I believe in perseverance. My journey throughout life has had many highs and lows, which all have further instilled my belief. During challenging moments in my life I often reflect on a conversation I had years ago with my parents. They told me the story of a group of workers who were preparing for a long journey. Each worker had to select an item he would carry for the entire journey, and surprisingly the smallest man chose the heaviest item, which was the bundle of food. Unlike his peers who fought for lighter items, this man was wise enough to foresee the end at the beginning. He knew that his initial hard work would pay off, and each day, meal by meal, his burden would get lighter. I have learned that a challenging option at the present moment, such as dental school, will be beneficial and provide great opportunities in the future. Dedication to a lifetime of education and development is required in dentistry, and this is the type of challenging career I desire. Although the intellectual demands and skillful attention to detail that is routine in dentistry will be difficult at times, if I persevere I will have the opportunity to bless people every day through my profession.
For over twenty years I lived in the West End of Louisville, KY, a predominantly African-American inner city area. Although I love the people from my community, it is unfortunately marked by poverty, drugs, gangs, violence, racism, and inferior schools. Despite the surrounding negativity, I did not let my ambition be impeded by the conditions of my past. Coming from my neighborhood it was easy to get involved in detrimental activities, but I fought hard daily to reject temptation and strive to achieve positive goals. Thankfully, I was blessed with a strong, loving family that stressed the importance of not being complacent. To progress in life, I place great value on exposure to new things and commitment to goals. In spite of the struggles I encountered, I am pressing forward to achieve my dream of becoming a dentist and being a leader in my community. Residents in communities like the West End need positive figures with similar backgrounds to show that with perseverance, we all can become responsible leaders and can raise the standards of the neighborhood.
The man that I am today is a product of the core values and beliefs I have developed throughout my experiences, both positive and negative. From these values and beliefs I guide my life to follow Jesus Christ, love and honor my wife and family, and to consistently challenge myself to improve in all aspects so that I can be a blessing to others. I aspire to earn my place in the dental profession, and continue to be a man of integrity along the journey during and after dental school. I believe that perseverance, along with focus and discipline are the keys to success.