Pivotal moments; defining people, unexpected challenges, undiluted courage — identifying the moments of highest positive return in your life. 

What experiences shaped your life in powerful, beneficial ways? Who are the people who turned you around, pointed you in a new and helpful direction? Who was the teacher or coach who restored your confidence when it was shaken?

Please, let me know. 

Taking stock on your history and the people who shaped you and the moments that shifted your trajectory is usually a healthy and rewarding exercise. 

Richard Morey (RIP) was my English teacher in high school. He took an essay I had written and put red lines through most of it with comments like, “you’re wasting my time” in the margins.

Near the end of my essay he circled a portion and in the margin he wrote: “Do more of this: this will make you a writer!” and so I did.

Frank Graham taught me Afrikaans and knew of my debilitating stutter which I tried most unsuccessfully to hide. While caring and kind, Mr. Graham never backed off, he offered me opportunities to speak like every other student and imparted the idea that I really had something to say.

Fifty countries later traveling as a writer and speaker I have much for which to thank these two fine men.

[Written in Malaysia]