Book excerpt: The day after my thirty-third birthday, I felt a little melancholy and unsure of myself, so I decided to jot down some notes, to not only gather my thoughts but also to reassure myself of who I am. Before I knew it, the notes became as thick as a book. This book helps me count my blessings, as well as recalling my cherished past. I hope that in this book youll find strength, compassion, happiness, courage, and comfort in knowing that we are all more similar than we are different, linked by our human struggles.