Volume XXIII, Number 35 (Issue 1144) | September 1, 2025
Seminal Moments
When was the last time you experienced a seminal event? We have all had those moments when we paused, took stock, and more often than not, made a significant, perhaps radical, change in our course. I have had several pivotal moments where there was a near instantaneous impact. A few others took longer to unfold, recognize, and appreciate, but they too proved to be incredibly impactful.
According to behavioral research, there are three fairly common events that have a strong, though not perfect, correlation with a major course correction. Those three are a personal brush with death including the death of a loved one, the birth of a child (especially a first born), and a religious conversion experience. In my case, when I lost my father to heart disease some thirty-four year ago due to a lifetime of heavy smoking, I gave up cigarettes cold turkey. Five years later, following a faith-based weekend retreat, I made the decision to make the switch from a technical consulting field to one focused on leveraging human capital.
That latter momentous course correction was made despite my lack of formal education and work experience in that arena. But neither was it a roll of the dice, blind choice inasmuch as I had the guidance of a mentor who directed me to further vet my thinking with several individuals who had faced similar choices. Their feedback, three in favor, one opposed to my plan cemented my decision. In fact, the one opposed may have been the tipping point since it helped to double my resolve to prove him wrong.
That is two out of the big three for me. Then there was the birth of our son, which I nearly missed due to a work assignment, that ultimately contributed to another major career choice. So, make that three for three.
An additional radical transformation in my personal course occurred in the aftermath of a dressing down of that same son when he was thirteen years old. That mostly one-way exchange, witnessed by my wife, resulted in a round of soul searching. The upshot was a drastic alteration in my approach to parenting, being a husband, and managing/leading others. That change did not happen overnight. Rather, it required years of study and hard work, along with the grace of others for me to become a better version of myself.
I bring these four personal examples up because we all encounter forks in the road where we have an opportunity to change our course. In my case, when I have altered my path, the decision was inevitably driven by the realization that I was not going to like the ultimate destination and probably not the journey associated with the current path. But not every choice is as clear cut as the four I have cited. At times, when faced with a fork in the road, the decision may favor the one in the hand (the known) rather than the two in the bush (the unknown). At least it can seem that is the better (safer) bet – especially for those who are change and/or risk averse.
Having shared some of the seminal moments I have faced, let me ask you, how have you dealt with what were the pivotal events in your life? With the benefit of 20-20 hindsight, did you make the right choice?
Soli Deo Gloria
“Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:4-5
J. Keith Hughey
Mobile: (210) 260-0955
E-mail: keith@jkeithhughey.com
Website: www.jkeithhughey.com
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