How a Pizza Changed My Life

That's right.

A Pizza.

Changed my life.

A mushroom pizza, to be specific.

With onions.

No kidding.

The date was February 24, 2007.

A Saturday.

Let me explain the beautiful thing that happened to me that night.

It started with an order of pizza.

I order it about once a month.

Why?

Because, the rest of the month it's all beans for me.

And salads.

And coconuts.

And fruits.

And nuts.

And grains.

And fresh veggies.

And free-range eggs.

And yogurt.

And all organic, mind you.

Having been around a lot of illness in my life, I treat my body preciously.

However, I throw pizza in every once in awhile to pay homage to the 100 billion cerebral neurons God gave you and me.

You know -

To celebrate the infinite possibilities The Creator wishes us to never forget is our joyful birthright . . . 

     (Pizza being one of the sacred pleasures of that birthright.

      Not to mention the occasional Stone Cold Chocolate Peanut Butter Sundae, or a good bowl of Southern Grits with eggs, butter and bacon.)

But how did this one order of mushroom and onion pizza change my life?

Here's how:

The exact recreation of events:

     7:10 pm I call Papa John's. I place the order.

     7:55 I buzz the delivery man into the condo building's front door.

     7:56 I wait, salivary glands distended, as the man unseen ascends the elevator.

     7:57 The knock on the door. My heart skips a beat. I open the door. I take two stove-hot boxes from the bright-eyed Papa John's courier.

     I give him a decent tip. ($2, if you must know.)

     He thanks me and leaves.

     7:59 I get out a plate. Clink a few ice cubes in a glass.

     Open up a root beer (my 30-gram sugar vice. . . without which, pizza ain't pizza).

     I sit myself down in front of this high alter of Sicilian succulence.

     I place my hands on the first box.

     Close my eyes.

     Inhale deeply of the mist of tomato and cheese heaven.

     Thank The Creator for this pleasure.

     Stay still, just enjoying the moment.

     Then . . .

     I slowly begin to open the box.

     Steam issues forth.

     My eyes remain closed.

     And now -

     The first bite.

     The luscious gob of cheese and tomato sauce is gulped, too hot to retain, the roof of my mouth singed but barely noticed amidst the ecstasy.

     I feel myself swoon.

     8:01 Now a second bite.

     Again, it quickly passes from between my lips down my gullet.

     But wait . . .

     . . . A sudden realization strikes.

     Something's not right.

     Something's missing.

     My heart begins to race.

     I try a third bite.

     I'm right!

     It's not there either!

     I feel myself return back to my body.

     My eyes open.

     I look down at the pizza.

     Take up fork and scrounge around under the cheese.

     My heart drops.

     There's no mushrooms in the pizza!

     Nor onions!!!

     Cripes!

     Didn't I specifically tell the order-taker on the phone, "Double mushrooms, and onions. Under the cheese please"? (Nothing worse than dried out mushrooms and onions.)

So . . . .

Now my question to you, my friend -

What do you think happened next?

What do you think I did?

What would YOU do?

Eat the plain pizza (after paying for pizza with mushrooms and onions)? -

Or call Papa John's to raise holy Roman h*ll?

The choices are as simple as that:

          A. I Called B. I Didn't Call

The first person to guess in the comments box at the bottom of this page what I did wins a unique prize:

Here it is:

You win a free large mushroom and onion pizza.

That's right.

I will order a large pizza for you.

From your favorite pizza parlor, wherever you live.

Have it delivered right to your home.

Tip included ($2. Decent, right?)

All you have to do is guess:

     A. I Called about the missing mushrooms and onions

     B. I Didn't Call

Then, after you provide the answer, you have to share WHY I chose either A or B . . . and . . .

Why it was life-changing for me.

And not only will you win the free large mushroom and onion pizza if you're the first to guess it right, I'll also throw in a liter of root beer.

That offer not sweet enough?

Well, I'm going to make it sweeter.

Much sweeter.

Guess it right first on the blog, and in the next few days I'll share with everyone what special bonus you win in addition to the home delivery of pizza.

Hurry and share your answer in the comments box below.       

Hasta la pizza! Michael

        ***    Again, all you've got to guess right is either:

               A. I called about the missing mushrooms and onions B. I didn't call

               And you also have to guess correctly WHY I chose A or B.

               There's no trick to this. The answer should be fairly obvious to those who have read the Wealthy Soul Newsletter for a few months. So obvious in fact, I'm extending the offer to the first TWO people to get it right.

               That's right, both people (you, potentially, and another Wealthy Soul) will win the f'ree home delivery of a mushroom and onion pizza and a liter of root beer. Hurry now, and provide your answer to get the pizza - and an even greater bonus I'll later be announcing later. It starts with your answer now in the comments box below:

Comments

[Bridget]

You did not call. As you sat there pondering what to do, it hit you. OH MY GOSH!! Plain cheese pizza is so FABU!! Why didn't I try this sooner.
Besides, if the truth be known, you probably had onions and mushrooms in the fridge. If it was that big of a deal, you could of sauted up some yourself and thrown them on the pizza.

B. Didn't Call

If this truly was all about Giving Thanks and enjoying the moment, then the real growth can come from accepting the disappointment that what was ordered was not delivered, setting it aside, and then moving on with what you get.
God always answers our prayers (pizza), sometimes not quite the way we want (onions and mushrooms) but what is truly best for us at the moment (no mushrooms, no onions)

[elain]

You called. You had the right pizza sent out to you because that was the pizza that you wanted.

I am going to select A...that you called Papa Johns and complianed that the Pizza was not what you paid for...and that you look forward to this magcificent delicacy only one time out of the month,,,even if Papa Johns did nothing to rectify this, it was standing on principle, an to apease your dissapointment___so again A is my choice..Have a Brilliant day Michael.

I am going to select A...that you called Papa Johns and complianed that the Pizza was not what you paid for...and that you look forward to this magcificent delicacy only one time out of the month,,,even if Papa Johns did nothing to rectify this, it was standing on principle, an to apease your dissapointment___so again A is my choice..Have a Brilliant day Michael.

[Pamela]

You didn't call.

[Sandy]

You didn't call, being the nice person that you are. You ate the pizza naked and bare as it was, and still you were thankful for the moment and just having pizza. We all face little disappointments in our daily lives but being able to roll with them is the secret of the Wealthy Soul and you're definitely one of those. {{{hugs}}}to you!

[Judy K, Great Falls Mt]

You didn't call
because it was a new lesson for you and you learned from it. Weather you liked the pizza or not.

[Diane]

I don't think you called because you realized that we all make mistakes and you found that what they sent was just as good as what you have normally... and you found that coming out of your comfort zone was a good thing and something you need to do more of. Which BTW.. we all need to get out of that comfort zone and try new things.

[Dorothy Baughman]

You didn't call.

[Diane]

You didn't call.. because you realized that we all make mistakes, and you enjoyed what was sent to you just as much as your normal .. comfort zone pizza. You also realized that coming out of your comfort zone can be a good thing.

[You called.]

You called and learned that asking provides rewards in one's life. You need to ask for what you want out of life.

[You didn't call.]

You didn't call because the Pizza delivered was delicious and forever changed how you will order pizza in the future.

[Lynn]

:) You called. You told them that there had been an error in the order. You told them what you had ordered and what you ended up with, but that you did not want to waste the pizza that was delivered so you would eat it. They thanked you for your gesture of kindness. You ate and enjoyed the pizza you had received. You realized that you can take any situation in life and make it into something positive. Next month, Papa John's is bringing you an extra large with all the toppings that you ordered, made extra special, and delivered to you piping hot and free of charge!! It's when we give that we receive back in multitude!! :) Have a happy day!!

[Helen]

Yes you did call.....it's your 'one special'time to savour and indulge! It's not the 'be all and end all' of time, but sometimes a little treat is needed to apease/reinforce and yes, let us indulge! It gives one more fortitude to carry on in our endeavours!
I know I would have called for the reason that I didn't get what I had ordered and that's what I was looking forward too. I don't want to 'win' a pizza......I don't eat them, but I do think one should stand up for themself.

[bernice melnyk]

you call papa johns to tell them of thier error

[Garry]

I believe you called. Because you believe in giving people a second chance in life. You know that they will appreciate the opportunity to make it right.

[Patricia]

You called.
Asked for the manager and said, "Hey, my monthly pizza arrived without mushrooms and onions UNDER the cheese".

You could see the manager frowning at his cook. His tone indicated he was displeased with the new cook he had hired. Still, it was already done. All the manager could do was offer you a free pizza and a liter of root beer.

But you wanted more. This is the pizza you look forward to each and every month.

Then, the law of attraction kicked in. One of your readers likes her pizza with mushrooms and onions just the same way you do, under the cheese. She even drinks sugared soda (Coke, not Root Beer).

It was meant to be like this, with you, the pizza, and the strange redheaded gurl in California. She too eats only organic food, but every now and then, craves junk food.

See, the pizza, just like the circumstances surrounding the mistaken order, were perfect. Even in the state of imperfection, there is always perfection.

[Patricia]

You called.
Asked for the manager and said, "Hey, my monthly pizza arrived without mushrooms and onions UNDER the cheese".

You could see the manager frowning at his cook. His tone indicated he was displeased with the new cook he had hired. Still, it was already done. All the manager could do was offer you a free pizza and a liter of root beer.

But you wanted more. This is the pizza you look forward to each and every month.

Then, the law of attraction kicked in. One of your readers likes her pizza with mushrooms and onions just the same way you do, under the cheese. She even drinks sugared soda (Coke, not Root Beer).

It was meant to be like this, with you, the pizza, and the strange redheaded gurl in California. She too eats only organic food, but every now and then, craves junk food.

See, the pizza, just like the circumstances surrounding the mistaken order, were perfect. Even in the state of imperfection, there is always perfection.

[Lynne Van House]

You simply savored what you had gotten--how many people in the world would almost literally kill for what you had in your hands?
You would TELL Papa John's the next time you ordered, NOT to complain, but simply to notify, and would accept with grace anything they chose to do about it,(including if they did nothing).

[Patricia]

My post.
It posted twice.
Once under the name of Garry.

I am not Garry.
My other post, under the name of THE did not post at all.

Am I going to phone Michael and demand correction to this error?

No, I am not.
Why?
Would you?

In the grander scheme of things, things like pizza, or postings, are trivial. My time is better spent enjoying my Saturday morning and the fantastic day that awaits me. Acceptance.........

[Glen]

You called because by not letting them know, yours will not be the only mistake the business sends out to customers. Employees need to know that they hold more than a job, they are representatives of the business they work for. If you were the owner, would you not want to be notified of the shortcomings of your service? Sure you would. Of course, there is no reason to be rude or harsh in letting them know. But not only should you getwhat you paid for, they should be made aware of the areas they need improvement, afterall, they are not in the pizza business, they are in the people business. Satisfying the customer is what keeps them in business. And we can't forget that a negative word goes a long ways to hurting businesses.

[debbie]

i don't think you called

[Jack]

You didn't call. You thought that you shouldn't be eating this stuff anyway. You felt that life was just teaching you a lesson. Remember you said that Pizza was unusual and a guilty pleasure. You thought that in the scheme of things that you shouldn't be eating this and fate had given you the right result. Now order me a Guido's pizza in Anchorage Alaska lighly done with mushrooms and black olives and let's be done with this.haha

[B Seery]

yes you called

[Kim]

You didn't call. You released the negative thoughts and enjoyed the moment because you know negative thoughts will bring more negativity into your life.

[Paul Klyne]

Michael,

I would think that you called, but didn't raise holy h@#%. You simply explained the situation to the person that happened to pick up the phone and they kindly made it right for you. The new call was made @ 8:10 and by 8:50 you were enjoying your pizza after having given thanks with extra gratitude!

[Sue]

I think you didn't call because you feel everything happens for a reason. Maybe you shouldn't like pizza so much.

P.S. I used to work in a pizza place $2 while not being a crappy tip still isn't that great with what gas cost. Drivers are on mimumum wage.

[Jim Halter]

You did not call. You realize that everything happens for a purpose and serves us. After a moment's reflection, you realized that you have been stuck in a comfort zone, ordering the same pizza over and over. How we do one thing is how we do everything. You realized that you were staying in your comfort zone in other areas of your life, without considering whether that was serving you best. This realization, and the decision to examine other areas to see if you are letting past habits keep you stuck, is what changed your life.

[Bev Snider]

Yes you called. Not to raise heck but to thank them for the fabulous pizza and the great sevice.We all make mistakes and may we be as merciful and kind as we wish others to be with us.

[Laura]

You did not call - you are aware that nothing happens by accident in this universe and that is the pizza you had attracted to you, perhaps by your belief that it's something you "shouldn't have" So you set your intent to be grateful for what showed up, and you would let Papa John's know the next time you ordered that there were items missing from the previous pizza they sent so that they could set the intent to be more aware of the products they were sending out to their customers.

Great blog by the way!

Laura

[Michelle]

You called. After getting over the initial shock that the two main requested ingredients were missing, you expressed your disappoinment as this is a once a month treat you anxiously await to savor. The fresh and carefully prepared ingredients are a delicacy you splurge on healthwise, so naturally, not receiving what you ordered and paid for prompted you to call and bring this error to their attention, if for nothing more than to assist in more attention to detail of orders and customer satisfaction. Resulting in accuracy of future orders that you and others place. You, being on the receiving end of this error allowed you to experience a slight set-back in a much anticipated endeavor, although it didn't turn out as expected, it is palatable and will come again. Thanking them for their concerted effort to correct this, you then realized that unexpected changes bring a new perspective for growth in all areas.

[Carlota]

You didn't call. You sat back and thought, well for some reason I didn't get my onions and mushrooms.
Next time I will...then you sat down and started to enjoy again the great smell of a pizza!

[Barbara]

You didn't call because you DID very much enjoy the pizza with mushrooms and onions. It's not just about the eating part, it's everything else too. You were blissful in every moment and you can continue that bliss; onions and mushrooms or not.

Blessings...

[Andy McLoughlin]

I'll choose
B. I didn't call
You didn't call because you realized that if you only needed pizza once a month and this month you doidn't get what you wanted then found that you really didn't need it in the first place. This was a sign that you could be taking care of yourself better and Papa Johns' mistake just helped make it a little clearer.

[Chuck]

You called

[John]

You called..We learn by our mistakes. Whether you received a response or not, if the mgr passed the info on it helped a future patron be satisfied... Help others. I learned by all the mistakes I have ever made.

[Myrna Zoetrum]

"B"
you had to eat it without the unions and....

[Wendy]

You didn't call because you remembered that there is a reason for everything. You thought about this for a moment, and asked God what you should do in this situation. You take another bite of the plain pizza as you're waiting for an answer. Not bad...Why waste a good pizza? All it needs is a little bit of fresh vegetables. You open up your fridge and see that you do have onions and mushrooms, so you quickly chop them up and spread them on your pizza. Wow! Amazing! You thank God for answering your prayers...and for helping you to create the best pizza you ever tasted--cheeze pizza with your favorite FRESH vegetables ON TOP!

[lucia]

You didn't call because a simple mistake allowed you to learn about yourself(that you were willing to forgive eventhough disappointed) and about how good "margherita pizza" (that's the way we call "simple" pizza here)can be..And now you can probably have pizza more often because you had a simpler pizza that CAN be included in your diet more often...
PS
would you have really sent me a pizza all the way in Italy???LOL...
A hug,
lucy

[Myrna Zoetrum]

I'll choose
B. I didn't call
I choose "B" You didn't call because you v really didn't need it in the first place. This was a sign that you could be taking care of yourself better and Papa Johns' mistake just helped make it a little clearer. blessings

[Richard Probst]

My guess - you DID call, but you told them the pizza was delicious and thanked them. Now they will remember you ... or not, but no harm in trying.

[Tim]

You called, told them they missed the mushrooms and onions but told them all is good, the pizza is great just the way it is, thanked him or her and wished them a good night.

[leslie]

hello,
I choose A; you did call

you remember that the universe gives us what we ask for, and if it was unclear, you ask again. This is a monthly occurance, and if there was a goof, you ask again.

Kindly
with respect
and gratitude

upon the arriveal of your real pizza, you thanked the driver, Blessed your NEW pizza, and ate what you asked for.
~ leslie

[Liora Stein]

Well Michael, I have unfair advantage. I know you a long time, I have worked for and with you before and I know that you would typically call, and insist it be fixed and fixed the way you like it.

I think you didn't call. I think you accepted the delivery as it was and that you decided that the pizza was as it was meant to be.

Then you sat down and said "Om" for a long time.

Remind me to tell you about being really really hungry in Coober Peady Australia. We could have a huge large cheese pizza, or a teeny tiny deluxe pizza...

[Jim Fisher]

You did not call even though you wanted to. The reason is that you praised God for sending you the pizza and you realized that he did--just without mushrooms and onions. You realized that you have grown over time spiritually and that all blessings are from God, that he is in control even in the kind of pizza we get. It changed your life because you realize that God, the Creator, if he cares enough about us to order the pizza for us then the real important things in life are certainly at the top of his list. That gave you peace about those "big things" and changed how you look at things forever.

[Carol]

I don't think you called. Even though it wasn't your specialty pizza, it was still special. Sometimes in life we don't need all the extras, only the ability to savor the moment. There's always next time for the extras.

[Bonnie]

You did not call, you stayed with your pleasure, kept your joy and appreciation for what you had before you. You said so what, life can be enjoyed with or with out onions and mushrooms

[stacy]

you didn,t call you realized the bliss was generated in your mind, and you can generate that any time you choose the pizza is just a samakara of something that you have programed in you head of happiness, which can be replaced by anything you want to replace it with, and believe me if you stick to your organic food especially satvic organic food not only your mind will be filled with bliss but your body will be too which in fact will make it easier for your mind to follow. I would suggest though calling the pizza shop and not throwing a fit but telling them about the mistake and letting them know this time it is okay, now you not only have bliss, and a healthy body but good karma as well.

[Arden]

You called because you had a right to get what you expected and paid for.