There are moments in our lives when something occurs that simply changes our outlook on life, our "paradigm". And depending on the strength of our perception, we may or may have not been easily swayed.
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What did you experience, witness, or learn about in your life (simple or severe) that generated a paradigm shift in your perspective AND how have you changed our life as a result? 
I was mean to new kids in New York, until i moved over here in 7th grade and experienced how it was like to be the "new kid."
ReplyDeleteWell, I personally spent most of my life in middle school and early high school centered on school. I thought getting the best grades was the most important thing in life and it was a really big struggle for me i guess... Well this all changed back in my freshman year when my english teacher Mr.Achenzie spoke about school, and work, and talked about getting a job and going to college. Everyone was ready for yet another talk about our high school career and how the best grades we could get were necessary to go to college. However he didn't mention it, he brought everything into perspective to me when he said " you don't need to go to college, the world needs mechanics". That statement changed my outlook on school, I realized it didn't need to be the center of my life. It didn't stop me from doing the best I could and striving towards college but it let me see that killing myself for a grade in a class was not what i needed to do, trying was.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a freshman I just did what ever i wanted and I just took life for granted until my dad discovered that he had cancer. From that day on I had a real change in my views and morals.
ReplyDeleteMy paradigm shift was when I noticed why all my class work and other things that are not graded seriously on was always easy and good. Though when i take a test of something that is graded heavily, i would make a stupid mistake i wouldn't understand why i did that. So i decided that i will just not over think things and keep it simple. Also trying not to second guess things.
ReplyDeleteThere is a moment in my life right now that my grandfather isn’t doing to well. Something went wrong with his back and its really hard for him to walk and do other things. He was the guy that would do everything himself. This changed my paradigm because now that he cant do things I need to help him with a lot of things and know I do things at home to help out my parents.
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ReplyDeleteOne paradigm shift I have experienced was when I read an online blog by a friend of mine which described in a fictional account; an experience in which she was in a hospital waiting room and encountered a peer whom always seemed confident and happy-go-lucky and was in the ER for self mutilation. This completely destroys the stereotype that perky people are not always mindless popular dimwits with no problems in the world. This is among many of the paradigm shifts I’ve experienced in my 17 years.
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ReplyDeleteA moment that I experienced a paradigm shift in my own perspective that changed my life will have to be the time my bestfriend Jessica told me her life story. Jess was a happy go lucky child, always the class clown. However there were secrets that no one knew or no one seen. In other people eyes Jess was a prefect child but when she looked in the mirror at herself all she seen were scars left behind from the pain that will always be indented by the tragedies she faced throughout her life. I'm not talking about the type of scars that someone can just get a band-aid and cover it up so it can go away in a week or so but the type that don't matter how hard you try it won't go away. The pain she felt and the cries that were shed at night was replaced by a bright smile in the morning covering up her torture used as a band-aid. When my bestfriend took that band-aid off for me, and unfolded all the pain she was hiding all I could do was cry with her. That situation made me appreciate life more than words can ever describe. The bizarre part is before that situation with my bestfriend, I used to be what people called a "spoiled brat" but now I'm okay with not having certain things, or not getting what I want all the time. I realized at that moment in time that my life was like a perfect picture for some people, and I used to complain about foolish things. What I got out of that situation is that it sometime takes someone else to illistrate something before the vision is shown how good your life is.
ReplyDeleteFrom the start of middle school up until my sophomore year, I was very naive, innocent (not that I'm still not!) and very quiet at times. Looking back at it now, sometimes I wish I could've done things differently and centered my life on something else. At one point, I had a group of friends who centered themselves around drama. Me, being a part of the group became frequently involved I'm those typical "he said she said" type of things...or the more popular "look at that insert word of choice here) I don't even know why he went our with her". Drama became the main role in my life and I was it's understudy. I wasn't very happy at all, and at times I would beat myself up over things that weren't even my fault. They say sometimes that the friends you has attract the type of guys you'll get. The end result came to prove it self valid. I was soon having a thing for a guy that I could clearly do better. My life at that point was ridiculous. I soon became even more frustrated, and irritated because of the false pretenses he made me believe and all the people he has put against me because of how immaturely he handled his previous relationships. At this point I was ready to get of the drama coaster and begin a new life where things actually mattered and I wasn't feeling so down on myself anymore. My group of friends now actually give me a voice and love me for who I am. I get loud and crazy all the time because of them and I love it. it takes a while to realize but the people you surround yourself by really have an impact on you. Don't take people for granted, and cherish your close ones. They will be with you toll the end.
ReplyDeleteI lived in a life where my father wore the crown. He ruled the house, and everyone in it played victim to his reign of horror. He made us abide by strict, strenuous rules and following those rules was a crucial aspect in my life. If expectations were to be met, for the consequences that followed were better left avoided. I was the main target under his supremacy, having to follow a redundant, beige schedule without any say in the matter for the standards of his house were the standards that must be obeyed. I loathed the very house I grew up in, feeling as though I was a victim with little hope- hope for freedom or at least to see the light of day. I wallowed in self-pity, feeling envious of those who had the opportunities that were taken from me- the privileges I so deeply desired and felt I deserved. The older I grew, the more I continued to struggle to break the tight leash he wrapped around my neck. I felt more smothered, and began defying the rules and expectations he tried to program me to perform. I wanted him to know I was no longer under his rule, and his face grew cold as I witnessed me wander away. Unexpectedly, he sat me down, and I believed he was going to bring the hammer down upon me. Instead, his eyes filled with tears as he embraced me in his bear arms. I felt shocked, confused, but most of all- guilty. Have I not done what was necessary to break away? Didn’t I want him to hurt, for he was taking my youth right from under me? Instead, I looked into his watery eyes as he discussed the pains he suffered as a child- how no one cared about his being, and how he would do everything in his power to have see a smile, or an “I love you” from those around him- how he wanted someone to recognize him as a person- someone to care. I lived, and continue to live a life where my father wears the crown. He rules the house, but at least he brought me out of the shadows- out of the confusion with reasoning as to why he does what he does.
ReplyDelete@Kchancey
ReplyDeleteI really understand what your talking about, through out my life I've always been the person people really open up to and talk to when their having troubles, so I've been in that deep sad situation you explained above, where one person tells you their story and it really just opens your eyes. Opens them to all the little paradigms we think are obvious but are actually the opposite, and much more complex then we could imagine. Sometimes its hard being the vent for so many people, but it just shows that your a good trustworthy friend.
@Sjusto I definitely agree with what you stated "the people you surround yourself by really have an impact on you." I remember a situation of my own when I had a crazy group of friends that was just filled of drama. When your friends are filled of drama you are always going to be on your friend side even if they are wrong. Which only leads into to arguments, betrayal, and fights. With all three of them things mixed together it never ends up good, never. So I had no choice but to get myself out of the situation. Now that group of people and I aren't "friends" anymore and sometimes wonder if we ever were. However, I'm fine with that decision I made because it made me a better, more focus person and I just see it as a lesson in life.
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ReplyDelete@Phess Yes it is hard being a vent for so many people but at the same time that is what a "trustworthy friend" is. I rather be my friend vent then to have my friend hold something in that will do nothing but damage them physically and mentally. That's why I always say be careful what you say to some people because you never know what they are going through and how hard your words can effect them.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was little I was taken through a world of difficulties. In 1999 my grandmother was a depressed woman whom had just had her youngest son ripped out of her arms. I, that son’s offspring was the only thing left for her to have of him. I was a wreck most of the time, no mother, no father, grandmother gone most of the day, (at the time I was only five and contending with this array). I was a very difficult child to have an never wanted to follow rules or comply with standards set for me, plus, I was emotionally abused by the only thing that *I* had to cling to since my father’s passing. Well, years passed and fights begot more fights when I decided to be a pacifist in the matter of quarreling. I didn’t let her step all over me, but I didn’t fight back. It was just too much of a waste for energy. Through my years I found out that she too had a similar past, father left, mother committed suicide when she was two, living in an orphanage and in several foster homes. I luckily didn’t need to endure going from home to home in my youth, but I was able to better relate to the extreme feelings of loneliness that she had to and still does fight with. My mother also had a similar past compared to mine. I’ve taken to think that maybe it’s some kind of sick tradition on the woman in my family to have broken childhoods and adult-hoods, but I’ve learned from my own history and the history of my family that it won’t stop unless prompted, and that I need to be the one who stops the destructive chain of unfortunate events that seems to fire at our family tree (If it’s even that large, I don’t know much of my family). My grandmother and mother were also left horribly broken by their experiences, as have I. I now know that *MY* choices are *MINE* and that I can choose to, if I have them, stay with my prospective offspring and care for them in a way I never knew growing up. They won’t have that terrible void in their hearts like I had…
ReplyDeleteA paradigm shift i've experienced in my life has greatly changed me and took a whole new perspective on my life. About a year ago, there was this boy, who I centered my whole life around. I changed myself to be the person I thought he wanted me to be, I jumped to his every need, ditched my friends for him and convinced myself that this was the best I could do. After wasting two years on him, I didn’t know life without him and when he was ready to move on I found myself wondering who I was. Changing myself for a guy made me forget who I was as a person and made me think that I would never be happy again. Looking around me, I found myself realizing how happy my friends were and how happy I wanted to be. I stopped thinking about him and focused my life on the things I enjoyed. I did cheerleading that year and it helped me get my mind off him. I than opened my mind to other people which was hard for me at the time because I was afraid to get hurt again. I ended up learning a lot about myself and what I wanted in a relationship and what I didn’t. I now have a boyfriend who I can act myself around. I found the space for a friend time, boyfriend time and me time. I don’t jump to his every need and I learned to become independent as a person. Looking back on it, I guess I would like to thank the boy that broke my heart because he made me this strong, individual I am today.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather had changed my life, by letting me work with him. I never even knew what HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) stood for until he started taking me out on jobs, then he taught me about work ethic and how to do things right the first time so you don’t have to go back and do them again. While on these jobs I had learned a lot about myself and about the trade, and that is how he changed my views on the working world.
ReplyDelete@ S.Bonilla I totally understand how you felt with your father having the power over everyone in the house. That is how my father use to be. But as I got older I didn't want to deal with any of his bull shit so I confronted him about it and we talked about and everything is okay now
ReplyDeleteWe all think that we know who we are and that we never change for anyone. Well that’s not always the truth. I was friends with this guy once and he was never the same person every week. He would change when he meet different people, become like them. If he liked a girl he would try and get into the same things she was into, they weren’t always good. For example if she drank or smoked he would pick that up to try and impress that girl. I would tell him that he should just be him self and she would either like him or not. But every time he did this, the girl would like him because he was into the same stuff she was into. I began to think that what he did wasn’t so bad after all. One day when he was dating the ‘bad’ girl type he meet a ‘good’ girl. He told me she was pretty, smart, funny, and interesting. He would look forward to seeing her everyday at school. He continued to date this ‘bad’ girl and continued to drink and smoke. The ‘good’ girl he was interesting in found out what he did and viewed him differently. He was really up set that the ‘good’ girl wouldn’t talk to him as much anymore. I asked him what he really liked doing, skipping school and getting high or doing well in school? He told me that he never really liked being bad. He only did it because he thought the people he hung out with and did that stuff was cool and it made him cool. He enjoyed living on the edge but hated the consequences. That was it that was my paradigm shift. I realized that if you’re not true to yourself and be who you are that some of the good things you can have in life are going to pass you by because you’re trying to be something you’re not; you let people influence your decisions. Don’t try and let people make who you are, let your self figure it out.
ReplyDeleteMy brother has shown me many examples of what not to do in life, that cause a paradigm shift in how i act and live my life. Most of all he had taught me to rely on myself and save my money for what i need, or what i might need in the future. He spent his money easily, saving nothing. Yet he had always had dreams for a good future, but dream after dream, nothing ever goes right for him. His car put him in a debt to my parents, and now he is working day to day, trying to get a place to live together. My brother has been able to provide me a personal view of what to do, and what not to do in my life going through the same things he has already.
ReplyDelete@mjoaquino I have always liked teachers that would go off onto unrelated topics the whole period until the tests came and i had no clue what i was doing. I valued my harder teachers a lot more. except homework, homework is never a good idea.
ReplyDeleteThrough out middle school a girl that I grew up with became distant from her friends, school activiteies and school in general. Everyone thought she changed and was weird, she was often talked about. She disapeared from school for a little while no one had any clue as to what was going on she just faded out of our thoughts. Later once she was back to school in 9th grade we all found out that she developed a serious eating disorder. Everyone felt bad for assuming things and talking about her while she was what we later found out was rehab. I then began to look at her and many other people differently because I learned the real reason she developed this disorder, she was bullied
ReplyDeleteOne of the paradigm shifts I experienced came from watching television shows is where severe things have happened to people. This has changed my perspective on things such as yelling at people or completely ignoring them, because this could trigger something very dangerous. Even though it's mostly not true that people would react in a drastic ways in specific situations that person might. The fact that many people are unpredictable and you don’t know what they are thinking or capable of is a scary thought. You know what you would do in that situation, but the other person could be completely opposite. This has changed my perspective because I am more careful in certain situations that could potentially be dangerous. It could range from it being a simple problem or a very serious one. I also think this due to personal experiences.
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ReplyDelete@ogutirrez I can completely relate to you, I was in a similar situation before! I'll forever be thankful for how well my ex didn't treat me, it's very bitter sweet but I've learned to create boundaries and protect myself. I now see my ex with his new girlfriend who is also miserable in a relationship with him.
ReplyDelete@ Jfenner, i understand where your coming from with helping around with your family more because of your grandfather. About 4 years ago my dad was diagnosed with arthritis in his knee. It has made a huge impact on me and my family. My dad cant walk fast and when he does walk its very slow. He loved being active and going out doors but with him having arthritis it has held him back from doing the things he loves. He sits inside most of the days and i wish i could do something to help him get better. Going through this experience has got me more involved with my family and changed my view on how lucky we are to be healthy and too not take it for granted.
ReplyDelete-I experienced my dad spending a week in the hospital because his appendix bursted. He had stomach problems for a while but he never thought anything of it. While he had these stomach aches their was actually acid leaking in his stomach. He had poison leaking in his body. The doctors said he was very close to dieing because he waited so long to go to the hospital. He had to have surgery to take all the poison and his appendix taken out. This has made me be careful about the things I do and if I have a pain I will get checked right away. I don’t want to go through what my dad did so I will be careful with what I do and be safe so I don’t end up in the hospital. I also have to do things for him that he could usually do himself. Also if something heavy has to be moved or carried im the one doing it because of my dads surgery.
ReplyDelete@ J.Fenner im going through the same thing with my dad. I have to help him and be the man around the house.
ReplyDelete@sjusto first off I like the way you write you put personality in it. Anyway I could really relate to your paradigm shift. I went through a time where I tried to surround my self by people that influenced me in a bad way. Once I stopped being their friend i saw a major change in my self. I could be who I really wanted to be and found friends who appreciated me for it. Ever since then I never tried to be something I wasn't. I am really glad to hear that you could do the same (: I liked that when I read your post it reminded me of that and I instantly felt good about it.
ReplyDeletePHess I like your paradigm shift. Not every career needs a college degree. Its important to do your best, but like you said it shouldn't be the center of someone's life. College and getting a job is important but isn't something that your whole focus should be about. I definitely feel that the advice your teacher gave you is true.
ReplyDeleteI started to work at a nursing home about a year and a half ago. My job requires me to interact with the elderly that live there. Before I started to work there I thought that elderly people were sick,frail,and were just waiting to pass away. As I soon found out, that's not at all true. Through talking with many of the residents I found that they were smart,wise,funny, and have so many life experiences to share with others.
ReplyDeleteI've lost two cousins in tragic car accidents. This has not only affected me drastically, but these experiences have taught me to be more aware, not only when I'm driving, but whenever I do anything.
ReplyDeleteI was never good in school until i hit high school. I always thought id never be able to fail a class or a grade, I was a slacker. My parents used to always yell at me about my grades but I never cared enough to listen to them. My dad took the whole family to see my mom get her masters degree and her bachelors degree. I will never forget that moment when I saw how happy and proud she was to have succeeded in getting something she worked for. It changed my whole perspective on school and going to college.
ReplyDeleteI haven't gotten the full perception on this topic, i understand that it has to do with life changing experiences. I guess i don't get it because I've never really had a point in my life that has changed my thinking of why im here or what my purpose is. I'm still looking for that answer.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up i didn't have the best childhood years. I played basketball growing up and my mom NEVER came to any of my games. To be honest I can't remember the last time my mom said "I LOVE YOU" what i do remember is her being at one PTA meeting out of my whole school years. Since i been 15 i have been through 7 homes. I've been abuse;physically and turned down. I've heard it all..believe me. That I'm not gonna make it, that no one will ever love me, that i should drop out and get my ged etc. I stay with a friend at this moment and the summer is coming, which means i need to find a new home to finish up school. Who knows where I'll end up, i just hope and pray it's not on the sidewalk or dead. So yes i have experience a little hard life down the road but that doesn't mean i"m not gonna make it or that i should give up. i've learn something very important from all i been through, to not judge people, and to love people no matter what background their from or who they are. I learn to open my hearts but my biggest lesson learned is that just because you see someone smiling, doesn't mean they haven't been through some obstacles in life.
ReplyDelete@Jbaltzersen, I feel the same way, sometimes I sit back and wish I would have taken school more seriously but I never really had a parent to push me to do so. My mom always worried about other more important things that I don't blame her for since she was a single mom.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure many of our parents warn us about speeding and how we should all drive safely wherever we go. But being the teens that we are we disregard them and do it anyway. Well, I was one of those knuckle head teens and decided it would be fun to speed down a local road. It all started first when I left my house and went to pick up my brother from practice and the thought popped in my, "I wonder how fast this thing can go"? I jumped in the car and turned my music up as I backed out of my driveway. As I approached bridal path road I made a left onto it. Seeing that no one was one it I stepped on the gas and was doing 60 mph in a 35 mph speed zone. As I neared the end of the road a group of cross country runners popped out from up the road. I did not see them till the last minute and had to swerve out of the way in order to avoid hitting them. At the same time another car approached in the other lane and I had to avoid that car to. The lesson I learned from this experience was that I should drive slower and be more cautious.
ReplyDeleteA moment in my life that generated a paradigm shift was when I was involved in a car accident that changed my perspective on life. One day I was driving when I ended up crashing into three cars and totaling two of them. One of the cars ended up hitting me on the driver's side. With my car and three others crashed I was disbelief that this had happened to me. This was a significant moment in my life because I walked out of that accident without a scratch on me. I felt blessed to come out of there the way I came in. From then on I'm more careful and cautious of the way I drive.
ReplyDelete@A.Mac, I also agree that from this experience I'm more careful and cautious of the way I drive. I rather be a safe driver and know I have my health and I'm safe.
ReplyDeleteI have been either crying, blown away, or simply in awe by the range of experiences I have read through from the above posts. Just when you or even I thought I knew you all, I still learn more about you. Just keep in mind though, you should feel proud of yourself since it was YOU who made the change. No one else and for no one else. Live by those "principles" and you will be able to say, very honestly, "I love my life." I wish this all and more, for each one of you.. and coming from me, Mrs. Erdman, you know I don't sugar coat anything (-:
ReplyDelete@cpoineau (it's sjusto , idk what's going on with my computer right now!) i'm glad that we can relate with the same type of issue at hand. Depending on who you surround yourself by, your personality will tend to change, and it will change subconsciously. Your situation with your friend is really interesting because as teens we all tend to change for the person we're interested in and camouflage ourselves to blend in to their likes and dislikes. Opposites do attract. Though it may not be the end of the world for him, he still has a chance to change and find someone who will appreciate him for who he is. As for you, just stay the way you are, please! Your bright, funny, nice, amazing self will get you places. :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I was about 14 years, I was at musicfest with all my friends. I noticed some of my friends were disappearing, so I asked where they went. My friend told me they went off to do drugs. When I heard that my heart stopped. Kids that I've grown up with and played baseball with have changed. I can still see us all with the state championship trophy in our hands and all the great times we had. Now my closest friends got turned into different people. I remember my friend taking me home that night and I was crying in the back seat. I never wanted my friends to change like that, but that now motivates me to never smoke or drink. I'm doing everything I can to stay healthy and keep playing baseball. I'm trying to show how if someone stays away from distractions, you can accomplish big things.
ReplyDelete@IGreen. I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you continue to support him. Your story just proves how much the gift of life is so precious and we need to take advantage of it.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather just passed away in May. It hit me hard. I guess i took all the times we spent together for granted. In my mind he would always be there for me. He could be the one i could go to when i need to laugh or talk to. He always told me stories about his life. I wont take moments like those for granted any more because you never know when your going to lose someone special. Anyone can go at any time. That was my personal shift. Another shift was something i witness. Staying on the same subject. At my grandfathers funeral it broke my heart when my sister went up to say some words about him. She said she really didnt remember him and didnt have that many memories. She couldnt remember anything at all. It broke my heart. Now i know she is going to start seeing family memebers more often like my grandmother and cousins and people like that.
ReplyDelete@AMac. I can easily Relate to that. People say im a reckless driver. But i have had a similar experience to that of yours. And i know you like to drive quick, and almost get hit by a bus. Lol. But im glad it changed your perspective because my experience didnt.
ReplyDelete@Snead and @Amac. I hope this separate incident with the "bus" occurred prior to your supposed intentions to be a better driver... Ha.
ReplyDeleteGOt these two entries integrated into the gradebook! Have an awesome summer.