Surgery Date - April 14, 2010...the beginning of my new life!

The date is confirmed - April 14, 2010.  This is NL-DAY...no, not National League Day...but New Life Day.  This is the day that begins my new life. 

Imagine spending your whole life with a dream of doing something but knowing that you will never be able to do it because some obstacle stands in your way.  You do everything in your power to overcome this obstacle, but you go backwards instead of forwards.  Next, consider how you may feel if you have to decide to abandon that dream and follow another path...one that you are good at but doesn't bring you any satisfaction. 

That's me.  My entire life, I have wanted to be in law enforcement.  From a little kid, I wanted to provide a service to the community, uphold the law and provide protection for those who cannot protect themselves.  However, when my weight would never go down despite eating right and playing sports, it became more and more difficult to achieve my dream.  So instead, I went to college to get a degree in business...went to grad school to get a degree in business...worked in a business field.  I wasn't happy, but I tried to convince myself that this is what I was supposed to do. 

When I was laid off back in March 2009, I was able to take stock of my life.  When I saw my doctor for routine check-ups, he noted that my blood pressure was right on target for the first time since I became his patient...the stress my job created in my life was actually affecting my health.  I realized at that point that I needed to make some changes.  Weight loss surgery wasn't well known when I started college.  I didn't really understand the whole process until I met my wife.  When I was laid off, it provided me with an opportunity to gain my life back...to be able to make a change and actually be able to pursue my dreams once again.  The feeling of optimism for the future is overwhelming.  I giggle every day when I think that I am one day closer to a better life. 

Do you have a dream?  More importantly, do you have a dream you feel you'll never achieve?  What is the one thing that would have to change for you to be able to pursue your dream again?  It can be anything...

Now...if someone told you that you could have the tool to make that change...wouldn't you grab it with both hands?  It's been 16 years for me...but I am 34 days from reaching NL-DAY.  It can't come soon enough.