I’m sitting here in my home office trying to write about Independence Day and how it relates to this blog and nothing is coming to mind. So, I'll go nostalgic with you. When I was a teenager, the 4th of July was getting up at o dark thirty to stake your claim on the best piece of real estate at the country club - and by country club I mean a glorified pond surrounded by sand. At the end of a long day full of sunshine, swimming and friends, everyone anxiously waited for the fireworks to start. The Fourth of July was a party! Back then, I could care less about freedom because I was living under the rule of my (strict) parents. I couldn’t wait to be free.
America is the freest country in the world, thanks to our founding fathers. The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4th, 1776. Pennsylvania was the only state to actually have a party and it grew and grew until 1812 when the U.S faced Great Britain again and patriotic sentiments were at an all-time high. It didn’t become a Federal Holiday until 1870. As far as founding fathers go, Ben Franklin is my favorite. Did you know he was left handed? He also said, “there are two things certain in life: death and taxes.”
Everything else in life is up to you. It boils down to making good choices. My parents emphasized that the decisions I make will affect my future and like everything else, they were right.
In recent months, I have seen some dentists regret their decision to go to dental school. Why? The COVID 19 pandemic has left many dentists wondering what the future holds for the industry. I don’t blame you. It’s a scary time. You might ask yourself if you should change professions altogether. Well, that is another decision you have to make. My advice is to stick it out, don’t look back and make it work. You have more resources available to you to overcome any hardship, so be resourceful.
Imagine how would you feel if you had no say in the decisions concerning your life? Would you feel helpless? Powerless?
I live in the greatest country in the world - one that offers more freedom and opportunity than any other nation. It’s called The American Dream. The American Dream means that anyone can rise above adverse circumstances through dedication and hard work. Coney Island might be a ghost town this Fourth of July, but Joey Chestnut is still chasing the American Dream and reigns as the Hotdog Eating Contest Champion. His net worth is $1.5 million dollars.
