Here is a list of some of the defining moments, events or circumstances in my life that have really played into the person I am today.

Although I tend to not see myself as an optimist by nature, it was interesting to me that as I built this list I was completely focused on how these things made me a better person. Even if they were bad things, I was aware they brought out good qualities and help establish a strong foundation for the person I am today.

1. Being a preacher’s kid and growing up in the church.
2. Being sexually assaulted twice as a child.
3. Starting college in high school.
4. Going to an all women’s college.
5. Starting several of my own businesses.
6. Working at Microsoft.
7. Retiring at age 34
8. Being super over weight.
9. Coping with Infertility.
10. Birth of my daughter.
11. Diabetes - both my own diagnosis and then the horrid way it’s effected my parents - my father’s Alzheimer’s and my mother’s amputations.
12. Adopting two children at the same time internationally.
13. Motherhood
14. Choosing weight loss surgery.
15. Building a house as an investment in Florida and using it as a part-time job.
16. Experiencing the life changes that come with dropping 160 lbs.
17. Dealing with my mortality when they found the huge tumor on my ovary.
18. Realizing that I do in fact have an eating disorder/addiction and dealing with the accountability of that realization.
19. Dealing with uncontrollable pain (and being dependent and vulnerable) after my reconstructive surgery.
20. Becoming fit – both mentally and physically.

Related posts:

  1. Too Many Connections?
    2.   I wonder if this might be admitting too much...
  2. Just for the record
    3.    I just want to go on record as saying:1. I...
  3. Life is damn good
    4.    I am grateful for my life. I really...