In 2000 I had a heart attack, and my eyes were really opened. Learning to appreciate the present moment had its dark side, however, that required me to learn other, more difficult lessons. It seemed that as I valued each day more and more, I became less and less tolerant of things that destroyed opportunities or frittered them away. Before my surgery, I did not see some the cruelty that I provoked on people. My Biblical understanding was so militant I missed the good and bad in people. Neither did I understand how hurtful and destructive others could be. Observing my behavior and that of others brought me moments of agony and sheer disbelief. I have had to learn to forgive others and to ask them to forgive me. Before surgery I was too proud and thought I was too smart.