As we celebrate our Nation’s birthday on the Fourth of July, it always reminds me

of the incredible imagination, dreams and vision our Founding Fathers must have had. They had the incredible foresight to create three branches of government that would act as checks and balances on the others. They initiated the Revolutionary War, and declared our independence. Thereafter, behind locked doors, and in secret, they drafted our Constitution, in which they so carefully protected the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and property.

There are many lessons to be learned from the architects of our democracy that we can apply to our everyday lives, including courage and teamwork. The Founding Fathers have always inspired me to be a better lawyer, and to protect my client’s rights as the Constitution commands. These brave men, along with my parents, my family, friends and clients, have also inspired me to dream.

It was always a dream of mine, with much urging from my dad, to own a building for my practice. My dad always said, “You should always pay yourself rent.” For years, I would drive around looking at all kinds of buildings, imagining my firm’s name on the outside, and the inside being filled with lawyers, clerks, and books. During those same years, however, I always made excuses as to why I could not possibly own my building. I would tell myself things like, “It’s too expensive”, “I don’t want to be a landlord”, “I don’t know anything about construction,” and “I don’t have the time to deal with all of this.” Name the excuse, and I made it.

Eventually, my husband convinced me to hire a real estate firm. Gene and I looked at dozens of buildings, and I kept hearing those same negative voices in my head. When I saw the building at 7502 E. Monterey Way, however, as old, and dilapidated as it was, I knew it was the perfect place for me. Well, it turned out not to be so perfect. After we bought the building, we realized that it needed new plumbing, new wiring, new venting, new everything. We could not afford to do half of the things that needed to be done, and we for sure could not afford to pay a general contractor. I felt that I had made a horrible mistake.

No dream is ever realized without setbacks and failure. Behind every success story is struggle. However, as Paulo Coelho said, “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it.” I believe that to be true. If you have vision and drive, and pour all of your energy in the direction of your desires, you can move mountains. The Founding Fathers put into law the revolutionary idea that each person’s desire to pursue happiness was not just self-indulgence. It was a part of what drives ambition and creativity. By legally protecting these values, the Founding Fathers set up a society that was attractive for those aspiring to a better life.

I thank the heavens for my husband, who built my dream, although with help from others, mostly with his own hands. His vision and talent is astounding. I am forever grateful for my wonderful parents, Sunny and Cappy, who gave us the money to finish what needed to be done (and we did not even ask.) I am forever indebted to my friend, Sioux, who makes everything she touches beautiful. Now, on to the next dream….

We at Adams & Associates, PLC wish you and yours a very happy and safe Fourth of July holiday. We are grateful for your business, and we will continue to serve with excellence, one client at a time.