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3yrs old: Early Childhood stage.
- I was fluently conversing in English/beginning to recognize written words when I learned Japanese.
- Entire environment outside my nuclear family unit changed.
- Lost contact with extended family system
- Japanese preschool, babysitters, and church family were the new elements in my social system. As part of my life trajectory, I became bilingual at an early age and experienced both acceptance and rejection in Japan based on my status as a foreigner. -
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- 13 years old: early adolescent stage
- Family moved to the United States after my father’s position was terminated in Japan
- Family system impacted as my parents struggled with the transition and I went to boarding school, separated from my nuclear family unit Life trajectory: first time I experienced depression and sought help for my psychological needs, living alone led to independence, and I was forced to adjust to American culture rapidly in high school.
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I was 19, in the late stage of adolescence, when I started school at Pepperdine University, because of a scholarship I had not expected to receive. I was grateful and excited about the opportunity. My social system was impacted with a entirely different set of friends although I only moved 20 minutes away from Santa Monica to Malibu. This social change has been one of the biggest influences on my preferences, values, and interests in my life trajectory.
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I was 22, an emerging adult, when I volunteered in a Tsunami affected area, recruited for my Japanese speaking ability. My psychological system was impacted by the difficulty of processing the many tragedies and emotions I encountered. I suffered briefly from PTSD-like symptoms. This impacted my life trajectory, cementing my intention to do meaningful work that involved spiritual encouragement.
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24: emerging adult
- Move to Romania on a scholarship
- Tasked with teaching college courses/working on a community impact project. I worked to impact the residential “orphanage” system in Romania by introducing mentoring programs.
- Social network expanded to include Romania, maintained connection to college friends/family on Skype.
This event impacted my life trajectory by increasing my confidence as a social impact innovator and reinforcing my cross-cultural navigation skills. -
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25 yr old: emerging adult
Broke my neck in a car accident.
- Physical systems all impacted
Spine fractured, C1 burst fracture
- 4.5 months in a spinal halo device immobilized torso, led to severe muscle atrophy in back, shoulders, and neck.
- Psychological system stressed
- Paralyzation a possibility for 6 months.
- Family system impacted positively; parents cared for me.
Life Trajectory: Experience of being disabled moving/humbling. Physical therapy led to yoga teacher certification.
