Greetings and Happy New Year. January is traditionally the time when we make resolutions to correct things we've never been able to change before, but expect we're going to change this year. My personal resolution is to finally get on that diet I've been going to start, and stay on, for several years now.
Unlike diets, my resolutions for the new year for AAWD are, I trust, resolutions we'll be able to actually keep and which will make our organization stronger and better for years to come.
Here are my resolutions for AAWD for 2004:
- To teach the dental world that AAWD is not a bunch of 1960s-type feminists, but a warm and nurturing group of women whose goals are to enrich the diverse roles of women in dentistry.
- To make 2004 a memorable year and show our appreciation to those who help enrich our lives. I personally never go to sleep at night without thanking my Maker for at least three things I appreciated that day — from a smile on the face of one of my patients, to the beautiful sunset on a winter's afternoon, to a warm cup of tea after the chill of a cold winter's day. At AAWD we have so many things to be thankful for — the friendships we've made, the support of our sponsors, the support of our management team in Chicago, and the successful transition to a new editor for WDJ, to name only a few. I'd like to recommend that all of our members read a book called Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach. We as an organization could benefit from her wisdom.
- To encourage a grassroots movement across the country where women dentists can come together to network and share. Women have so many diverse roles to play these days that it is sometimes difficult to get them to join yet another group — even if it is the one group that really understands where they are coming from and can help them balance their often hectic lives. My goal this year is to help more women dentists realize all that AAWD has to offer. It's not just continuing education. It's not just networking. It's not just mentoring. And it's not just learning new skills in an atmosphere of unconditional support. It's all of these and more.
If you practice in an area where there is no local chapter of AAWD, call a few of your friends and get one started. It's not hard; a few telephone calls is all it takes. Our management team in Chicago will be happy to assist in any way possible. If you wish to have continuing education at your local meetings, Debbie Gidley can help you get AGD credits. As Nike says, "Just do it."
