We go through life on a continuum of time. 

However, the progression from one state to another isn't linear. 

We don't gradually make progress, change our beliefs or learn new things in a continuous manner.

We do them in discrete jumps. 

Some experiences bring about a change in us just over a weekend, while others may fail to do so even over several weeks or months. 

The ones that do are our defining moments.

They change things in the time continuum that comes after.

When we look back, we can spot the jumps we have made from one such defining moment to another.