I know there is another Stories thread, but I think there ought to be a separate thread for this. We all have stories that we get lessons out of in life, but what is a powerful one you have, whether it be positive or negative? I'm talking about stories/lessons that have to deal with major changes in your life (obstacles, things you've done that could've made a big difference, etc.). I'm on a different medication and it's making me feel the need to connect deeply with others. If your story is long, it's okay. Those who don't want to read can skip them. NO: Flamewars Rude/inconsiderate comments towards other members Profane language Release of private information of others if they wouldn't want it. Here's mine. I was born in Michigan to a young professional and his wife. They had just moved an hour out of the city into a big cape cod house with an acre of land, set back on a private drive with 5 other houses, all of which had kids of similar ages. We were upper-middle class. If my brother or I wanted something, there was a chance we'd get it. My dad was working for Chrysler at the time and life was all good. I had a good childhood. When the 2008 recession hit, my dad lost his job, and my mom's $35k USD per year salary meant we were going to lose everything. We were forced to sell 85% of our stuff, then foreclosed on the house, and decided that if we could move anywhere it'd be Florida. Moving tore me up; I was losing every friend I'd had since pre-K. When we pulled up to the Florida house, it was a dump. It was 1/3 the size of what we had, it was gross on the inside, and permanently 1978 on the outside. When I moved to the new school, everyone was mean. The kids, the administration, even the teachers. My teacher refused to teach me basic division, and basics of science, only because they'd already learned it so it was my responsibility as a fourth grader to know these things. In sixth grade I came out as gay, and told only one of my friends, one of 3, and she was the only one I trusted. She told everyone. People spun it that I liked this one guy, who ended up nearly breaking my nose and arm because he was so offended by said rumor. It kept happening, and my guidance counselor literally outed me to the entire school against my will. It got to the point where I was drinking daily, and even pulled a knife on a bully and was contemplating my life. However, my dad found a much better paying job in a different town in Michigan, which gave me hope in life, so we moved there after 6th grade. In 7th grade, back in Michigan, the guys were even more mean. I was being told to drink paint thinner, was being pushed into lockers, and was even tripped on the stairs multiple times. At this point, I didn't care what people did- I wanted to die. In 8th grade I almost ended my life, but decided against it since my cousin had done it and I saw what pain it caused my grandmother. In 9th grade, things got better, and I actually worked my way to the top of my school's social ladder, even though I was just a freshman. I felt loved. Except, one day I came home from school and was told that my parents had bought a house an hour away and I would be moving schools yet again. I cried myself to sleep for the first time in a year and a half. 10th grade, I didn't really feel like I fit in that great at first. I started hanging around the burnouts. I had been smoking on and off for a year but this time I started smoking regularly. Then, I decided I didn't need those people in my life, after finding out that 2 were on heroin half the time I was with them. I began hanging out with some really great, fulfilling people. They knew what they wanted in life, they were positive. When I started being with these people, I became the same way. Now I'm halfway done with 11th grade, my dad has a well-paying job now, I have plenty of friends that care, I stopped my drinking (still smoking though...), I know for sure what I want with my life, and I am finally happy with things. I learned if you're in a rut, take your time. Don't end it all, things happen negatively, but all in all the positive will outnumber the negative. Let me ask you, what's your powerful lesson?
My dad once said that you shouldn't wipe you're butt with sticky fingers, you can see how that went :/
Driving fast isn't just about being crazy, it's about being crazy like a fox. Only took me one ticket to figure that out. Some people, it takes a lot more. Some never get it until they eat a Darwin Award off the hood of an oncoming pickup truck. Don't be that guy. Vengefulness only drags you down. Getting fired from a job is practically a rite of passage in a young man's life, and I mean man specifically. Humans containing "Y" chromosomes never really grow up until that happens. I've seen it with myself and I've seen it play out partially with a now-ex coworker you may have known as Ricer Boy.
Ahh the legendary nemesis, ricer boy. you haven't heard the last of him. just wait till he finally gets that turbo in there and you'll be in BIG trouble.