an irresponsible, selfish, pleasure seeker to the wonderful human being I've become.
Yes. The last year.
My mother in law Sue was diagnosed 29th March with a brain tumour, and passed away 15th October. She was only 67.
It has been scary seeing a compassionate, fit and intelligent woman deteriorate in a relatively short amount of time, and with no warning. Due to the position of the tumour it mainly affected her personality and mobility. This meant that by the time we knew what was happening, she wasn't the person she used to be. We were mourning for the person she was, before she passed away. Then she actually did pass, and even though prepared, it's obviously been incredibly painful.
My wife was her main carer. My wife's dad died when she was in her late teens so her mum brought her up alone. They were incredibly close, and it's totally destroyed her. Trying to console my Mrs and keep her head above water has been hard. After a while there isn't really anything else left to say. No words can resolve the situation anyway.
My kids are 4 and 7. Both were looked after by my mum in law prior to starting nursery / school. She started them off learning the alphabet / counting and reading. They were very close, and it's been hard to watch them witness what has happened. Trying to explain this sort of thing is horrible and pretty impossible.
Trying to support my wife, and the kids has been hard at times. Seeing what they've gone through has been upsetting. In some ways I feel lucky though as it's just confirmed what an amazing woman my wife is, and how resilient and brilliant my kids are. I'm very proud of them all.
We never thought last Christmas would be our last with Sue, and we've learned not to take time or people for granted. It's easy to slip back into old ways but determined not to. Now is about trying to make sure life is lived to the fullest extent possible. I feel I've grown up loads and changed a lot. Hopefully for the better. The experience has brought me and my wife closer together.
It's hard, but important to make some positive changes, learning from what has happened. It's been a horrific experience that I hope never affects us again. It has been life changing. Everything is still very raw at the moment, but as time goes on things should get easier.
I can't help about the shape I'm in, I can't sing I ain't pretty and my legs are thin
But don't ask me what I think of you, I might not give the answer that you want me to
On a lighter note and as cliched as it sounds being introduced to the music of Led Zeppelin changed my life too. My mate got me stoned and said listen to this, he played No quarter and it blew me away, something inside me changed that day.
No earth-shattering conclusion that we haven't heard before. Pursue meaningful happiness today - as you don't know what will happen tomorrow. Build great memories with the ones you love so they have something to remember if you're the one who leaves first.
Enjoy the journey and do no harm whilst you travel.