[Vegas69]

I'm going to share my experience from last night as I think it applies to this thread.

Part of my personal growth is through new associations. Kelli & I have become pretty good friends with a top hand surgeon and his better half through a business trasaction 2 years ago.

Fast forward to last night, we went out to meet them as he wanted to introduce me to his new partner. I began to speak with his wife and things became real interesting. She was born in Iraq and her father was a general in the Army during Desert Storm. He was also a dentist so they had a great life by Iraq standards. Her father had the foresight to send his family to Turkey shortly after desert storm as they were Catholic and her father could feel the changes coming down the line. He ended up needing to sneak out of Iraq to be with his family, giving up everything he has worked for his whole life. At that point he had committed treason and would be killed on the spot if caught. They spent about a year in Turkey before moving to Sweden where she went to college and graduated. During that time, I believe her parents moved to Michigan. Apparently, their is a large society of folks from Iraq. The hardships they encountered amazed me and you could see it in her face and hear it in her voice.

To my point, she is a first generation immigrant and has achieved great success in America. Her perception of this country is different than many. She sees the great opportunties that are abound while the average American complains and thinks they have it so bad. It's a fact that new immigrants are highly successful in this country because they are greatful for the opportunity.

I went on to discuss those facts with her and also let her know that it was no different when my family came from Germany in 1695. They started from scratch as farmers with a huge family. Had aspirations, dreams, and the will to create a successful life. The difference, it's been 300 years since they crossed the pond.

The lesson to be learned is that life is what it's perceived to be in your own eyes. I'm a believer that the typical American has become to lazy, ungreatful, and has lost touch with reality. It doesn't have to be that way, it's a choice.