The internet, Dr. Ray Hagins, seeing what was actually in the bible....

Culver Military Academy
U.S.Army aviation (Vietnam)
Finally, at 40 something, finding the right woman.

Bertrand Russell, "A History of Western Philosophy"
A book that quite literally changed my life.

It's hard to rank the many influences that made me who I am today. In fact I don't think there's any one that would have done it by itself. I will say though that my professional life has been my most consistent anchor and source of hope and sense of progress in life. It has sustained me when relationships have failed for various reasons, and even at its low ebbs, it has never put the prospect of starvation or economic collapse on the table (although other factors in my life, such as the cost of experimental treatments for my late wife's illness, have diverted what it has provided -- but even that was something we at least had the option to pursue, even if it was ultimately unsuccessful).

Looking at the promises offered by religion, romance, and such like, I have to say that my professional life has by comparison really delivered. And that's ironic, because I started out disparaging and deemphasizing the value of that, and was confident that my various delusional beliefs were the real trump cards in my life.

Numerology

Parents that rejected the system..

My mothers love.
My father's dedication to higher education.
My algebra teacher in high school, Mr. Ramsey (ya dad'gum).
The US Army.
The process of getting a BSCE from UCF.
My girlfriend's suicide 7 years ago.
All the things that didn't kill me that made me stronger.
Finally accepting there is likely not a god.

All the adversity in my life. If I hadn't grown tired of all the hate I had I wouldn't be here today.
Still fighting their hate and telling them to "Piss Off". It's so freeing and liberating to be assertive!!!

When I was in my early 40s I red a book that changed my outlook how I blame myself for not doing/living my life the way my mother wanted me to. That was very freeing.

The boyfriend who I lived with when I was 16 beat the living shit outta me. I became soooo much tougher and marched to the beat of my own drum after that. So to him I say Thanks arsehole, you did me a solid.

The death of my grandfather @57 yo when I was 17. That's when I stopped believing in God and my family started falling apart

I read the bible which is evidence enough against religion

Hard question. I don't have a pat answer.

Many people have had a positive effect on my life. I learn from everyone I meet.