teeth, teats, and glimmers
One morning recently, I went to the dentist for a routine cleaning. I’ve been better about flossing my teeth due to a headline about plague in the mouth being linked to Alzheimer’s. I didn’t read the article and I know I should but there is just so much to read, and really to be honest, I want to escape reality for a spell and read about people frolicking on a beach instead.
I told the hygienist that I’m really flossing these days to which she responded, “Were you lying before?” Just a wee bit.
But, before I plopped down in the chair, after giving the receptionist my name, a woman I didn’t recognize, walked by me and said, “Your book was amazing.” It was the first time a stranger came up and said such a thing and I have to eggmit (do you know anyone that said this? I did or maybe it was just my brother pulling my leg) but it was really nice to hear.
After my dental cleaning, it was time for my breasts to get some attention. I scheduled an MRI proactively given my family history and because I have nice dense breasts. Note to the women out there and to those that love us, sometimes an ultrasound or MRI is needed to properly screen dense breast tissue so if you’ve been told you have dense tata’s, talk to your doctor.
My doc never recommended further screening. But after I read about Katie Couric and Glennon Doyle’s sister, Amanda, also known as Sister’s breast cancer, I went to a specialist, had a proper risk assessment, and decided on an MRI.
After putting the gown on and then taking it off because I did it incorrectly, I put it back on and was offered headphones to drown out the loud noises of the machine. The tech asked me what kind of music I wanted to listen to. I shrugged and said, “spa music?”
I decided I was going to pretend I was at a spa getting some fancy new treatment that beamed magical somethings into me. This didn’t work for long because the sounds of the MRI were deafening like an alarm one might find in a nightmarish hellscape. Very quietly, underneath the hammering, I could hear softly, “Whoa listen to the music”. I laughed. So much for pretending I was at a spa in the Mediterranean. Instead, I got the Doobie Brothers, and I could barely even hear them.
I conjured up every nervous system calming technique I could think of. I let out long, slow exhales out of my mouth and brought to mind the glimmers I experienced that morning.
It helped!
Glimmers, one of my favorite topics, is the opposite of a trigger which causes a fight or flight response in the body. A glimmer helps the body relax and feel safe.
I thought of the kind woman at the dentist who gave me a compliment. And I thought of the warm faces of dear friends rooting me on.
Staying with the glimmers distracted me and helped me feel calm-ish.
Little does the nice woman know that those four words got me through the day which turned out to be difficult and not just because of doctor’s appointments.
Kindness is a beautiful antidote to stress and sorrow and has the ability to lower the stress hormone, cortisol, in the body.
We all thrive in a culture of kindness and Manischewitz do we need more of it right now!
It’s crazy AF out there with lots of uncertainty and a whole lot of noise. Feel your feelings and take a break from the news and social media and know kindness and compassion, gratitude and glimmers may seem small – but they help with the overwhelm.
My wish for you this summer: May you notice the glimmers. May you be well. May you be safe, healthy, happy, and at peace.
*If you could use more healing tips on staying grounded while in the healing space of community, I have an online circle going on right now. Tuesdays from 10-11 on zoom. If you have any questions or would like to join, please let me know, I’d love to have you! In person circles resume in September. *