I had to have a tooth extracted yesterday, “number 31″ in dental lingo–my rear-most lower right molar, in layman’s terms.  Had a BIG cavity in it when I was a teen-ager, and over the years what was left of the tooth held up as best it could but finally broke down and there was no saving it.  The only reason I bring this up is because of the oral surgeon who removed it, Dr. Curry.  If it’s possible to say that a tooth extraction was a pleasant process, then I would say this guy needs to get credit. (And no, I didn’t get a discount for writing this!  In fact, he doesn’t even know I’m on the radio!) 

The point is, no matter what the circumstances, it doesn’t cost anything to be sensitive, caring, upbeat and pleasant.  Trust me, I wasn’t happy to be having a tooth pulled, and I went into that office in a defensive, resentful sort of mood.  A mood not made any better by the various disclaimers and waivers that I had to sign regarding payment and possible medical before-and-after-effects.  But the doctor’s genuine personal warmth encouraged me to let down my defenses, and “roll with the flow.”   I began to feel like, heck, there was no saving that tooth anyway, it had to come out, why not just accept it and make the best of it.

Really, so much of life is centered on Reinhold Niebuhr’s well-known prayer….

“God, give us grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.”

It sure does make it easier, though, to accept what can’t be changed when you’re dealing with people who are sensistive, warm and genuinely care.  Makes ME want to be like that for OTHER people–I’m gonna try to be better at that from now on…