I also got to shadow social workers there who truly help such importance in the community connecting resources, carrying for the babies, and really being leaders in the orphanage and in the surrounding area. My time in the Philippines connected me to my roots and the parts within me that carry such culture and felt ashamed due to living in America/colonization. It was the first time I really did something for myself, not what I felt I had to do for other people (hello huge people pleaser here!). This defining moment played such an huge impact in my life. My mom’s boss had adopted 2 children from an orphanage who was able to connect me to The Heart of Mary Villa, an orphanage located in Manila. I am Filipino American so desired at some point to visit the homeland and see my grandma who cared for me as a child and now lived there. So I decided to take off 1 semester and spend a few months in the Philippines. Experiencing other people in different cultures felt more important than doing what other people expected or needed me to do. But in my heart I knew I wanted to travel and see the world. There was a ton of pressure to go to college, from other people asking questions all the time about my plans, everyone else talking about where they were going, etc. I was 17 years old and really struggling with the idea about going to college and not feeling ready, even though everyone around me was. Despite not knowing exactly what form this would take, I knew in my heart that I had to make it a reality. I wanted to set a positive example for my family and friends, be of service to others, and make a meaningful difference. My goal was to use my knowledge to help others, just as I wished someone had done for me. However, I was determined to make a positive impact on the world in any way possible. When I started my newfound practice, I was uncertain about the direction it would take. He said “Nicole, forget about the science….sense the soul, what is the soul feeling?” this was Jesus, and I was shocked yet thrilled. Below, you’ll find talented and successful entrepreneurs and artists sharing the stories of defining moments in their lives. These inflection points often are the result of an illuminating moment where some truth of the universe presents itself in an easier to recognize form. Defining moments aren’t just exciting – they are thought-provoking and fertile ground for learning.
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