It's time for everyone, including dental hygienists, to give thanks

Nov. 19, 2014

It's the time of year where the editor of FOCUS encourages her dental hygienist Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada as a day of giving thanks for the blessings of the harvest and the preceding year. Many places around the world observe similar celebrations. This is the time of year we focus on giving thanks for the joys and blessings in our lives. readers to give thanks for their many blessings. But don't stop being thankful when the season is over.

Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada as a day of giving thanks for the blessings of the harvest and the preceding year. Many places around the world observe similar celebrations. This is the time of year we focus on giving thanks for the joys and blessings in our lives.

I give thanks for my husband, George, my parents, sisters, nieces, nephews, and other family members, my friends, and my animals, especially Scooty and Benji. (For those who know me well, I’m a fierce animal lover.) Freedom, nature, clean air, a warm home, and food on my table … I do not take any of these things for granted.

I’m thankful for my profession of dental hygiene, and the complementary vocations of speaking, writing, education, and research. My profession has sometimes been difficult, but during those times I have recognized my limitations, seen them as opportunities, and I’ve grown. I’m appreciative of each new challenge, as they have built strength and character. I’ve learned valuable lessons from my mistakes. When I’m tired or jet lagged, I push through, and hope that I have somehow made a difference in my profession or someone’s life.

While I’m grateful for all the good things in my life, I can look back and feel a sense of fulfillment for the disappointments and difficulties, because I have grown from them. I appreciate all of you who read this newsletter; you make my efforts worthwhile. Thanks also to all my colleagues at PennWell for their assistance in the production of this newsletter – Meg, Mark, Craig, and others.

As the seasons change, Thanksgiving can be time to reflect on the changes in our lives. We can acknowledge that we, too, grow and change from one season of life to another. Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. I challenge you to think of three things every night before you go to sleep for which you are thankful. Keep a journal, and make it a point to show your appreciation to others every day – it makes a difference. Make a habit of saying thank you and making others feel needed and appreciated. Write a thank you note, pay it forward, support a cause, or volunteer your time. Grateful people are less stressed, healthier, less depressed, more compassionate, and generally more satisfied with life.

While we can all get caught up with holiday meals and shopping, try to focus on the true meaning of Thanksgiving – giving thanks. I know I will…

I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving.