This is from Dr. Permanžs free weekly e-mail. He can be reached at: 
Masters9@aol.com

Dear Doctor,

I spent this hectic weekend pingponging between Baltimore and 
Washington, participating in CLA's Passport 2000 Seminar,  and also 
working feverishly in the studio to bring you our next CD album.

One of the guest speakers at Passport was Dr. Nathaniel Branden,  
well-known psychologist and best-selling author of "The Six Pillars 
Of Self Esteem."

I'll be writing more about Dr. Branden's work after we spend a 
weekend with him in Beverly Hills with The Masters Circle in 
February,  but for now,  the concept of self esteem really relates to 
the subject matter of our last few columns.

If your identity is central to your success and fulfillment,  then your 
concept of yourself will shape your identity.  How you see yourself,  
the way you perceive your role in your family and your community,  
and the self-image you generate,  will either limit or liberate you in 
your pursuit of your ideal life and practice.

How do we,  as chiropractors,  develop better self esteem?  Start by 
realizing that,  whatever the size of your practice,  you are making a 
significant contribution to the well-being of your patients.  No 
matter what your level of service,  your self esteem is something 
you can feel from the inside,  based not only on your 
accomplishments,  but on your perceptions.

And where do those perceptions come from?  Some come from past 
reference experiences - parental influence can contribute greatly to 
self esteem,  or a childhood experience,  like making a big play in a 
big spot,  or blowing it in a similar spot.  But nothing is as powerful 
as your currently dominant thought,  so learn to turn your attention 
toward that which you do that adds value.  That will influence the 
boundaries you define for yourself,  and what you believe yourself 
capable of will determine how far you are willing to reach toward 
your goals.  

Why not look at ourselves and our profession in a more positive 
light?  No one has done more over the last hundred years to establish 
a domain of health,  wellness,  and human potential.  The public tide 
continues to swing toward a more natural,  less invasive,  more 
fitness and less crisis care mode,  and no profession is better 
equipped or better positioned to spearhead the movement toward 
personal responsibility and family wellness oriented health care.

This movement starts with you,  taking personal responsibility to 
develop yourself into the best you and the best chiropractor 
possible,  and to do as much good as possible along the way.  By 
showing up as an outstanding version of yourself,  and by acting 
consistently with that excellent self-concept,  you'll improve the 
quality of your practice and your life,  and help a lot of people while 
you're doing it.

Dennis Perman DC,  for The Masters