Memorial Day is tomorrow, and it always makes me think of the sacrifices that our veterans make for our country.
All veterans make sacrifices while on active and reserve duty. Those sacrifices range from less time spent with family to paying the final price. It’s fitting that we have a day to remember those who serve, who have served, and who lost their lives.
That got me to thinking about the sacrifices the rest of us make in our daily lives. Parents sacrifice for the sake of their children. Adults sacrifice time, energy, and money to help their communities become better places to live. And business owners often sacrifice everything to their vision of success.
In no way do I intend to suggest that our daily sacrifices equal those of veterans who have died in service to our country. By the same token, the depth of their sacrifice doesn’t diminish ours.
I’m a small business owner, and I know just how obsessive I can get about making my company successful. Fortunately, I have several people to give me much-needed reality checks, i.e., swift kicks in the pants.
I know a lot of dentists, and I’ve seen the same thing happen to them. Those dentists who become obsessed with building successful practices often sacrifice everything else that really makes life worth living.
Look, I’m hugely success-oriented. I think success is good. But I’m not going to say whether sacrificing everything else for the sake of success is good or bad. And I’m not going to try tell you what your definition of success should or shouldn’t be.
But tomorrow, as we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, I know I’m also going to be spending some time thinking about the sacrifices we make.
Have a happy, and thoughtful, Memorial Day.