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Hey Pandas, What’s One Experience You Have That Changed Your View On Life And The World? (Closed)
Just wondering what kind of life-changing experiences anyone here has had.
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#1
I was asleep in a tent in Tsavo national park, when a bloke on a motorbike started riding in circles around my tent. Annoying. So I unzipped the tent, stuck my head and at the top of my voice told him to: "F**K OFF!!" The noise stopped, I went back to sleep. In the morning I asked my cousin, a native of Kenya, in the neighbouring tent if he'd heard the biker. "Not a biker, a large male lion, sitting by that tree just over there - he was throwing his voice. You, telling him to f**k off was the funniest thing I've heard in years." The lesson is: if you don't know it's scary - it isn't scary.
Final score:
43points
Yoga Kitty 3 years ago (edited)
Not gonna lie - this made me laugh out loud, so one of my kitties came over to find out what was so funny - should I tell her that somebody disrespected her relative?
Illustrious G 3 years ago
This reminds me (in a tamer version) of how I yelled at my cat who was climbing a tree in my yard at night. “My cat” happened to be a raccoon that turned to face me and I backed away slowly!
censorshipsucks 3 years ago
wait you can't tell the difference between a lion and a motorbike??
RELATED:
#2
The death of my mum, and later my dad....to stand totally alone on this earth is a scary thing
Final score:
39points
K- THULU (Submission author) 3 years ago
Thanks... Appreciate it... But I have been alone for 20 yrs now.... ( at least up until 8 mths ago when I joined BP....
Load More Replies... Sharon Morris 3 years ago
Yes, and most of my siblings. In a short time our family went from 7 to only 2. Myself and youngest sister. Traumatic and still having grief issues. 😔 🥺😫
Karin Johansson 3 years ago
I’m so sorry for your losses. Hope you can turn to friends and relatives. Awful to feel alone.
Your Neighborhood Alien 3 years ago
Ngl, this is basically one of my greatest fears in life. 😅
#3
When I was a young man I used to believe that the world was black and white, right was right, wrong was wrong and there was nothing in between. Then my brother came out to my parents and they told him not to tell me because of my strong beliefs. The moment that I did find out, not only that he was gay but that my parents thought I was so rigid in my beliefs that I could not be trusted to react positively really shook me. It forced me to take a long look at myself and my beliefs and how I presented to the world. I came to realize that life was far from black and white, in fact it's mostly shades of grey. Not always of course but more often than not, and that religions can be terribly destructive. There is really only one rule in life, treat others as you would have them treat you, no matter your belief structure, if you do this you can't go wrong.
Final score:
38points
#4
Within 7 years I lost my father, nearly my mum, I lost my husband, close friends and family. Life is too precious so to the living I will say "I love you" as often as I can.
Final score:
36points
Bored Retsuko 3 years ago
So sorry for you Caro Caro, and I'm so proud of you (if I may say so) for staying so positive and spreading kindness. ❤
Karin Johansson 3 years ago
I’m so sorry….. and you are right…. say I love you as often as you can! 💕 Be strong in your heart.
Your Neighborhood Alien 3 years ago
We love you, Caro Caro! You're one of my favorite users on here! 🤗
#5
Learning that there is nothing wrong we me, not wanting to party every day. I am just an introvert.
Final score:
28points
#6
All my life I have felt like the outsider. I didn't know then that I am neurodivergent, and have inherited endogenous depression, just to name two things I have since learned. I got bullied a lot and though my parents loved me, they weren't equipped themselves to help me understand myself, and how to get out from under the depression and angst. We moved to Australia from New Zealand and my life opened out. I expanded spiritually and emotionally. A really big watershed was taking my destiny in my own hands - I was bullied severely by line managers (I was a secondary school English teacher) until I had a nervous breakdown. I sued for Worker's Compensation for the PTSD and won my case, receiving a large sum, though it meant I had to resign. Loved those kids! Standing up for myself was my watershed moment. I learned a great deal through cognitive therapy, like to stop playing the victim card. Side note: thanks, Pandas for your upvotes and positive comments. So many lovely Pandas on this site! I have been perma banned but still upvote whenever I can, and this little note is my only way now to thank you all. .
Final score:
23points
Yoga Kitty 3 years ago
Unfortunately, it is very easy to get banned on Bored Panda nowadays; people have still not gotten used to the fact that downvoting does no longer mean "I disagree" but "I want you banned"...
DCB 3 years ago
Which is JUST NOT RIGHT, BP!!! Listen up - CHANGE THE RULES!!!! THE REPORT BUTTON SHOUD BE WHAT PEOPLE CLICK TO BAN SOMEONE. The voting "rules" are ruining your site by banning good people!!! I don't know of ANY site that BANS people from the amount of DOWNVOTES!!!!
Load More Replies... #7
A few years ago i was on my low low point in life - depression, anxiety, i was eating my feelings, cut myself from friends and family... Then i met a girl who was... well really destructive for me - she got me to drink, was acting badass and such (i was around 27 at the time). We broke up, and a day or two after that i was taking a shower, just look at myself ( i wasnt fcking able to see my penis from my gut) and thought what the eff i was doing with my life ffs. The very next day i called my friend that owns a gym, he helped me alot, called my friends to recconect, and little by little i got myself together. Stop taking depression meds (didnt need them), lost alot of weight and gained muscle, got confidence. Nowadays (like 4-5 years after) i am in a really really happy relationship with the most gorgeous, sweetest, most caring girl i ever met, gained a bit belly again (dont work out atm but i want to get back to it), i am really happy for the first time after a long long time.
Final score:
22points
Lyoness 3 years ago
Please tell me you had medical approval for stopping your meds. It's dangerous to go cold turkey and diagnosing yourself is a bad idea.
And i was like WTF!! (Submission author) 3 years ago
Well yes, i had a check up and i was off
Load More Replies... #8
I was type A, extremely independent and a control freak. But then... ... I had a horrible horse accident. Ended up with 9 fractured bones including; 3 ribs, my left arm and shoulder, both wrists in multiple places, and my foot. By the time I was casted up and released from the hospital I was only able to use 4 fingers on my right hand and couldn't lift my left arm at all. I could not wash my own face, dress myself, I could not even wipe my own bottom. Being ENTIRELY dependent on other people taught me that it was okay not to be in control of everything.
Final score:
20points
Fluffy mommy panda 3 years ago
I got burnt real bad. 35% of my body face to end of stomach an while right arm and hand. I was on life support for two weeks. Could not eat for almost two months or drink. And I could not wipe my butt for about three months maybe longer. And couldn't move a lot from my bed. It was painful and from where they took skin graphs from my legs had to go to physical therapy. I got to say. It made me see life differently. Enjoy what you have and be happy to be alive. And remember what is most important in your life. ❤️. Sometime we can't do it all ourself.
#9
Sometimes it really is about perspective. Several years ago, still deep in depression, I was watching Doctor Who. I'll never forget, it was season 5, episode 10, Vincent and the Doctor. Near the end of the episode, after the companion realizes they weren't able to change Gogh's sad ending, the Doctor says, “The way I see it, every life is a pile of good things and bad things. The good things don’t always soften the bad things, but vice versa, the bad things don’t always spoil the good things and make them unimportant.” A bright light switched on in my head. I wouldn't say it was that moment alone that changed my life, but it was certainly a turning point in how I approached it. Since then, I've worked very hard over the years through therapy, happy pills, and fostering my relationships with the people I love. I'm in a much better place than I was. And I add to my good pile as often as I can and remember that the bad things don't spoil it.
Final score:
19points
Lori Nichols 3 years ago
One of my favorite episodes, and quote I use often in my therapy practice. So glad to hear you are in a better place and that episode and quote was meaningful to you too. The Doctor is awesome!
Fluffy mommy panda 3 years ago
I totally understand this and I use it in day to day life. It hard to explain how my mind works. But it like there a devil aways saying bad stuff about me and giving me all the memories of someone saying something related to it. Then I have to think about something that makes me happy. Like my kids love me. Or at least I have a car. Or at least I can do this. Or try to cancel out the bad thought s before they come. Like, okay that is not true. Or yeah and so what. But sometime every now then it wins and sometimes I get down and out. And I have a spell of crying and fighting with my head. ....it sounds crazy but......it my mind
#10
That anyone would deny what a disease can do to their child out of loyalty to a *politician*. Happened twice, but the first was more than enough to make me decide humanity may not be worth saving after all. And, as an MD, that's sorta awkward for me...
Final score:
18points
Caro Caro 3 years ago
Watching children die bc parents listened to an idiot!
Load More Replies... #11
Accepting that you cannot change people, as much as you'd like. That you should change your view of them rather. Also accepting oneself first.
Final score:
15points
#13
This might seem a bit small compared to the others but to me, it has helped a lot..when I changed schools for the first time ever at the age of 14, I had the epiphany of a lifetime. That no matter what if you're a perfect human being in everyway, there will always be at least one person who thinks you're a horrible person. And then thinking so, doesn't necessarily mean you are. And even if they think so, it's okay. Just be confident and surround yourself with people who love you and you love them back. And everything will be okay. 😊
Final score:
13points
Yoga Kitty 3 years ago
"You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and there's still going to be somebody who hates peaches." Dita Von Teese
#14
I am a 55f. I spent my entire life living by the golden rule. If there was a person or family in need; I always found a way to help them by hosting bake sales for them, buying the things they needed, paying bills for them, etc. When my ex-husband nearly died and had nowhere to go, I took him in and cared for him until he passed four years later. People used to tell me what a good person I was and that good things would come my way. But I never wanted praise or recognition. I just hoped if I ever found myself in their position, someone would help me. Now I am in that position, and unable to find any help. There is no good karma.
Final score:
13points
Caro Caro 3 years ago
I'm proud of you for taking care of others. Sorry you aren't able to get the support and care you need. HUGS PJ Langley.
Brandy P 3 years ago
Karma (as we use it in the Western world) is not real. People (rarely) get what they deserve, good or bad.
PJ Langley (Submission author) 3 years ago
I have seen bad karma come back twice to people that had done really bad things, but I have never know a really good person have something awsome happen for them.
Load More Replies... Brandy P 3 years ago
PJ, my heart goes out to you. I will help! Do a go fund me and I think more than one panda would? I've been where you are, in my own way. In 2015 I was laid off from a job and it devastated me emotionally. Two weeks later I lost the ability to stand or sit or walk for any period due to a degenerative disc disease. I proceeded to spend the next 15 months pulling myself out of that hole (lost my home and went through two painful spinal surgeries with long-term, endless rehabilitation and eventually bankruptcy from the medical bills...). "There but by the grace of god" go ANY of us!
PJ Langley (Submission author) 3 years ago
OMG! My soul sister! I am so sorry you went through that. Other than the surgeries, I am were you were at. My spinal doctor knows I can't afford surgery, and he's treating me the best he can in the meantime I also have four collapsed ribs lying on my left lung which makes it hard to breathe. I am permanently in pain and disfigured, so I am hoping my disability claim will be approved and soon. I am also looking for a PT WFH job. Maybe I will try a Go Fund Me if all else fails. Thank you so much for you kindess and support!
Load More Replies...
ejfs 3 years ago
Perhaps she is saying that she's feel abandoned because she helped others all their life but now nobody is willing to be a human being and help her when she needs it?
Load More Replies...
#15
The loss of my best friend—my brilliant mother. My life has never been same. I miss telling her all the silly minutiae of my life.
Final score:
12points
Lorraine R 3 years ago
I had a friend who wrote her mother a letter every Sunday without fail. Then her mother died. The following Sunday she sat down as usual and wrote a letter to her mother. She continued to do that for the rest of her life. It was her way of maintaining that connection and she got a lot of comfort from it.
#16
It sounds really small but at 26 years old, I got on a plane to Europe for a six-month backpacking trip by myself. At the time, I lived in a red state and worked in a professional setting. Opened up my mind ten-fold. Now decades later, I am progressive AF and have traveled to 96 countries. Still work in a professional setting though. But every 10 years or so, I take about two years to go backpacking. Now with my hubby. Made him into a backpacker too.
Final score:
10points
What do you think ?
DJ Struggz 3 years ago
When i was 14 i committed a violent crime. It ruined my life. I cant forgive myself. Nobody died. But i hurt someone that didnt deserve it. I put them in a position amd they reacted violently, which caused me to react even more violently. Basically a stupid prank gone wrong. This got me incarcerated at a very young age. Which onky led to more violence, drugs, and longer incarcerations. It all traces back to a horrid violwnce fkilled homelife that i was trying to escapr and ended up running into the very thing i was trying to flee....
DJ Struggz 3 years ago
Now i suffer night terrors, sleep walking, and so on. To say i have ptsd woukd be an understatement
Load More Replies... DJ Struggz 3 years ago
When i was 14 i committed a violent crime. It ruined my life. I cant forgive myself. Nobody died. But i hurt someone that didnt deserve it. I put them in a position amd they reacted violently, which caused me to react even more violently. Basically a stupid prank gone wrong. This got me incarcerated at a very young age. Which onky led to more violence, drugs, and longer incarcerations. It all traces back to a horrid violwnce fkilled homelife that i was trying to escapr and ended up running into the very thing i was trying to flee....
DJ Struggz 3 years ago
Now i suffer night terrors, sleep walking, and so on. To say i have ptsd woukd be an understatement
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