What It's Like to Be Superman...

Life ever thrown you a curve ball?

Man, sometimes it's really strange. Not that I'm old or anything, but I remember when I was younger. Ok, just two years ago really. No problems I couldn't handle, everything going great, my health was fine and life was grand.

And then BOOM! Suddenly I realized that I wasn't God. Or Superman either.

I know that this wasn't any major revelation. But what I mean is that I suddenly understood that it just wasn't really possible for me to control everything and have it go my way. Always.

And then a week ago another subtle reminder. Enough already.

I was in ER again with the most excruciating pain I've ever experienced. Friends called it "male child-birth." If that's really the case, it's a wonder we have population growth. I discovered to my joy and amazement I had kidney stones. In a word, wonderful! But I won't further burden you with this fun.

Anyone else have similar experiences that changed you somehow? Let me know.

The bottom line--what did I learn? I don't know yet, I'll keep you posted. I just know that these last few years have been a blow to my self-confidence and belief in myself.

I've begun to have much more compassion and understanding with others. I think they call that grace. My perspective on life has also changed drastically.

What I think is important these days is completely different than even 5 years ago. And yes, I'm not nearly as cocky, self-sure or thinking of myself as someone who can do anything and everything all the time.

Can you relate? What's your story?

Spicy Schezwuan: Got Religion?

A little over a year ago, I had quite the moving experience.

But it's not what you think. I'm talking about my gut. I ate at my usual neighborhood chinese joint, ordering my fav kungpao chicken. Only this time around it didn't agree with me. Two days later I woke up to the fact that I probably didn't have food poisoning, but something much more serious.

Hours later I was screaming in pain having never thought anyone outside a mother giving birth to twins could experience such unbelievable agony. After enduring the impossible--you know--the frightening wait in the ER not knowing what was going on, they finally gave me the good news.

"You were hours away from being dead." No joke. Not exactly my favorite memory. I was told that I needed emergency surgery cuz my appendix had burst. I was a mess inside and felt like it.

Since I'm here writing this you've probably gathered I made it thru.

And I have to say that as horrible as everything was (go ahead...YOU try sucking gourmet hospital food thru an IV or getting pain meds from Nazi Nurse), I had what I would term a "religious experience." Don't be afraid, I'm not a religious nut and it was actually pretty cool.

What I discovered was how precious life was and how little time we all have to live out our dreams.

Whatever that looks like for you, do you really know how much time you have to GET IT DONE? Probably not.

I know it was a huge wake-up call for me and as weird as this sounds, I'm glad it happened. I wouldn't have gotten back on track if it didn't.