At a women’s event, I recently went to a few of the ladies were asked what was one defining moment that had a profound impact on them. I loved hearing everyone’s answers as they shared different intimate and powerful moments in their lives.

I couldn’t help but reflect back on my biggest aha moment I’ve had in my life. It happened a few years ago back in June of 2011. I was out-of-town for a business trip in San Jose, California. I was so excited to travel since I rarely ever went anywhere and it was my very first time on an airplane! I was 21. I was with my older sister and her boyfriend at the time in our hotel room when I received the call from my sister, Brenda, back home in Houston. She gave me the news that my father had suffered a heart attack earlier that day and that it wasn’t looking too good.

I literally dropped to my knees, started bawling, I was in shock. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Just 2 days before I had seen him, said goodbye to him as he wished me a safe trip. Never did I think it would be the last time I would see him. We flew into Houston and when we arrived at the airport my sister’s boyfriend at the time broke the news that my dad had passed away. Turns out my sister back home had given him the message that my dad hadn’t made it even before we flew out of San Jose.

The passing of my father made me realize I didn’t want to live a life without meaning. That I wanted to be able to give back to the world in a positive way. I wanted to go after all of the goals I had in my mind. It made me realize I didn’t want to live a predictable life, to choose the path that made more sense but to choose the one that felt right in my soul.

At that time I was in a network marketing company where I had learned about the self-help industry. I was also attending the University of Houston where I was studying Retail and Merchandising. I finished my bachelor’s degree back in May of 2015 knowing that I most likely would not use it because I had discovered a new passion of mine. I loved the idea of being able to help others live more meaningful lives. And ever since then one desire that has been placed in my heart is to help others discover what kind of life they truly want to live.

I remember growing up, my dad would be watching the news and they would be covering a sad story, I could see the tears swell up in his eyes. I’d like to think that I gained my compassionate side from him. He loved being good to people and helping with anything he was able too.

I really do believe that everything that happens in our lives is there to teach us something. Whether it was a loss of a child, a divorce, a loss of a job, or in my case the death of a parent there is something you can learn if you dig deep. I honestly don’t know if I would be this passionate about life if my dad was still alive. I might have stayed in that same predictable path I thought was the right one to take. But his passing thought me to ask myself the question, If not now, then when? Not to waste time on unimportant things. To embrace who you are and to seek within for the answers. And to be so so grateful for the people in your life.

Thank you so much for reading/watching. Sometimes it’s so hard to talk about my dad’s passing without bursting into tears but I think the more I share and talk about it the easier it gets with time.

And now I ask you what is one moment in your life that had a profound impact on you? What or how did you change for the better after it? Please share in the comments down below! I would love to hear from you. <3

And as always,

Wishing you love, success, and a lifetime of bliss!