When my dad died of AIDS on September 29, 2000, I decided to commit to evolving my consciousness.
To move the center of my world view away from surfing, drinking, and watching sports to learning about myself and other people so that I could become an authentic version of myself.
You see, I no longer wanted to be "that guy" – that guy who responded with "I don't know," "I don't care," "Why are you asking me?," or "Why does it matter?" to any social, cultural, or political issues.
I no longer wanted to be that guy because I no longer was that guy. My awareness of who I was had caught up with who I was.
I dove into self-exploration and elevating my cultural competence as if diving into the Pacific Ocean, knowing that I could never absorb all it had to offer, but trying to absorb it anyway.
And that's how I've lived my life ever since.
Personally. Professionally. Parentally. Relationally. Socially. Politically.
Mindfully. Intentionally. Unabashedly.
We all have moments that are the beginning of our transformation of consciousness. That shape our perspective. That clarify our worldview. That define our values and principles.
A moment that we look back on, and can say, "I used to think that. And now I think this."
My dad dying of AIDS was my moment. What's yours?