Time out

So today started with tornado sirens at 6 am here in West Michigan! Oh what a joy to wake up to that alarm. Then as I’m trying to coax the dog to go potty against her will at 8 am amidst the torrential downpour, I got a phone call with bad news from the car dealership about my 2010 FJ Cruiser ( my dream car )! Sniffle.

So to say I went to my “emergency “ 9 am dentist appointment with a positive attitude would be a lie. Then to say it went smoothly would be to compound the first lie with a second one. My dentist hit a nerve ( I was not numb ) while filing down a new ( and painful) filling. And I yelped n jerked away out of instinct.

Then I did something I rarely do - I called a Time Out ! I was done - or as the kids say , I was “ So over it”!

The dentist was trying to explain what happened and why she didn’t numb me and why I shouldn’t have jumped. And I was simply in no mood to smile n say -“ that’s ok”! So I didn’t.

I dunno but I think with age , I have FINALLY given myself permission to speak up and say Enough when I am uncomfortable or pushed past my limit. And I was so proud of myself. It felt good to say -“ I’m done. This isn’t working for me “. I don’t think this is a life skill folks were teaching as I grew up in the 80’s.

Yes, you could have heard a pin drop as I left the dentists office but I didn’t care. I was in pain (and maybe a little upset) so I did what I needed to do to take care of me, to protect my peace ! ( and probably the dentists young ears)

I said -“ I’m done “! No muss. No fuss. No apology. I walked away ! I didn’t just grin n bear it.

So the next time life makes you uncomfortable and you don’t feel like “being polite “ and taking it ? Don’t !!! It feels amazing !!!!