Attitude of Gratitude

As you reflect on your life, upon whose shoulders are you standing?

Personally, who are those family members and friends that have influenced you to this point? Professionally, who are the mentors that have helped you become the practitioner that you are?

One of my mentors, Dr. Omer Reed, asks the question, "to whom do you owe what?" I encourage you to contemplate Omer's question and celebrate with an Attitude of Gratitude.

grat·i·tude | ˈɡradəˌt(y)o͞od | noun

the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness

Looking in your rearview mirror, who are the people that have had the most significant influence in your professional journey? Taking the time to identify those individuals should give you substantial memories and the basis for abundant gratitude.

As I reflected on my career, I identified some people who had a significant impact on the direction I have taken in my development.

Though there have been many, I identified four individuals (plus one) who are my Mt. Rushmore.

Dr. Omer Reed

Omer has been a mentor and friend since the late '70s and guided me to discover my purpose. A few words cannot describe his influence and inspiration. He is the only individual on my Mt. Rushmore, who is still living, and I am incredibly grateful for his contribution to my journey.

Dr. Bob Barkley

We lost the genius of Dr. Barkley far too early in a plane crash. He did much to champion preventive dentistry and the discipline of co-discovery. His book "Successful Preventive Dental Practices," is out of print, but a Google search may help you find one online.
Here are some links to more info about Dr. Barkley.

from Dr. Robert Frazer - Click here and Click here

Fortunately, through the ongoing work of Dr. Paul Henny on Dr. Barkley's legacy in the Bob Barkley Study Club - Click here 

Dr. Lynn Carlisle created a treasure trove of Barkley articles and more - Click here

Dr. L.D. Pankey

In his book, "A Philosophy of the Practice of Dentistry," Dr. Pankey lays the foundation for creating a fulfilling and successful people-centered practice. Dr. Pankey mentored many dentists to live a balanced life through his cross of life and practice philosophy.

Dr. Pankey's legacy lives on through the Pankey Institute, and it's excellent faculty led by Dr. Lee Ann Brady. Click here

Dr. Richard Blankenau

Dr. Blankenau was one of my first mentors in dentistry.  As one of my favorite faculty at Creighton, he taught me the "dentistry is the art of doing something over with a smile."  He mentored with so much passion and dedication. He inspired me to not only become the best clinician I could be but also pursue a career of making a difference as an educator.

One more from a list of many

Dr. Jim Purvis

In the Spring of 1970, I was blessed with the brother I never had. From the time I had my interview at Creighton, Jim took me under his wing and made my dental school experience incredible. He was a living persona of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, paving every step of my way. Jim's challenge to me was to pay it forward and do the same for two more students in the next class. That experience was pivotal in my quest to help other clinicians to achieve their best.

So those are the shoulders on which I stand. It is with an Attitude of Gratitude that guides my life to this day.

I encourage you to live with an Attitude of Gratitude and SOAR.