In preparation for what?

I think I'm being groomed by a force much greater than myself to be ready for a challenge that I know not of. These past few weeks have been both exhilarating and exhausting. I shall elaborate. The day before yesterday I met one of my medical idols: Dr. Andrew Weil. Actually seeing him in real life after reading his books and researching his opinions for over a year was surreal to say the least. I guess if I were to describe him in one word it would be "sturdy". He looked much stronger and healthier in real life than his photos show on his books. But, my goodness, was he inspiring. He spoke on the "Future of Healthcare", in anticipation of his new upcoming book on the foresaid subject. He broke his speech down into three simple sections:
1) what is integrative medicine,
2) how poor our healthcare system is right now
3) how integrative medicine will be the future of healthcare.
Throughout the entire presentation I was so hung up on his words and everything he was saying at that moment and paying so much close attention to the way he spoke, that I really lost touch with reality and temporarily forgot myself. I know this sounds really weird. But how else can I explain how dazed I was in Dr. Weil's presence? I really wanted to talk to him or at least make my presence known to him and maybe even let him know that little ole' me existed so when the time came for Q&A, I thought of my best possible "smartest-sounding" questions, and raised my hand to get the next available microphone. When he pointed to me, I stood up and said "Hi Dr. Weil, I am a first year medical student."
He did nothing and just blinked at me. A slight pause.
"And I am a big fan of yours". I said this with a grin hoping to elicit a grin out of him in return (I sounded like a real dork).
Nothing. Another blink of the eyes. An even longer pause. The entire auditorium was silent. I could feel my face starting to burn. So I stuttered slightly and the proceeded to ask him my question.
"In the ongoing effort to incorporate integrative medicine into all fields of medicine, I feel like one sizable obstacle to this happening are surgical field of medicine that are 100% intervention-based. Do you feel that there is a place for integrative medicine in surgical fields?"
His respond made me turn even more red in the face. He disagreed with me completely and told me that surgery can be a really good thing and that integrative medicine can definitely work with surgery and that the pharmaceutical companies are a way bigger opponent to intergrative medicine. I felt like a total idiot. In the sheer effort of wanting to talk to him, I proceeded to making myself look like a senseless band roadie. But I didn't care, really. Because I had talked to Dr. Weil!!
After his lecture, I came up to him and thanked him for his wonderful talk. I had both of his books in my hand, cradling them to my chest. My mind went blank after I thanked him and he looked at me and then just said, "Of course I'll sign your books for you!" Again, total idiocy on my part.
But I digress, because I started this post talking about how I'm being groomed. Even though I made an absolute fool of myself in front of THE most influential figure in integrative medicine, I am so glad that I had the courage to approach this man and talk to me. I feel like the Priyanka of six months ago would have just sat back and listened in awe and then gone home and regretting not talking to one of my idols. It was great. I really learned that I need to start getting more of a grip when I am in the presence of higher authorities. Because they are just people, like me! I am a work in progress, definitely, but I am trying gosh-darnit!