Pivotal Moments

Do you notice when pivotal moments in your life occur? Do you realize how certain events can change you forever?


While I was talking on the phone to AL last week she made me realize one of my personal pivotal moments. We were talking about my stint as an Au Pair in 2000. The trip itself was very important to me that wasn't the impactful moment.


I remember going to dinner with AL someplace in Toledo. It was a special night for both of us because we didn't go to out often. We were both poor college students and super busy. As we were eating dinner she mentioned that she was thinking of being an Au Pair in France the following year. Hm...a light bulb went off in my head. She continued talking about the program and how it interested her. I think I asked her if the program included England and when she said yes my life changed.


Yep. It really changed that very moment. It changed the way I thought about things. Until that moment I never thought traveling internationally would ever be in my future. I remember going to bed every night as a teenager daydreaming about England and how I wished I could go. I NEVER thought it would be possible. That is why I know that exact moment over dinner was so pivotal. I realized I COULD do something I thought was impossible.


AL gave me the name of the Au Pair company she was going to use and I pushed forward quickly with that information. I did my research (btw much harder in 1999 during the growing years of the internet) and I applied for the program. I got a second job and I made immediate changes in my life to make this new idea work out.


I feel that was the first time in my life that I realized I could really do something that appeared to be difficult for me if I put in some effort. Doors opened for me when I came home from that trip. I moved to Indiana and I feel my adult life sprang to life.


One single IDEA changed my life.


Even now it seems like a little thing but I feel it was one of the most important moments in my life.
BTW...AL never applied to the Au Pair program.