Sometimes a key moment can make a world of difference in our lives. Those moments are deeply underrepresented in our conversations relative to the importance they play in our lives. We hope to begin to remedy that below.
Kristina Corrales
When I was 18, my mom had a seizure in a salon chair and was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. I remember getting a phone call while I was working at my neighborhood Starbucks in Oxnard, California. ‘Your mom is in an ambulance, please meet us at the hospital’. At that moment, I knew my childhood was officially ending. Read More>>
Samira Jafari
A moment that really shaped how I see the world was being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. At first, it felt like my life had been turned upside down, but over time it completely shifted my perspective. I realized how important it is to focus on the present, to celebrate small wins, and to never take health or opportunities for granted. Read More>>
Amber McKinney
As a kid, noticing an elderly unhoused man pushing his grocery cart along the side of the freeway immediately opened my eyes to the disparity that exists in the world and to also opened my eyes to my life purpose. I felt a rush of energy and as soon as I got home I wrote a poem about that man. Read More>>
Dahiana Bilbao
Loss. The loss of my beloved dog, my grandparents, too many friends. Knowing without loss, the pain and suffering that comes with it is the opened doorway to love. To elevation. To a divine, accelerated awakening of who we are while in this time and place so temporary. To rememeber “you don’t live once” – you get to live every single day and die once. Read More>>
Joseph Delgado
A moment that really shaped how I see the world was when I first started listening to hip-hop at a young age—not just the beats, but the lyrics. Hearing artists speak out about social issues, injustice, and real-life struggles opened my eyes to things I hadn’t fully understood before. Read More>>
Terrill Carter
I’ve always been a dreamer, someone with a boundless imagination, and I truly believe that mindset can take you far in life. I had an imaginary friend until I was 13, and I think that says a lot about how vividly I experience the world around me. Read More>>
Tristin Cole
Surreal moments like swimming alongside humpback whales – where time seems to slow and the vastness of life becomes humbling – have deeply influenced how I perceive the world, reminding me of the quiet, majestic beauty that exists beyond the everyday. Read More>>
