My Mindsight Exercise Two
- My mother forced me to be in band class.
Band class taught me focus and the skill of deliberate practice [202108191615]. My experiences in band gave me a sense of achievement. For example, I decided I wouldn’t settle for last chair when the band director placed me there after her initial assessment of me. I practiced so hard that I earned first chair out of 15 or 20 in my section. That feed my self-esteem Band taught me poise and how to perform under pressure. I use all of the life skills that I learn from band nearly every day.
- Bad work experiences
Both of the major jobs in my life have beaten the dreams and confidence out of me. They probably contribute most to me feeling like that sock behind the washer and dryer [mindsight01].
- Married with children
This has kept me from becoming a weird loner engaged in deviant behavior. I have people I’m accountable to and that creates a sense of purpose in my life. My wife encourages me to try things I’d never try on my own. My kids taught me compassion because I see them in everyone else. My love for my children generalizes to empathy for others. And the love and support that I receive from my wife and children are beautiful. This makes me want to be a better person for them.
- My Dad’s death
His death made me keenly aware of time and the temporal nature of life [202110010238]. His death was also a catalyst for a paradigm shift in my worldview. His death also played a role in my seeking out critical thinking skills.
- Financial Debt
Debt restricts my life and limits my options. I feel enslaved to a life of harder work than what would normally be necessary [202108151607].
Honorable Mention : Discovering strength training.
I didn’t mention seminal events like my parents meeting or the overall upbringing of my mother. Influential indeed. But I feel like that’s not the question’s point.