At the age of 23, I suddenly found myself in an entirely different country and culture from the Korea of my childhood. Living in Vermont, I lived with my family in a trailer park. None of us knew how to speak or read or write a word of English. I didn’t know how to drive, I didn’t dress like other people, I had no money, and I was—and still am—only 4’11!”

From my first days in this new world, I never lost sight of my dream to become a martial arts teacher. But I had to take care of some things first. Our family had only $300, so I needed to find a job. I had just arrived from a foreign country.

What could I do?

One thing I knew how to do was clean, so at first, the only job I could get was cleaning bathrooms at a Howard Johnson hotel, which I was happy to do. I was very proud of my cleaning job.

Today, when people ask me, “When do you feel you had your first success in your life?” I respond, “When I was cleaning the toilets in my first job.” I’m not ashamed of that. In Korea, I had to clean the house and I would get beaten. Here, I was cleaning and getting paid! I felt like a millionaire. It taught me to have gratitude and while I was cleaning, I always thought about my Future Memory. This job was my first step in creating my new life. At the same time, I knew I was not going to be doing that forever. It was just a stepping stone towards my vision and goals in life.

 I pray for our country and for each of you today, that we may push forward to not just keep existing, but to THRIVE.

Remember, my friends, that our freedom is not something that has come easily. Many courageous men and women have given their lives to preserve what we so often take for granted.

Trust only your own Silent Master, and that “still, small voice” to lead you home.

I love you, and I believe in you. Look for the joy in all you do. Join me in living our best American Dream.

Dr Tae Yun Kim