Throughout our lives, we experience thousands of memorable moments, many of which are defining moments. Sometimes these events confirm that we are on the right path, broadening our options and helping us mature. Looking back on my life, it is not difficult to select several events that confirm my path: learning to drive, graduating high school, meeting my wife, getting married and the birth of my children; these are just some of them. However, there are other times when an event is so dramatic that it changes you forever; it makes you jump off the track you're on and start a new path in a completely different direction. I've had many of these extreme moments in my life (in no particular order): finding God, learning sign language, and working with homeless ministries are just a few. Looking back, the most life-changing moment was when I heard and felt the cell door slam shut, isolating me from freedom for six months in the Los Angeles County Jail. Before this, I was a self-centered selfish narcissist and didn't know there was anything wrong with being like that. After that, I was very motivated to change my life for the better. Growing up as the second youngest of six testosterone-filled boys was definitely a challenge. Through constant fights with my brothers and boxing/wrestling lessons, I soon became quite good at self-defense; but that was only the beginning of my education. My father taught us logic and common sense, believing that these two skills, along with physical prowess, were mandatory for survival in this world. He believed that we were fundamentally better than everyone else, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, gender, or social status. It wasn't a racist thing, it was more... middle of paper... adults full of life, and a grandparent too. I became a champion for the same kind of people I mistreated; all in about 20 years. I'm not proud of who I was and I don't blame anyone but myself. If it hadn't been for that “life-changing” moment, I may never have started the change. That resonant sound of the cell door slamming will stay with me for the rest of my life. I can still feel it pulsating through my body, keeping me on track and focused on the goal. But this is not enough; without the support of my God, my family and my friends, I would never have made it. If you take anything away from my words so far, make sure it's this: just because your childhood taught you to behave a certain way, DOES NOT mean you will have to behave that way forever; It's completely up to you. With a lot of work and support, anyone can change; I am living proof of this.