Those that Caused the Biggest Impact on My Life

Challenges of Life
@Shiva49 (26684)
Singapore
December 1, 2017 8:52am CST
Our perception of life changes over time. There are the big events that leave a mark forever, tough to forget and some even change our attitude, approach to life. I have had both the positives and negatives that have defined how I view life in general and face the challenges and uncertainties. Let me start with the positives. I have observed close at hand the few how they approached and lived their lives. Those who impressed me are those who were steadfast and lived by their principles, not those who tried to please others for short term gains. It is natural to remember more the hurting ones; those who played me out. It happened both in personal life and at workplace. It was more of taking advantage of me, and even betrayal of trust reposed. It was showing their true colors and hitting below the belt. I have learned equally from both positives and negatives. I try my best not to lose my trust in humanity as then my life will be meaningless and selfish. Now I may trust less but never let down those in need. However, just like airlines announce those who travel with children to take care of themselves first before attending to children I too take care of myself first and then jump in to help others in need. I am sure there are the events that impacted you all; would love to hear some. Image: Free Image – Challenges of LIfe
11 people like this
10 responses
@LadyDuck (471421)
• Switzerland
1 Dec 17
I agree with this great lesson in life, take care of yourself first, because you do not know if the others will help when you are in need.
3 people like this
@Shiva49 (26684)
• Singapore
1 Dec 17
Yes, we should be practical as nothing in life is assured and human mind is fickle. We ourselves change over time. However, I have experienced when those we had trusted let us down, others step in to fill their place. At times I felt our creator had a part in it! siva
3 people like this
@LadyDuck (471421)
• Switzerland
2 Dec 17
@Shiva49 You are right, there is always a compensation in life.
3 people like this
• United States
2 Dec 17
Those I had trusted most were the most brutal and unexpectedly so. It changed me permanently in life. My one sister had been the most evil one, most unexpectedly. She had affected each and every facet of my life and most deliberately in a very negative way. I hope that karma will catch up to her. I do still help those I can however, and my conscience is clear. Those nearest me were the most devastating to my psyche. Family.Without specifics, there were 3 of them in particular, worse than any stranger could have been. Still, I have survived it and keep my spirit of giving intact. Like you Siva.
2 people like this
• United States
3 Dec 17
@Shiva49 Thanks Siva for your sincere kind words..much appreciated..yes I am also sorry to hear of the devastation caused you by wicked ones in work. I believe they had done much damage to you, yet your strong spirit of humanity (which they lack in deeds) has overcome these wicked deeds they had done. Glad to hear it Siva..carry on rising above the chaffe.
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@Shiva49 (26684)
• Singapore
4 Dec 17
@TiarasOceanView My attitude made me overcome what could have been a severe blow for most others. It is a fact we are surrounded by those who are out to take advantage and that makes us guarded and less trusting. Our true potential is stymied by those who create mistrust. It looks like the good is having a real battle in their hands to retain the goodness. But there is the majority like me who press on as that is the right thing to do. If we join the bandwagon of the evil to get even for short term gains we will be working against our inner conscience and the creator himself - siva
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26684)
• Singapore
3 Dec 17
I am so sorry that your own family caused you so much pain. In fact, sisters are known to be very close all their lives. However, I am happy that you survived the ordeal without losing trust in humanity and continue helping others. Mine was more of colleagues playing me out at workplace. One was when a senior showed his true colors after being cordial for years. Another was when a colleague started dismantling the system I had built over the years with much commitment. However, I survived these ordeals and those when some played me out financially. Mine was salary earned income and to lose a portion is not easy. I closed these chapters with the view they have a problem and not me and I moved on. Yes Ocean Tiara, our conscience is what really matters in the end - siva
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
1 Dec 17
I have never lost my faith in humanity. Whenever I come across someone with no principles, I look around and see dozens of good people. I think there are more good people than bad.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26684)
• Singapore
2 Dec 17
I would go as far to say 99% live and let others live. It is the 1% that leave a pall of gloom with their lifestyle. If real democracy is at play then we are in heaven right here! siva
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
5 Dec 17
I can go out of my way to help people sometimes, but that's a nice reminder. We need to take care of ourselves first before taking care of others.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26684)
• Singapore
5 Dec 17
I have seen some who are totally unselfish and altruistic but it is better to make sure we take care of ourselves too. I have worked for nearly fifty years and feel I am entitled to enjoy a decent life - siva
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
4 Dec 17
Very true. My father's mother was one of my greatest influencers. She taught me respect, manners, humor, love of people, and goodness. The rotten people in my life are no more. I find it best to drop them or ignore them and move on with my life.
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@DianneN (247186)
• United States
7 Dec 17
@Shiva49 Trust me when I say that I never forget.
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (26684)
• Singapore
4 Dec 17
Thanks for sharing. Some people are indeed role models. We are lucky to meet them. Forgive and move on has been easy for me but tough to forget though. After all, we are humans with feelings! siva
2 people like this
@JudyEv (340194)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Dec 17
I suppose my mother was a great influence on my life. She was so strong and always so positive. She was a great role model.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26684)
• Singapore
2 Dec 17
Our own parents obviously become our role models to a great extent. My father was a highly principled man admired for his professional achievements. I follow some of his approaches to life. My mother is an easy going and loving person. Having observed some relatives from young, I can say most set good examples - siva
1 person likes this
@innertalks (21919)
• Australia
6 Dec 17
When it comes to perception, the eyes do not really have it. The heart does!
Events impact us all, and yet it is usually our attitude or perception of that event that colours our world the colour that it then becomes for us. When it comes to perception, the eyes do not really have it. The heart does! Sometimes poetry can say this better: Here is a poem that I just wrote about perception. Poetry: Perception to get results must link us back into love Our perception will change over time, if we change. We can grow in awareness and greater understanding. As we grow sharper in our insight into life, we must stop seeing what we want to see to see what is. We cannot really change the things that we look at, but we can change the way that we are looking at them. Life can be as sad or happy as much as we listen to it. The limits I place on my perception limits my world to what it is. They often say, what is in your outer world reflects your inner, and yet this is only half true. Life always goes both ways. Our perception opens doors that were once closed, and yet we ourselves must still walk through them to perceive. Love sits in us waiting to be received by our perception. When life opens our eyes, then love opens our heart. Life changes not just from our perception changing, but from our perception of perception being really love.
@Shiva49 (26684)
• Singapore
6 Dec 17
Thanks Steve for driving home the truth that love underpins our perception and then it goads us to better accept life as it is. We should learn what is out there and then chip in to value add with all our might. We are given the basic ingredient, love, but we are miserly with it. The more the pervading darkness, the brighter will be the light we shine - siva
1 person likes this
@innertalks (21919)
• Australia
6 Dec 17
@Shiva49 That's very well said, siva. Yes, love should underpin all else really, if it doesn't underpin something that we are hanging onto, we should let go of it (i.e. not the love, the thing that we are hanging onto in place of love). That is the test. Everything in us should connect us back again to love.
@Shiva49 (26684)
• Singapore
6 Dec 17
@innertalks We persist in building huge edifices on shaky and tenuous foundations bereft of love. Then we are bound to fail. We know the truth but refuse to admit our faults. The quote attributed to Einstein drives home the point of our not learning from our mistakes: "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - siva
1 person likes this
@shivamani10 (11035)
• Hyderabad, India
1 Dec 17
I really wonder speaking such things by many. Some people say that there will be a drastic change in my life which never happened so far and which I am eagerly waiting for.So far, I am on my own.Nothing could bring any change in me.I agree with you provided it happens to me also.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26684)
• Singapore
1 Dec 17
I have always observed people especially those who were admired either for their work or their contribution to society. They seem to have more energy and enthusiasm than the rest. Then the opposite who are quite negative and depressing. Though I try to avoid them I may not succeed if they are my colleagues or relatives. I try to emulate those who leave a positive mark. There was one senior during my earlier working days to whom all problems were simple enough to solve. He had a great attitude. So it is mostly my effort that changed my outlook but I took care the change suited my temperament and was not blind imitation - siva
1 person likes this
@Kandae11 (55035)
1 Dec 17
One should be sure that family members and self are taken care of first - especially when you are the sole provider. If you don't take care of yourself you won't be in a position to help your family and those in need.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26684)
• Singapore
2 Dec 17
Yeah, that should be at the back of our minds often, not to be reckless with our lives - siva
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@Ganma7 (3664)
2 Dec 17
Very interesting. You are very wise. Thank you for sharing
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (26684)
• Singapore
2 Dec 17
Thank you Paula for your kind words - siva
1 person likes this