Joe, in his infinite wisdom writes:

A few more spider bite lessons – just in time for Halloween

Lesson #3: Never assume that things will just work themselves out if you leave them alone – especially when it comes to your health.

Lesson #4: Never take your blessings for granted. The doc who took care of me at Flagstaff Medical Center also does medical mission work in underdeveloped countries. She contrasted Hondurans who walk miles to be seen and are thankful for whatever care can be given to them with Americans who throw a fit if they have to wait half an hour to be seen, and then aren’t given a magic pill that will make everything better without them having to put any personal effort into it (e.g. by quitting smoking, getting exercise, or changing their eating habits).

Lesson #5: Never be afraid to admit to your failings and weaknesses, because two good things might happen. First, you might have people reach out a helping hand (as I did yesterday). Second, your example might inspire others to have a new perspective on their realities and responsibilities. Yesterday I was especially touched by the emails I received from people who described their own “spider bites” and what they intended to do about them.

Lesson #6: Never allow venom to toxify your heart – turn it into venomade. Ever since my Lasik misfortune, I have struggled with anger at a clinic where I was given a dishonest sales pitch instead of an honest diagnosis, where they carelessly carved the wrong prescription into my corneas, and then negligently failed to help me cope with the adverse consequences of that surgery. That anger has been poisoning my soul, and was the emotional baggage I wanted to leave behind the last time I hiked Grand Canyon.

I’ve had more than a thousand people request my special report on questions you should ask before submitting your eyes to Lasik surgery. I will never tell someone to not have Lasik – that is a personal decision, and one that many people are happy with. But making it a part of my personal mission to help people be sure they are being their own most effective advocate and that they are asking all the questions that I wish I would have asked has done a lot to help me get over personalizing my own outcome – to turn that venom into venomade.

So Joe, thank you for sharing your words and wisdom.

My dear Leah, Australia is known for their venemous spiders. Beware and at the same time, know that even spiders have gifts to offer us. Bless the people and bless the tiny creatures.

Live, Learn and Let Go and Happy Halloween to all of you who celebrate it.

Love, xo,

Laura