Let’s go back over a year ago when I first met Marla. A dentist in Temple City, Jack Von Bulow, recommended that I listen to what Marla had to offer. Now when Jack, the self proclaimed Molar Jockey ( he writes a regular column for his local paper) recommends someone then it is usually for a good reason.
Marla has since become one of the guiding lights in my life. Marla was the first real influence in my life to get me more involved in social media. Until Marla, I thought facebook was just to let people know when your birthday was. Heck, if you weren’t close enough to me to know when my birthday was then it was no big deal. But Marla changed by attitude about facebook and I am constantly amazed at how much there is to learn (often it is overwhelming…but what the heck, I am just a dentist)
But for Marla, being involved with facebook was not just about the computer, it was also about adjusting attitudes. She presented me with a very simple article to read called “Gratitude Can Change Your Life”. Among other things the article talked about how gratitude is a great attractor, improves your ability to solve problems and strengthens. At the same time Marla gave me a journal so that every night I could write down 10 things that I am grateful for. Well Coach, I have failed on this one, I haven’t been doing it for a while. But here is where my blog comes full circle.
I am going to do a public 10 things for which I am grateful for
I AM GRATEFUL FOR
1. Having my health. This gives me the opportunity to correct for my past errors (like not working on list for a while)
2. Having the support of my wife. Wow, this is a big one, Janis has been my wife, partner, best friend for over 22 years now. Its corny but that song is true I love you more today than yesterday. (thank you Spiral Staircase)
3. Having two great sons, who are actually very good friends. You have no idea of how gratifying this is for me
4. Having a beautiful, state of the art, dental office with a loving and caring staff to help my patients. And they have to put up with me everyday.
5. Having some of the best patients that anyone could ask for. I learn something from them every day.
6. My exercise bicycle. I know it well, as I have used it at a rate of better than 4 out of 5 days this year.
7. Preventive Dentistry. This is my passion in dentistry since I feel so strongly that no child should ever have a cavity or gum disease in their lifetime, including as an adult.
8. Jack von Bulow for introducing me to Marla, and of course Marla.
9. For my family and friends, whose continued support over the years has been one of the pillars of my life. A special shout out to Oded, my dear cousin, whose continued love and friendship is invaluable.
10. Mom and Dad, who allowed me the opportunity to go to college and dental school. This is turn gave me all the opportunities that I have today.
What do you have to be grateful for?
I have so much to do, and Ms Marla, as much as it is my intention to work on this every day, I can’t promise that I will, only that I will try. More importantly, I need to live my life with gratitude for everything that the world presents to me. This one I need to handle.
Till next time