Although September 11th, 2001, was 20 years ago, for most of us where we were when we heard what was happening in our country is still etched in our memories. For days after this horrifying event, the United States stood united. It was a defining moment for our country’s history. It’s an event people who lived through will never forget.
As I recalled that I was working in downtown Boston conducting a project meeting as planes were flying into buildings on our country’s soil, I then thought about how powerful personal defining moments can be for people, too. These often have a profound effect on the actions we take or the way we view certain things. For example, when I was in first grade, I was late to school, which meant I had to 
go to the principal’s office. I don’t recall what Dr. Collins, the principal, said to me that day; however, this experience is etched in my memory and to me it represents the importance of being on time.
What’s even more interesting to me is that now, being on time isn’t the only biproduct of this early experience of me being tardy, but I also work with many of my clients to improve their overall time management skills. In addition, I’ve written many articles on this topic, as well as held time management workshops and retreats.
I also believe that defining moments don’t always have to be negative to be effective. For instance, another defining moment for me was my 8th birthday when my brother gave me my first cat. Spooky was an adorable eight-week-old black kitten with one little white spot 
on his chest. I clearly remember my brother getting out of our VW bug holding this tiny shoebox with Spooky in it. After “oohing” and “aahhing” over this cute kitten, I remember asking “Who’s kitten, is it?”. I was thrilled to learn he was mine! From Spooky, I learned so much about taking care of a cat and I also discovered what wonderful companions and teachers they can be.
Fast forward to today, I have taken this defining moment of my first cat, and I’ve incorporated my love for my pets into my business. A client can work with animals in their coaching work with me and they can also receive a Soul Level Animal Communication® reading to help them resolve an issue with their pet. Additionally, I volunteer at the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s Brewster Care and Adoption Center where I focus on working with cats who have behavior issues.
Looking at the different paths that have led me to my decisions is interesting and sometimes surprising. What is one of your defining moments, something you’ll never forget, and how does it show up in your current life?
If we take time to reflect on our lives, I believe we’ll discover many defining moments. What’s important, is not so much the actual moment when it happens, but how that moment contributes to our personal evolution. The value in these experiences can be instrumental in our personal development and often we don’t realize this event had such a powerful impact on how we show up in the world today, unless we take the time to connect the dots with those events that we will never forget.
