History is full of points of departure that mark a never going back moment. A point of departure is not simply a crossroads. This describes a completely new road with a totally different destination never before considered until the event occurred.
For example, the first time the Wright brothers flew a plane in Kill Devil Hills. Transportation changed immediately. A whole new world opened up. A negative example could be when atomic bombs were dropped in WWII. That technology unleashed an expansive field of science that humans have been chasing control over ever since. A lot of events occur, and we are not sure what impact that event is going to have. The challenge we face is how we estimate or predict the impact of events in our lives. We would all like to get a replay on certain situations like investing in Apple or Google years ago versus going all in on Ask Jeeves. Personal points of departure have been unexpected. We would only be insane to assume that our original destination remains. Some events flip us to another road and therefore another destination.
How do we create an assessment of life events to predict if this is a point of departure or in other words a change in trajectory leaving the past abandoned? I have been attempting to create some guidelines for myself to help manifest positive reactions to points of departure. This is an attempt, so use what hits and ignore what misses.
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Is the event the start of something or the end of something ?
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Are you suddenly faced with leaving people behind that you can no longer take with you?
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Has the event sparked something dormant that you have ignored?
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When you close your eyes, does the event simultaneously scare and invigorate you?
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Will this event require you to make tough decisions that you have refused to make?
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Has the situation shaken your core principles?
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Have you come to a realization about someone or something that has forever changed your opinion?
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Does this event require you to say no to people, places and things that you have said yes to in the past?
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Are you terrified of what happens after the event?
Albert R. Hartley
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