Enjoy the Joy

As I see summer nearing its close, and fall waiting just around the corner, I’m thinking of the past few months and how quickly they have flown by! I’m sure most of you may have similar feelings about time flying by and how busy our lives have been. In addition to the regular schedules of running a dental practice, many other activities and events need to be filtered in and given their just attention. Graduations, weddings, funerals, games, family vacations, and more demand a lot of our time and attention, especially if we want to stay in everyone’s good graces. And it’s not just the summertime that brings the busy schedules. People seem to have the tendency to constantly pack their lives as full as they can with numerous activities and responsibilities. Much of the busyness of life comes from a responsibility to others, much comes from choice. Some of it may even come from perceived expectations, from trying to “keep up with the Jones’”, or from “fear of missing out”. No matter the reason, or reasons, for our busy lives, it is essential that we do our best to find a good life balance in order to fully enjoy the life we have chosen.

Some have suggested four areas of needs in life in which various goals can be made to aid in achieving a good balance in life. Please consider with me these areas, or needs, and ways that one might relate their profession or other life activities to each one.

Intellectual Needs - dental professionals are constant learners, participating in all kinds of ongoing continuing education, essential to keep up with the demands of an ever changing and progressing profession. But consider making time to pursue other non-dental related education or interests. Set a goal to become more wellrounded in an intellectual sense.

Physical Needs - it’s important to keep healthy and fit to avoid the fatigues and ailments that can come from repetitive daily work. I think everyone recognizes the clarity of mind and spirit, and the renewed energy that comes from regular physical exercise. Plus, it’s one of the best remedies to fight against depression and mental stresses. Set a goal to keep physically healthy.

Spiritual Needs - regular time taken each day to ponder, meditate, pray, reflect on blessings, and express gratitude does wonders to help keep life in proper perspective. When we can recognize a higher power than ourselves, and allow its influence in our lives, we can become more teachable and more at peace with the world around us. Set a goal to make a specific time for reflection.

Social Needs - the dental association provides many opportunities to socialize with one another and share needs, findings, frustrations, and fun. I don’t necessarily consider myself as one who loves social gatherings and such, but as I have met with other colleagues from around our state, and other states, I have always enjoyed a common kindness and camaraderie. I have come to learn that people need people. It’s ok to do things alone at times, but there is a strength and a good motivating power that comes from being united with others in a common quest for goodness. Set a goal to reach out and associate with others.

If we can make and keep goals in these four areas, I think it will do much in helping to maintain a healthy balance in life. We may enjoy our profession more. We may find more joy in our personal lives as well. My son once shared with us the phrase, “Enjoy the joy”. He would include this at the end of each letter that he wrote home to us each week. We asked him what he meant when he said this, if it was just a catchy phrase, or if it had a deeper meaning to him. Here’s a part of his response:

“Well, it is just a catchy phrase . . .ha-ha. Jokes. So, our Branch President here in Hamtic is President Jose Nabong. He is a painter. He lives in one of the further areas from the church, in a small cement/kawayou house, in some trees on the opposite side of a field, and across a bamboo bridge crossing the river. He is a poor man. But, he is always at church and activities. One thing President Nabong always exemplifies is being happy. He’s a nice, happy guy. He told a story one day. As a child one day at school his teacher asked everyone what they wanted to be when they grew up. Some farmers; some doctors, nurses. Some businessmen. But when it was his turn, he simply told his teacher, “I want to be happy.” He was laughed at by some, and the teacher re-explained the assignment thinking he didn’t understand. But that’s what he meant to say. . . he wanted to grow up and be happy. I want to be happy, too. When you are happy, you are happy. It’s a good feeling. I enjoy feeling good! I use this phrase often, “Enjoy the joy,” cause I have so many imperfections and need to remind myself as well to accept that joy. So, I looked up one time online and found a list, “12 things happy people do differently.” Number 9 on that list is to “Savor Life’s joys – Deep happiness cannot exist without slowing down to ‘enjoy the joy.’ It’s easy in a world of wild stimuli and omnipresent movement to forget to embrace life’s enjoyable experiences. When we neglect to appreciate, we rob the moment of its magic. It’s the simple things in life that can be the most rewarding if we remember to fully experience them.” To enjoy the joy does not mean to laugh, joke, and party all the time. It means that when good is around us, soak it in. When bad is around us let the good we’ve soaked in, out. And when everyone finds the negative in something, you find the positive. The things you love in life, make sure you love them. And most especially the PEOPLE you love in your life, make sure you love them! Love them, meaning a verb. Show your love by the things you say, think, and do.”

I hope we will all set goals to help us achieve a better balance in life, professionally and personally. And, hopefully, we can all follow the counsel of a twenty-year-old young man to “Enjoy the joy!”