“Life experience is what defines our character” – Nev Schulman

Think of all the experiences that define who you are. Think of the first time a teacher encouraged you to pursue a certain dream. Think of your first relationship and how it played out. Think about the time your parents encouraged you to pick up an instrument or play a sport.

Think about your first heartbreak. Think about the first time you hit the ground really hard and had to pick yourself up. Think about the time you lost someone you really loved.

Life is full of moments and experiences that make up who we are. We go through life and things happen to us- expected or unexpected. Things don’t always turn out how we expect, but sometimes they work out even better.

Either way, all of those experiences and moments contribute to the person you are today. So take a second and ask yourself, what moments define you right now? Do you like that those moments are what are defining you?

Maybe your moment was the first time a family member suffered an illness, and you decided that you would become a doctor. Maybe your moment was the first time you scored a touchdown and now you’re a college athlete.

Are you happy with what moment is defining you? Are the negative or positive experiences making you who you are?

For me, I have been letting negative experiences define who I have been. I let heartbreak make me someone that I’m not, and I let it negatively impact what could have been future positive experiences.

You can’t let heartbreak keep you from loving and trying again. You can’t let one betrayal keep you from trusting again. You have to rise above the negative experiences and the really hard moments, and let them help you appreciate the positive experiences and the joyous moments.

Which moments define you? If you don’t like it, then change it.

“Now I’m sure of this: the sufferings we endure now are not even worth comparing to the glory that is coming and will be revealed in us.” –Romans 8:18