Examples:
Jimmy lived with his single mom and became a really big bully. Living with his single mom is the area of his life that explains why he is a bully.
Sandra was called fat when she was 13 years old, and she became anorexic. Sandra being called fat when she was 13 years old is the area of her life that explains why she became anorexic.
Leo's daughter got in a death-defying car wreck with in 18-wheeler and now feels uneasy around them. Leo's daughter getting in a death-defying car wreck is an area of his life that explains why he feels uneasy around 18-wheelers.