The Evolution of Truth

“All truth passes through three stages:

First, it is ridiculed

Second, it is violently opposed

Third, it is accepted as self evident”

Arthur Schopenhauer

When disruptors enter any market, the status quo digs in and does everything it can to prevent the disruption.  

As a leader, I have a visionary style.  I see opportunities to create a better, preferred future that doesn’t look the same as today.  This is threatening to the status quo. I expect my thoughts will create discord.  This isn’t my first rodeo. 

As a result, I am experiencing the tenants of Schopenhauer's quote:

I’ve been ridiculed.  Threats are being directed towards my character by some that thought they could control me.  False narratives being thrown around by bullies. Threats of lawsuits by people that are mad they can’t get what they want from me.  

Narcissistic behavior by “friends” who say they are “helping” me. Newsflash- you're not my friend and you're not helping.  All you're doing is sensationalizing drama for clicks.  I won't engage with your delusions. 

Here is some friendly advice- Attack the ideas. Not me.  

I am being violently opposed.  I heard some are already calling for my impeachment due to these false narratives (and I haven’t even been sworn in yet)!

I am not cavalier when creating a vision. I don’t just wake up one day inspired with a plan that has zero merit. 

The inspirations come from observations of trends.  It comes from observation of human behaviors, of community behaviors.  It comes from consumerism trends and multiple other sources.  

A leader’s calling is to lead through the lenses of vision, mission and core values.  I am far from perfect.  These concepts always bring back to my purpose when I veer off course. 

Galileo, Aristotle, Lincoln, Darwin, MLK, Jobs, and countless others all saw a vision that wasn’t popular in their time.  They may not have survived.  Their ideas did.  Their ideas became truths that are now widely accepted. 

My ideas may not work out.  But progress doesn't occur without change.  

My experience tells me to stand up for what I believe in.

Fight for what is right.  I will continue to promote positive change. Know when to talk, when to listen.  

Keep an open mind and when contrary evidence presents itself, evaluate it and, if necessary, adjust the trajectory accordingly. But don’t lose sight of the vision. 

There are many who support me. Thank you. Your support means the world to me.  

There are many who may not agree with me, but respect the process. I thank you for exercising your emotional intelligence and not throwing around passive aggressive hostility.  

In time, just maybe, some of these potential truths may become accepted as self-evident. Or maybe they won't (and I'll be ok with that)!

#thinkdifferent #theygolowIgohigh

#theadventurecontinues #anythingispossible #sober #adapresidentelect #adachangemakers #oralhealthishealth #ultrAspire #inspiredbyAthletes 

Bikodds

Where did the moniker bikodds come from?

I am a big Peter Gabriel fan.  I saw him for the first time at Poplar Creek near Chicago in 1986.  He ended the show with the song, "Biko".

The drums started the song.  He gave an explanation about the atrocities of apartheid in South Africa and how Steven Biko died as a prisoner of the regime that was trying to stop his rhetoric.  I didn't know anything about this, but it got me thinking about social justice issues.  He challenged us to keep his memory alive.  To stand up for atrocities in the world.  To rebel against the status quo when the status quo is going down the wrong path.

The song ended with just the drummer and the entire crowd singing the chant long after the other musicians left the stage.  I was forever inspired at this moment.

The song was written in 1980 as the final song on his third solo album.

The movie, "Cry Freedom" came out in 1987 which told the story of Steven Biko and featured the Peter Gabriel song and Denzel Washington as the leading role.  Here is a link to the video of the song.

https://youtu.be/luVpsM3YAgw

My initials are BK and some of my friends would call me biko as a nickname. Then I became a dentist - hence the "dds".   When email became a thing, my email address became bikodds@gmail.com.

I still get chills when I hear this song.

"You can blow out a candle, but you can't blow out a fire,
Once the flames begin to catch, the wind will blow it higher" PG, 1980

Peter Gabriel used his status as a songwriter and performer to stand for a cause that was important to him,  He used his platform to create positive change in the world - to light a match.  I try to follow his lead and do the same.

"PG Plays Live"

Leap and the Net will Appear

"What do I fear? I fear stagnation and lack of progress. I fear never reaching my potential and being average. I fear being forgotten...the past...yesterday's news. I fear giving up and being passed by, going softly into that good night. I fear settling, giving into the "that's just the way it is" mindset. I fear dying without leaving my mark. And most of all, I fear NOT feeling these fears anymore..." Author unknown

How did I get to be so old?

When I turned 50 in 2018, I began to consciously reinvent my life. "Act 1" is over, it was time to explore new things for "Act 2."

That year, I sold my dental practice and became an employee. I still loved dentistry, but I didn't love the day-to-day management anymore. I sold it to a small group. We never made a big announcement to our patients about it. The practice philosophy never changed. I enjoyed it more as I only had to concentrate on my dentistry and the relationships with my patients. The bandwidth in my brain was now greater and I found myself constantly daydreaming about what I could do with the second half of my career.

I had been a dentist for 23 years at the time. I had made my mark on the profession of dentistry. I constantly pushed myself to practice at the highest level possible. I was well respected by my peers. I received many accolades and honors over the years for my dedication to both the profession and the community. I gave presentations to my colleagues near and far on well-being and leadership concepts. I taught at University of Michigan and University of Colorado Dental Schools. I was on the board of my local and state dental societies. Most importantly, I cherished the relationships I had with my patients and my team.

With my new-found free time, I pursued some athletic goals I had. I ran a 50 mile trail race in Page, AZ. This was the farthest I had ever run. I entered the race to prove to myself that age is just a number. It was a great day, plus I got to experience running through the desert and be in the beauty of the slot canyons and other spectacular rock formations that area is known for.

Antelope Canyon, Page, AZ

Horseshoe Bend, Page, AZ

That October, I was offered an entry into the Ironman World Championships through a charity slot with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I raced in honor of my mom who died of leukemia the previous year. I raised almost $70,000 and completed an event that I never thought possible for me.

Finish line- Ironman World Championship, Kona, HI

Soon after the Ironman, I was elected to serve on the American Dental Association's Board of Trustees representing 7 states in the southwest (including Hawaii). I am honored to now have the opportunity to serve my profession at the highest level.

Just after being elected by my colleagues to be the 14th District Trustee to the American Dental Association representing CO, WY, UT, NV, NM, HI and AZ.

And most importantly, On October 21, 2018, I reached 20 years of sobriety. My recovery is the key that has opened up the windows to every opportunity in my life.

My 20 year sobriety token

The reinvention had begun. Four items checked off my bucket list. However, something was missing.

This may sound crazy, stupid, and borderline insane, but I plan to make a bigger impact in the second half my career. To do this, I will be leaving the practice I created 17 years ago.

I am someone who is not satisfied with the status quo. My career has seen me on a unique trajectory. I have experience and talents in a variety of platforms both within and outside of dentistry.

It is time for me to explore some of these further. Today, I still feel young. I still want to be on the uphill slope of my growth. I know that I have more to accomplish and the energy to make it happen.

This calling isn't impulsive. Though I had dreams of doing something different for many years, I can identify that a seed began to take root within me in 2015 when I was President of the Colorado Dental Association. During those years on the board, I was a key contributor to several legislative initiatives in Colorado and the US. I learned that our legislators relied on professional experts (such as me) to create sensible laws. I even considered running for the Colorado State Assembly in 2015.

I spent many hours staring at my vision board that I keep on my desk.  So many phrases constantly jumped out at me. The universe was telling me to follow my heart; go after your dreams. 

Vision Board on my desk

"There's no stop in you. Doing a world of good. Change your thoughts and you'll change the world. Unstoppable. Go big or go home. Life isn't about waiting out the storm, It's about learning to dance in the rain. Up for anything. The Power of prayer
I will change the world."

It has become evident to me that I need to go all in. 

Many years ago, I was challenged by a mentor of mine to grow a certain aspect of my practice.  He pointed out that I was just dipping my toes in the pool, If I wanted to truly grow, I needed to fully jump in.  I followed his advice.  He had done it, I could too.  Of course I grew, but only because I went all in. I have done this many times since. I have never regretted going all in.   

It is time to go all in again. I am going back to school!  I have enrolled in a Master's program in health care policy and regulatory leadership at the University of Denver.  I don't know how this will go or what I will do with this degree. I have faith that everything will work out in the end as long as I continue to moving forward.

I still plan to practice dentistry here in Colorado. I cherish the relationships I have buillt with my patients. I loved the challenge of partnering with you to help you achieve ideal oral and overall health. However, my future will not be with TCDO. Thanks to all my patients for the honor of serving you over the years. I hope our paths cross in the future. I wish the office of TCDO and especially my team the best and will always hold them in the highest regard. 

Also, I still plan to represent the 14th District as our Trustee to the American Dental Association.  I consider being entrusted to serve in this capacity as the highest honor in dentistry. I will continue to execute my duties with courage, passion and creativity to help push the organization forward in a big way.  I am ultra passionate about helping to create dentistry's future.  Now with the pandemic, I am even more excited to help set policies and guidelines to ensure a safe and fulfilling work environment. 

I heard this phrase on a podcast recently, "Take the leap and the net will appear." 

Leaping into the unknown...I will continue to soar until the net appears!

Road to the unknown, Mt. Crested Butte, CO

The fear inspires me into action.
Thank you to everyone who supports me in Act 2!

#theadventurecontinues
#anythingispossible
#sober
#faith

Please leave a comment to wish me well or tell me I'm nuts!

Tapping into Synchronicity

Every morning, I prepare for the day to be my best self- to be ready for all situations both envisioned and unplanned. I spend time in meditation and contemplation. Then I journal my thoughts and intuitions.

Today's meditation from the "Calm" app inspired me to share.

"We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us. " Joseph Campbell

Appropos for the first day of 2024.

Of course, I have goals I wish to accomplish. I am also seriously open to the realm of the unknown where unlimited possibilities lie - far beyond what my brain can imagine.

I try to be creative in my actions, while remaining grounded in reality. It is a balance, a dance. I often run these inspirations by mentors, friends, sane voices, etc. Collectively, my intuition processes all these perspectives and it guides me.

I consciously stay open to possibilities. I look for signs that the universe has something more in store for me. I try to be calculated, yet loose with my attachments.

Through my experience, I trust in synchronicity. However, it is only when I am in action do the signs appear. I have to walk the path (both physically and metaphysically) in order to catch glimpses of the messages.

I have been injured and not getting on the trails as often as I wish. I haven't run since October. This morning, I gave my surgically repaired knee a test. It was great to be on the trail watching the sunrise illuminate the valley as I trudged along. And the knee felt great as I hiked, climbed and descended the trail.

Good start to the year. Happy New Year, my friends!

#theadventurecontinues #anythingispossible #sober #americandentalassociation #adapresidentelect #ultraspire #inspiredbyathletes #wellnessjourney

The Dilemma of the Poet, Artist and Leader

Why is it that so many poets, artists and leaders have a melancholic temperment?

They are longing for a more perfect world. They are cognizent to the gap between the world as it is and the world as they wish it could be. They feel a calling to close this gap, and they are inspired to take action.

There is conflict - both internal and external - and this is the genesis of their melencholy.

Many become paralyzed by fear. Fear of failure, the enormity of the task ahead , and/or apathy leads to the surrender of our motivation. Over time, this melencholy becomes normalized, and they end up in a rut. We develop coping mechanisms that justify their place, and they decorate this rut. They eventually hit a bottom or a wall and become aware that there is trouble.

Many become inspired to change. They stand at the crossroads. They see the path they are on, and they see the path towards a better future. They courageously take the first step on their new path. They keep moving forward - small step after small step, and they begin to build momentum.

They start to feel the shift in temperment, they start to see the changes. They start to move with more purpose. Angels appear on their path to help. Like-minded people join them on the path and build even more momentum. The fly-wheel starts to spin.

As the gap gets smaller and smaller, the world is changed for the better. And so is the poet, the artist, and the leader.

I intentionally expressed this narrative in the third person (they, them, their). I also have lived this story many times in my life. Life has its peaks and valleys. The key for me has been action. I keep seeking inspiration through self reflection, and I find ways to move forward.

(Inspired by @SethGodin and @RichRolll)
American Dental Association

#theadventurecontinues #anythingispossible #sober #ADAPresidentElect #ADAChangemaker #ultrAspire #inspiredbyAthletes