Thoughts on 2005
When thinking about the past year, we all should try to focus on the positive, no matter how difficult many of our trials and tribulations this past year appear to us.
If you are having difficulty with your employer or job, please consider what else is out there for you. Take a different route. Look into other avenues for yourself, but do not sit and just dwell on the negative.
If you have suffered a loss or illness this year, think about the memories of the loved one and dwell on those good memories. Be thankful if your illness is under control, or if you no longer have it and can actually get up each day and smell the roses.
If any of the hurricanes damaged your homes and lives as it did ours, think about it carefully. Weigh it all and put it into perspective. We are still here to talk about it, to fix things up (no matter how trying that might be ), and to help others in their times of need. We are so fortunate that as bad as it seems it is all “cosmetic” and can be fixed. If it is your job that was affected by these storms, there are (thank goodness) other jobs out there, although you might have to look deep into yourself to find them and make the move.
If you have had an uneventful year, please do not become complacent; be thankful for this, and think about all of the nice things that have happened.
Perhaps you have a new child or grandchild (and remember we learn from children and children seem to heal all of our hurts somehow). Perhaps you have a child who recently married someone ever so special. Perhaps you, your spouse, or significant other got a wonderful bonus or promotion. Perhaps you found the “perfect job” for you. Or perhaps you just get up each morning and say, “Thank you, God, for letting me see another day.”
Remember that if we can stay positive, if we can be thankful for even the small things in life, if we can do good for someone (no matter how insignificant it might seem), we have done our job, and a good one at that.
Thank you to RDH magazine and to PennWell for being so wonderful in giving us RDH Under One Roof and RDH magazine. You keep us all so well informed on the ins and outs of the dental hygiene profession and on what we should be informed about and focus on.
May 2006 be less eventful for those who suffered, more eventful for the good things that can and will happen to all of us, and just a wonderful year for everyone.
Look at the positive and see the silver lining - not the negative. It takes too much energy to concentrate on the negative.
Jane Weiner, RDH
Tamarac, Florida
Dental hygienists suffered serious property damage in Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Florida as a direct result of hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. The need for an ongoing relief fund became clear. The RDH Lister’s Relief Fund, a non-profit organization, was created to collect and distribute funds to dental hygienists facing an unexpected loss from a natural disaster or life-threatening event. Since September 1, 2005, more than $17,000 has been raised.
This is an ideal opportunity to make a charitable donation to help fellow dental hygienists and turn your dream of being a cover model into reality! Tickets are available at www.anneguignon.com.
