Make new friends ...but keep the old

I can still hear my young daughters singing the song, "Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold." It's a song I've always loved because in my heart it truly represents sustainable friendships. Old friendships you cherish. New friendships you nurture.

Something else I've loved has been visiting area preschools these past 10 years during the month of February, Children's Dental Health month. I believe this is when the dental profession can shine its light, share it with others and in turn create sustainable dental habits for children. But as much as I have LOVED  sharing my dental health passion with preschoolers,  it's the time and smiles spent with these young children that fills my "bucket." year after year. #pricelessmemories

And speaking of buckets, below is a photo of two cardboard boxes I have lugged around with me these past 10 years. I place items in each bucket the children can talk about and decide if the item will make their tooth happy or sad.

 

Well, when I resurrected these cardboard boxes I realized it was time to create something more sustainable. So, I headed to the store and selected two containers I thought would help make things easier to transport. I was thinking: Sleek. Simple. Sustainable. As you can see below, I think I achieved cleaning up the appearance of the containers...but I'm not sure they make me smile as much.

 

 

Anyone who knows me, knows I lead with my heart and won't be surprised that I'm now feeling a little nostalgic recycling these cardboard boxes. They have over served their purpose and are now falling apart.....but they still have my heart.

 

So maybe, like the song says, "make new friends but keep the old" I'll work with the new containers but keep a photo of the old ones near by. A photo to remind me of each child's smile and giggle when we talk about cavity bugs, wiggly teeth and every silly story they've share with me. I am so blessed!

 

Sending a smile

Judy

 

 

 

 

 

The Sustainable Generation

The Lost Generation. The Silent Generation. The Greatest Generation. The Millennials. Baby Boomers. Generation X. Generation Y. Generation Z. Hipsters.

Who knows what label will be generated next to define a group of like minded people. Well, I’d like to propose one, if I may be so bold. Introducing the Sustainable Generation (Probably not a surprise to anyone following my blog.)

To me, the Sustainable Generation encompasses all ages, all genders, all cultures of people existing on this planet who are environmentally aware of their surroundings. Past present and future! People. Planet . Profit.

Some of this Sustainable Generation will be living a Farm to Table lifestyle (http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/farm-to-table-food-movement) , one I could only dream of. Check out the attached website though. Very cool and inspiring. Others will be composting, recycling and reusing items on an occasional basis. Others, sustainability choices may have only arrived on their radar screen. Either way, we are all in this together and can certainly glean from each other’s experiences. We all win….when we all win.

Sending a smile,
Judy

A-mish you!

Yes, I have missed you and this Blog! No, I haven’t misspelled anything in the header. Just inviting you to climb aboard my writing horse and buggy to take a ride:)

I was blessed to spend childhood summers living on a lake with my family of seven in a small three bedroom cottage surrounded by over 40 first cousins. It was a blast. At times, it was magical. Funny though, when I return to that childhood cottage I’m more aware of the beautiful Amish community that surrounds the lake. A community steeped in a sustainable lifestyle. A community rich with values of peace, honesty, obedience, compassion, respect and humility.

Fast forward 40 years.  I now find myself trying to integrate more sustainable habits into my own personal and professional life. As I reflect on the Amish culture though, I am in awe of the lifestyle choices they have made. Think about it. They truly live “off the grid”. No electricity in most Amish communities. No electronics. No cell phones. No automobiles. No washer and dryers! This is not an easy life. There are plenty of hardships, sacrifices and challenges. I wonder if there is also a healthy balance of joy, family, friendship and fun as well.  And yes, I do believe there is also plenty we can learn from the Amish way of life without having to dramatically change our own lifestyles.

At home or at the dental office, use electricity wisely. Turn off or power down a machine while not in use. Update your lighting! Use energy efficient lighting choices.

Give back to your community. To become truly sustainable we must give back to the community we are a part of. Bake a pie for your neighbor. Donate dental supplies to mission trip.

Work hard. Produce quality work at a fair price.

Be good stewards of your home, community and world!

In all that you do, be honest. When you blow it, make amends right away!

I do hope this short blog has sparked a sustainable idea or two for you to integrate into your life. I don’t think we have to sell our vehicles or disconnect from Consumers quite yet but we can make small choices towards a more sustainable lifestyle. “Gut-n-Owed.” Good night!

 

Sending a smile:)

Judy

Just breathe......

Breathe. A small phrase gently shared from a Yoga teacher. The same phrase very enthusiastically shouted from a Jazzercise™ instructor.  An action encouraged from a Meditation presenter.  I can even recall a movie scene where the actress Drew Barrymore, chants to herself…..”Just breathe.” How can one simple action bring about  calm, clarity and sometimes rejuvenation? Could it be something as simple as the exchange of oxygen? I don’t know, but if I don’t focus on the metabolic and physiological components of breathing, I could grab around the simple fact that when I breathe, much needed oxygen is brought into my body and used accordingly.

Simply put, breath equals life.

So where am I going with the topic of breathing? Well, long story short, I’ve been a little challenged lately to do just that. For me, it’s been a season of exciting changes and activity some of which have lead to shorter, shallower breathing instead of deeper, more cleansing breath cycles. This simple action has caused me to look inward and then outward. And guess what? I was reminded how much I take breathing for granted. Even more so, breathing clean unpolluted oxygen.

I am very fortunate to live in a community that takes the quality of air very seriously. What about you? Do you live in an area that fosters forestry and plant growth to help create and replace oxygen? Are your community factory emissions monitored? If not, I challenge you to begin talking to your community representatives. Ask questions. Seek to help foster sustainable air quality where you live.

Now, what about your work place? Is there proper ventilation near your dental sterilizing equipment? Look around. Ask around. What about your personal operatories. Are you satisfied with the air quality or could you benefit from a small portable HEPA Filtration System™? What about other co-workers in your building? Are they challenged with the quality of air flow that could easily be corrected? Remember, we’re in this together. Each and every member of you dental team, patients included, are deserving of clean, sustainable air circulation.

Simply put….we all deserve to “just breathe.”

 

Sending a smile,

Judy

Dancing on the Grid

The Grid. Better yet, the Smart Grid. 

Traditionally, "grid" is a term used to describe a pathway where energy is collected and distributed.  Today, we are being introduced to the concept of a "smarter grid." A system that not only draws from coal and oil production but now taps into solar energy, hydro energy and wind energy.

I am blessed to live in a community that supports wind energy and solar shingle research. After touring an actual wind farm 5 years ago and following the progress of solar shingles production my quest to learn more was fueled.

What I dream about today is applying those sustainable energy options to our dental profession. I believe we can. Someone has to dream a more sustainable world, why not us? Why can't we imagine a world where individual wind turbines are placed that directly supply energy to our dental buildings? If excess energy is over produced it could be stored or sold back to the Smart Grid. When wind energy is not enough, why couldn't the placement of solar shingles on dental office roof tops supplement our energy needs? We may not be able to fly solo just yet, but we can try to reduce our dependence on coal and oil. A Smart Grid is using what we already have...... better!

What about fueling your "personal grid?" How do you produce, store and redistribute your personal energy?  Had you asked me that question 5 years ago I would have been challenged to answer you. My life didn't show signs of "collecting" energy, it was in the "energy distribution mode" almost 24/7. Thankfully, I have discovered a much loved exercise routine, meditation practice and educational opportunities that really fill me up. What I love most about fueling my personal grid is what pours from me....more compassion, enthusiasm and physical stamina.

So whether you wobble, shuffle, scoot or boogie....just come dance with me along the grid.

No pointing fingers....only open hearts

For me, this is a challenging post to share. By now, most everyone in the dental profession has heard of the recent infection control break down in the Tulsa Oklahoma Oral Surgeon’s dental office where over 7000 patients may have been infected with HIV, Hepatitis B and/ or C. Sadly, this isn’t the first situation in which devastating consequences have occurred because of human error. I’d like it to be the last though!

What I’ve learned, first and for most, is to not pass judgment but rather to learn from circumstances. I like reminding myself when judgment and criticism creep into my thoughts and I begin to point a finger, there are actually 3 of my own fingers pointing right back at me. Seriously, stop and try this. With your index finger, point at your computer screen and then look at your hand. Notice the 3 fingers pointing right back at you? I rest my case.

So what have I learned from the tragedy in Tulsa:

Do not, even for sustainability efforts, reuse single use items. Follow the recommended use for your dental supplies. If you are not the expert in that product manufacturing, you must learn to follow the expert’s recommendations.  Just keep it simple. Do not reuse single use items.

Follow the law. If you are not licensed to perform a dental procedure, then don’t do it. Use the end result of this case to share with your employer if you are asked to perform a service you are not licensed or qualified to perform. On the flip side of this coin, if you are licensed to perform a needed procedure, but do not feel qualified, then seek out continuing education on this matter.

No matter what the cost, do not utilize broken instruments or unreliable sterilization equipment. Believe me, I am the queen of “waste not, want not” but we all must have strong boundaries when it comes to the sterilization chain. The sustainability model we strive to recognize believes in people, planet and profit. Notice that the word “people” is placed first in this phrase and profit is last. While I respect and acknowledge the reality of profits, one must never place human life behind the component of profit. Keep your instruments up to date. Keep your sterilization equipment current and regularly tested. If you don’t already test for the effectiveness of this equipment, call your local dental school and ask for assistance. There is guidance and help available.

Challenge yourself and other team members to evaluate your infection control procedures. We are human, we are not perfect. I don’t believe anyone  purposes to cause harm to those we are serving but we can become blinded to our automatic routines. So sit down and discuss your sterilization techniques with your team members. Leave fear at the door. Leave criticism at the door.  Help each other out. Don’t let this tragedy in Tulsa be a wasted learning opportunity.

Let our actions be an offering of support to the victims and employees suffering through the unknown outcomes of this event.

No pointing fingers... just open hearts.

Criss cross applesauce

Just imagine a group of precocious preschoolers all sitting with their legs "criss-crossed applesauce" waiting for you to enter their school room.  It really is a beautiful site, even as one whole-heartedly attempts to sit "criss-cross applesauce" with the children.  I laugh about that undertaking now. I'm sure others still do but that's OK. For the past 6 years I have volunteered during the month of February (National Dental Health Month) at area preschools and it is an absolute blast! Yes, volunteering is a part of the sustainability model of People Planet Profit. It's also a great way to fill up your own life bucket!

So what does filling up your life bucket look like? To me, it's all about adding something substantial, something of value, something that gives passion and energy into your life and the lives of others. That "something" is going to look different for each us. The sharing of my dental health passions with young children is what ultimately fills up my life bucket. What fills up yours?

Let's look at the flip side of this action now. I wonder, and hope, that if I've shared my time, talent and treasures with others I might fill up their life bucket as well.  Going even deeper with this concept please read.the following tale from India that I believe is never too "old " to repeat:

 

The Cracked Pot 

 A water-bearer carries two large pots on a yoke across his shoulders up the hill from the river to his master's house each day. One has a crack and leaks half its water out each day before arriving at the house. The other pot is perfect and always delivered a full portion of water after the long walk from the river.
Finally, after years of arriving half-empty and feeling guilty, the cracked pot apologized to the water-bearer. It was miserable. "I'm sorry that I couldn't accomplish what the perfect pot did."
The water-bearer says, "What do you have to apologize for?"
"After all this time, I still only deliver half my load of water. I make more work for you because of my flaw."
The man smiled and told the pot. "Take note of all the lovely flowers growing on the side of the path where I carried you. The flowers grew so lovely because of the water you leaked. There are no flowers on the perfect pot's side."


Now imagine what our world would look like if we all reached out to share our gifts and talents with other regardless of our imperfections. I'd love to know what you do that fills up your life bucket. How do you reach out into your community  to strengthen your piece of the sustainability model? For me, whenever I look into the face of a child and see hope, curiosity, joy, and a wealth of untitled expressions spilling from them....... my bucket gets filled to the brim.

Sending a smile:)
Judy
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