Life of Pi is one of my favorite books. It wasn’t just the story and the message. When I picked it up initially, I almost put it down because it wasn’t holding my interest. But I persisted. Several people I really trusted had recommended it. And my reward for staying with it was great. Yann Martel delivered big.

So I knew when I saw Ang Lee’s name attached to the film it had a really good shot at being magnificent. I wasn’t disappointed. Just beautiful in scope and message.

With all that has gone on this year and also pondering a piece I’d read in The New York Times Magazine about a little girl who literally feels no pain, a column formed. What a joy to write it.

Today’s Game Plan: What You Can Learn from Pain