Dentists and Drug Dealers

What is it with businesses that don’t want your business? This morning I lost a temporary crown. My dentist is out of town on vacation. His office referred me to a dentist who is closed on Fridays. So I search for “dentist in Woodbridge, VA” and find one that is less than ten minutes from my house. They have a decent web site, with detailed information about their practice. So I call to see if I can get an appointment. A friendly person answered the phone. They can fit me in, great! But it’ll cost around $100, since they don’t take my insurance, and they have to do a complete examination before they can re-affix the crown to my tooth.

I realize they are a business, and they have to make money to pay the bills. I really do understand. But somehow there has to be a middle ground of some sort where they can use a squirt of dental cement to help someone out. Call it a good-will investment. Write it off as Marketing. Had they seen me today, and not charged me anything (or even just a very nominal amount, like $5 or $10 at most), and had I liked how I was treated by the doctor and other staff, they would have had a potential convert from my dentist (who I love) in Fairfax (45+ minutes away). They go to all that trouble to build a web presence, fill it with info, get someone on the phone. And then chase them away. Sorry, I won’t be back, you had your chance.

Drug dealers know what they’re doing. The first hit is free. After that, you pay.

RIP James F. McGuigan

James F. McGuigan of Eagan, MN, formerly of Orchard Park, NY, unexpectedly November 30, 2011; beloved husband of Nancy (Shoop); loving son of John (Janice) McGuigan and Holmes (Bruce) Webb; loving brother of Michael (Denise); cherished uncle of Matthew and Anna. A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 17 at 11:30 AM at St. Bernadette Parish, 5930 South Abbott Rd., Orchard Park, NY. All are welcome. Flowers are gratefully declined.

Law of the Garbage Truck

A friend of mine sent me this story:

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.

So I asked, ‘Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!’

This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, ‘The Law of the Garbage Truck.’

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they’ll dump it on you. Don’t take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don’t take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life’s too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so … Love the people who treat you right.Pray for the ones who don’t.

Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!

Have a garbage-free day!