Epiphany

Epiphany: 3 a (1): a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something (2): an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking (3): an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure b: a revealing scene or moment

Merriam Webster Online

There are certain moments in life where things become evident. When you're a child, you come to the realization that you aren't going to be a major league baseball player or world renowned actress. It doesn't mean you lose your love for the activities, or don't continue to strive to be the best you can be, but the dream of being the next Clemens or Streep fades away. As you age, there are moments when you find that your parents were right, that you picked the right or wrong major in college, or that you will always be alone.

It is these moments, mile markers on our life paths, that direct us at those critical forks in the road. They come when you least expect them. A lot of times, at least for me, I find they are things I already kind of knew but was denying or unconsciously surpressing. I think that for some reason, our minds hold these revelations back until we're ready to handle them. How the mind knows we're prepared, I have no idea. I suspect that may play a big role in faith and religion for many people.

I had one of these epiphanies (which is a weird word to spell and type) during a conference call on Thursday. I was sitting there, half paying attention, when something that was said struck me. It was as if the speaker at the other end of the call reached through the line and turned on the proverbial lightbulb over my head. It had something to do with the topic being discussed, but it suddenly took a tangent and became more personal for me. It got me thinking about things positive and negative, about memories from the past and visions of the future, about my life, its failings and possibilities. For that instant, it was as if the skies had opened and the questions I had been ignoring were answered. It won't be a quick fix, but out of some initial suffering will be a solid result.