One Apple A Day #528 - defining moments
"When a defining moment comes along, you can do one of two things. Define the moment, or let the moment define you. "— from the movie "Tin Cup".
I don't remember how I ended up watching this movie years ago. It's not really Oscar's material. Probably it was before the "on-demand" era when there weren't many choices on TV. Anyway, I remember nothing about that movie but that sentence. And it comes back anytime I am, or someone I love is, going through a tough moment.*
I believe that somehow every moment is a defining moment. In the sense that every moment contributes to shaping your identity. Every moment in life we are called to choose how we want to respond to external circumstances. Our choice, as we saw in a previous post, will cast a vote towards the person we want to be.
But some moments are more defining than others. I'm talking about those events that can turn a life upside down. From the positive ones — having a baby, falling in love with someone, or winning the lottery — to the negative ones — losing someone you love, a divorce or a nasty illness. In those moments, it may feel as if the universe has something against you and it's easy to feel lost and without any way out or forward your current situation.
But we always have a choice.
"Forces beyond your control can take away everything you possess except one thing, your freedom to choose how you will respond to the situation." — Viktor Frankl
If you hide from that choice, then it's highly probable that the moment will define you. But if you choose to own the moment, you can define it and transform it into a growth opportunity. I'm not saying you can turn things around just because you decide to. Some situation can't just be changed or are outside your sphere of control. But you can decide how you show up.
"Man is capable of changing the world for the better if possible, and of changing himself for the better if necessary." — Viktor Frankl
So, if you are going through a defining moment, you may want to ask yourself "who do I want to be in this situation? What can I change about this situation? What can I change about myself? What opportunities to grow are here for me?"
* I've searched the scene on youtube. I believe that when the character, played by Kevin Costner, said that sentence to explain his stubbornness more than to talk about the importance of owning the moment. Though, that statement is still compelling.