Hate is a strong word, so I hate to use it, but there's one thing I do like to use it for... trips to the dentist.
I don't know if you're like me or not, but I've never liked the dentist. I'm shocked that anyone actually likes working on teeth. Plus, I somehow feel that the dentist report on your teeth is like a report card and when you get cavities, you flunk.
I've even been honest with my kids - sorry, I hate going to the dentist, so I can't help you much if you dislike the dentist too.
So essentially, I've let the dentist become a point of mental exhaustion in my life... and I've even extended it to my kids. Well, that's not entirely true. My youngest proudly enjoys the dentist.
Yesterday, however, I saw the light. While my teeth were being cleaned, I took a breath and enjoyed the moment of doing nothing else and I also asked, how can I be grateful for this moment?
I took a moment to be grateful that someone else had the desire to help me avoid and deal with tooth pain.
For one moment, everything changed. Well, I can't say I love the dentist now, but it reminded me how powerful gratitude is. It really can revolutionize your perspective.
Last fall, it happened too. Well, not the new perspective on dentist, but a mental switch that changed my perspective. Fall is usually my least favorite time of the year, for a whole list of reasons that includes the anniversary of my brother's passing and the heavenly birthday of my firstborn son who was born early and passed within an hour.
I made a mental change going into the fall, thanks to the Lord's leading, and I said to myself, "This will be my best fall."
Somehow, that change created it. I enjoyed the change far more than usual... all because I dared to change my thinking.
What perspective shift might you need today?
