The term “game change” refers to those moments when a play is made that changes the tide of the game, shifting the momentum from one team to the other, setting the tone for the remainder of time on the clock, foreshadowing victory or defeat. It has become a sports metaphor for that type of event in many contexts, like campaigns, wars, marriages, careers, and life. It’s that moment when everything changed, when the wind shifted, or the sun broke through, or the tsunami hit. At the time, we may not even recognize its significance, but in hindsight we know that our life was not ever the same after it.
Click here to read the rest at Life, for instance. Please leave a comment there to share a game changing moment in your life.
related post: Game Change
My game-changing moment was when I pole vaulted 10 feet, by bending the pole.
ReplyDeleteI had try something different, if I wanted to reach a new level. Bending the pole changed everything.
JD, Gosh there are a lot of potential metaphors in that story! The main point for me, though, was that your tried something different, a new approach. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteI loved the post, Galen! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteVidya, Thanks for sharing your story on Lori's site.
Deleteit's a great post Galen. I had many episodes in my life, because as soon as I adapted to a big turn over, something new came and made a full change again. It happened at 5 when I moved from my grandparents place to my parents. At 13, sexual abuse, It happened when I got married...
ReplyDeleteNicky, True, our lives seem to be a series of game changing moments. Some of them are tragic and damaging, like sexual abuse. Others are full of promise and opportunity. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteI left an example of a major game-changing experience on the other web site but it doesn't seem to be there. I'll repeat it here if you'd like!
ReplyDeleteBob, Your wonderful story is there. I responded to it and so did Lori. Check again! The comments appear in reverse order, which might have been confusing. (Took me awhile to catch onto that!)
DeleteGalen, my game changer in life is when I remarried at the age of 50 after being single for 20 years. My husband I truly believe God brought us together. We have only been married 8-1/2 years, centered totally around God, so in a way, I guess you can say, God was the game changer! Wouldn't want it any other way! Thank you also for your sweet comments you leave on my blogs. You always leave me with such a warm loving feeling. Kelly
ReplyDeleteKelly, Ha, I think God would like the description as a game changer! Thank you for your kind words.
DeleteI enjoyed your thoughts on this one. We have moved around a lot and had many different experiences in each place. I think the one game changer was when my husband was promoted in his work and we prepared to move to Washington from Nevada. He had a heart attack and that changed many things for us. We still moved and he went back to work. We lived there for 15 years and had so many wonderful opportunities with Church callings. Our children were pre-teen and teenagers and they had some marvelous experiences in that area. These were wonderful years of growth for our whole family.
ReplyDeleteLeAnn, Thanks for sharing your story. It's wonderful when a move like that turns out so well for the whole family. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteMy book group is discussing 3 movies tonight about change...and my book review is about an artist who found her life's work at age 72 - stunning book about a woman from the 1700 who was able to adapt and change and by doing so became one of the greatest artists and botanists (gardeners) of her lifetime....I hope you will come over and check it out 5/14/2012 Patricias Wisdom...the beauty of the book is worth the reference here.
ReplyDeleteThe movies we watched were Creation, The Tree of Life, and Poetry....stunning portrayals of game changing moments...I think I am in the middle of a game changer myself...feeling hopeful
Patricia, How exciting to be in the middle of a game change moment. Sounds like you are very positive about it. Let me know how it turns out. And thanks for the info about the book and the movies.
DeleteI've had a few game-changers when the wind shifted and suddenly my boat was heading in the other direction. Joining the military and many years later taking a job in Europe were major decisions but ones that changed ny life in a major way. Then there were two deaths that shook my foundation and sent me reeling...First my Grandmother then the death of Erin my beloved dog. Your blog is inspiring and I like what I see. Take care!!
ReplyDeletehttp://erinsdomain.blogspot.com/2012/05/mothers-love.html
David, What a great description of a game change moment. I usually think of images from football games, but I love the image of the wind shifting and the boat turning. Death is a significant game change event for us. The lost of a loved one, human or other, is felt for the rest of our lives. Thank you so much for your kind words.
DeleteI really like David's wind-shift idea. For me having my first child was the biggest game-changer - it (or rather, he) changed everything about my life. Forever.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this idea, Galen.
Yes, I like David's image, too. Children are major game changers, aren't they?! I remember going to dinner with a friend the night before I adopted my first child. I kept saying, "Tonight is the last night of my life that I won't be a mother. No matter what else happens, I will be a mother for the rest of my life." Thanks for commenting.
Deleteyeah, game changers are important. I guess for me landing an important jump incompetition is one of the biggest, yeah, I dont have kids!! little brother though, that was a super game changer since I am over ten years older than him.
ReplyDeleteMy sister is 12 years older than I am, so she probably thought I was a game changer, too! What kind of jump competition? Thanks for your comment.
DeleteUnfaithfulness....my ex-husband's...Ha! One time...changed my life forever...for the better.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it wasn't great at the time, but how wonderful that you turned a bad situation into a positive life change. That was a game changer for sure. Love your attitude! Thanks for commenting.
DeleteLoved your post on game-changer moments , Galen. There are no coincidences in life. My moment was the day I gathered whatever courage I had left after living in an abusive relationship for 10 years to step out and get a job, something that I had never thought I could. That day changed everything for me and what followed after freed me from my fears and my dependency on an alcoholic husband. I am still feeling the ripples of that game changer moment.
ReplyDeleteRimly, Those are the moments emblazoned on our soul, aren't they? I'm so happy for you--I know that took a tremendous amount of courage. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteI am one how just jumps right in without thinking. I would put my children’s births at the top. Teaching ESL overseas second. I believe your game changer was a spectacular. An I did not see it coming moment.
ReplyDeleteBonnie, Yes, I think those of us who are parents would certainly count those moments a big life changes. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteHi Galen,
ReplyDeleteI'm going to head over there right now...
Hiten, Thanks for your comment on Lori's site.
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