I’ve eaten one meal a day for most of my life.  This was for many reasons – mainly negligent and self-absorbed caretakers.  It got me ready to endure quite a bit and live out an eventful existence to date.  Even as a practicing attorney, I followed this pattern.  I basically ate two dishes – pasta with tuna, peas, and miracle whip and pasta with eggs and baked beans.  Watched a ton of sports and Netflix.  It allowed me to pay off loans, find a wife, and set the path to a future that is still being written.

This one is about how things that are worth it have great costs.

I joke that the highlight of my life wouldn’t be the weekly trip to Costco.  I do love Costco but it’s about more than that.  It’s about the dreaming.  So long as you can do that, God or the universe can come into that and work the necessary magic.  It will just involve pain – a boatload at times.  If you want to kiss the sky, better learn how to kneel.

I had a conversation with a friend who had similar upbringing and experiences.  We talked about how it was a hidden blessing to have a difficult path and how God gave enough moments of reminders to persevere.  I wanted a lot – even if I didn’t let it show.   The Asian community, especially the church ones, often conflate humility with defeatism, greatness with expertise.  As I’ve said the real game is still impact and influence.  I’ve sat with people with high sounding titles who have the authority of a glorified secretary.  That’s not a game worth playing.

What is worth it is debatable and it’ll vary by person.  But I think one knows when they see it – a position, place, person.  My faith teaches a parable about a man who sees the most exquisite and rare pearl – and sells everything he possesses to purchase it.  That is the meaning of priceless.

Pretty much no one has ever asked me what I really dreamed of or wanted.  That too is a hidden blessing.  We store our treasures in jars of clay and dragons must be hidden before their time.  Also, never let anyone outside the Family know what you’re thinking.

Cry now, smile later.