Four hundred years ago, two ships began the journey to a new world. 300 miles out to sea, one sprang a dangerous leak, forcing a hasty return.
The already sea-weary passengers were faced with a tough decision. Some gave up and stayed home – but not all.
102 brave souls crammed themselves onto the remaining ship (smaller than the average double-wide trailer), and set out again. 66 storm-ridden days later, Land was a welcome sight.
But hell had only just begun.
They constructed a 21 square foot commonhouse in a desperate attempt to shelter themselves from the winter. One-by-one, diseases and icy cold took their victims. Half of this band of desperate souls died before spring came. 18 couples began the journey, and only 3 marriages remained untouched by death.
The fabled “first Thanksgiving” that took place that year was truly a celebration of survival.
For them, every breath of that frosty New England air was the gift of Freedom.
From that little band of survivors would come a stunning legacy of heroes and leaders.
John Adams: Descendant of John and Priscilla Alden, and William Mullins.
John Quincy Adams: Descendant of John and Priscilla Alden, and William Mullins.
James A. Garfield: Descendant of John and Elinor Billington, and Francis Billington.
Zachary Taylor: Descendant of Isaac Allerton and William and Mary Brewster.
Ulysses S. Grant: Descendant of Richard and Elizabeth (Walker) Warren.
Calvin Coolidge: Descendant of John and Priscilla Alden, and Edward Doty.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Descendant of Isaac Allerton, Francis Cooke, and others.
George Bush (Senior & Junior): Descendant of John and Elizabeth Howland, and others.
And not just political leaders, but leaders in economics, industry, and art…
Norman Rockwell: Descendant of Stephen Hopkins.
Eliphalet Remington: (Founder of Remington Arms) Descendant of Edward Doty.
Julia Child: Descendant of William Bradford and William and Mary Brewster.
Clinton “Clint” Eastwood: Descendant of William Bradford.
Marilyn Monroe: Descendant of Pilgrim John and Prisiclla Alden.
Dick Van Dyke: Descendant of John and Priscilla Alden.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Descendant of John and Priscilla Alden.
Noah Webster: Descendant of William Bradford.
All descendants of just 51 survivors.
What a legacy.
They were a rare breed. They refused to settle for the safety of the “decent” life they had in Europe. Instead, they chose to risk everything for an ideal of liberty. Reaching out in faith, committed to a better future – willing to pursue Freedom no matter the cost.
Our challenges and sacrifices pale in comparison, don’t they?
For those pilgrims and saints, this feast was not about enjoying leisure, over-eating, and impulse shopping. It was about celebrating one step of faith at a time. A testament to raw courage, commitment, and faith.
Today, it’s hard to see past our urgent to-do lists and the “busyness” long enough to even think about that kind of faith and commitment.
So often, the “tyranny of the urgent” demands our attention – it’s all we can do to maintain the status quo. We’re afraid to step out in faith and risk even a little (much less our very lives!).
It seems “safer” to just keep our heads down and keep trudging onward. Unsatisfied, but “comfortable”. Based on my own experience, I truly believe that “playing it safe” is the greatest risk of all.
In the name of safety, we reside in prisons of our own making, with unlocked but untested doors. And we do more harm to ourselves by what we don’t do than by what we do. The punishments unknown, from the advice not sought or purchased, the tree not climbed, the idea not tested by quick action…these are far greater than the punishments from too much study or too much thinking.
For dentists especially, “analysis paralysis” can chain us behind the chair for decades longer than necessary.
I know. I’ve lived it.
Walking through my daughter Jenna’s health crisis (leukemia and liver transplant) truly was a blessing in disguise. It forced me to be honest with myself, and the pain was loud enough to drown out the voices of fear and uncertainty.
I thought I had been doing the right thing. I believed that if I continued down this path long enough that “someday” I would find freedom and could begin living my life.
But my 12 yr old daughter, Jenna, would not wait for someday. She had already survived two and a half brutal years fighting high-risk leukemia, four years of uncontrolled epilepsy, and now faced a crucial life-saving liver transplant. Jenna needed her Dad right NOW, not “someday”.
That’s when I made a commitment to leave my practice behind. My back was against the wall – something had to change. It wasn’t an easy decision…but it wasn’t hard, either. Jenna meant everything to me.
I’m grateful that I had a “Plan B” to fall back on – my years of real estate investing on the side had created a “get out of jail” card when I needed it most. It enabled me to step away from active practice and focus my time where I was most needed. It also taught me a critical lesson…
The status quo is not a viable path to Freedom. It will only keep you chained to the crushing expectations of society or other people’s agenda. There is a better way.
I know the formula. I’ve helped countless other dentists and professional practice owners achieve their freedom.
I do it through a community called Freedom Founders.
It’s very unique – nothing like it anywhere. It’s based on integrity and organic relationships, speed and implementation, accountability and a Board of Advisors.
Freedom Founders is very unique – there’s nothing like it anywhere. It’s based on integrity and organic relationships, speed and implementation, accountability and a Board of Advisors.
Freedom Founders is not for everyone. Not everyone is a good fit (we are very selective), but for those who are a fit and are willing to commit to action, this is the place to make it happen. Let me ask you this…
Will you be any closer to your goals at the end of 2020? Is your current trajectory bringing you closer to Freedom as quickly as possible?
If you’re not confident that the answer is “YES”, this could be your wakeup call – Don’t wait for a life-shattering event like I did. This could be your opportunity to change your trajectory and take action.
Your ship is sailing soon. Do you have the courage to climb on board?
How will you know? Go to www.FreedomFounders.com/step-1 and fill out the online survey application. Once submitted, you’ll be given the opportunity to speak on the phone with Chris Scappatura, my member advisor. He’ll help you determine whether or not there is a good mutual fit – zero obligation.
What do you have to lose?
Just remember, taking no action is also a decision. NOT getting on the boat is a choice, so make sure the decision you make is intentional.
What will your legacy be? Do you value your freedom as much as the brave saints and pilgrims who voyaged across the sea to build this great nation? Will your children’s children celebrate your life as a beacon of hope and liberty?
In the words of William Bradford (ancestor of Clint Eastwood, Noah Webster, Julia Child, and others…)
“As one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled hath shone to many, yea in some sort to our whole nation.”
Make today the day of action. Light your candle.
Click the link, fill out the application and hit submit. Don’t stop there – schedule a call with Chris and find out if you are a good fit for Freedom Founders.
I look forward to reviewing your application.
David
P.S. Our next quarterly Freedom Founders meeting in Dallas is coming up fast. We accept only a limited number of guest applicants to each meeting – half of the guest seats are already taken. One of those could be you – IF YOU TAKE ACTION!
