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Birth
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Lowest Self-Esteem
(-8) Became convinced that I was stupid and worthless because of the bullying I experienced and the things that were said to me. -
Baptism
(+10) a spiritual pinnacle, it was for me my affirmation of my faith through obedience to Jesus's teaching about how to join with Him. -
National Merit Finalist
(+8) Opened my eyes to the possibility of my own potential. Had a slight positive impact on my self-esteem. -
Marriage
(+9) after being convinced for so long that I was incompetent and undesirable, my and my wife's love for each other was confirmed in marriage. My wife and I have been mutual supporters of each other. She is central, key, crucial to most of what I have been able to accomplish in life. -
First great disillusionment
(-8) I has always assumed that I'd be a researcher and a teacher. Just always assumed that. As a grad student, I saw first-hand the petty politics and (often vicious) competition on college faculties. I saw lying, manipulation, even character assassination. It shocked and disgusted me - I was so naive. Professors at both Stanford and Ga Tech talked to me about their own discouragement. I decided never to join a faculty. -
Ph.D. Degree
(+7) [Atlanta GA] achievement of a childhood goal, proved to myself that I could actually accomplish such a goal and be respected for it. First time I ever felt respected for anything I could do. -
Birth of first child
+10 -
Birth of second child
+10 -
Second great disillusionment
(-7) The government's politics and corruption are widespread and very dangerous to those involved in it's ways and programs. I left behind any kind of professional association with the government. It was a second crushing blow to me professionally. I focused on careers in the corporate world. -
Exec in Multinational Corp.
(+3) Opportunities to travel the world and experience corporate interactions between different cultures. Ugliness of international corporate politics, but also made friends from different nations and cultural backgrounds. -
Third great disillusionment
(-6) Saw corporate corruption. Abandoned life career path in science and technology; return to grad school to pursue a more people-positive career - professional counseling. -
Ministry in South Africa and Zimbabwe
(+10) My wife and I worked with wonderful, tireless, and very brave people who unselfishly put themselves in danger of illness, violence, and natural disaster to help others. I became of full-time minister following this trip.