Articles from prior issues of The Advocate

November/December, 1997

"It's A Juggle Out There"
by Beth Davis, Georgia DDS

AT THE NATIONAL NADE CONFERENCE in Louisville, KY, Dr. Shirley Garrett offered observations on juggling the different parts of our lives. We all have a work part of our lives, one part for our families, and one part for ourselves. When in our busy lives, we juggle these parts to try to fit everything into our day. Frequently, the part we drop is our personal part. We need to take time for our own mental and physical well being. Dr. Garrett suggests that we look at ourselves in the mirror each evening and tell ourselves that we have done the best job we could possible have done that day. Each of us needs a pat on the back for a job well done. Most of us don’t get this from others, so it is up to us to reward ourselves. Most of us are guilty of being poor listeners. Frequently, we zone out when someone is speaking to us, we just nod and say “uh huh” in appropriate places. This makes us feel we have done our job until the person takes a breath. Then we jump in with our story. We owe it to the person speaking to us, no matter who it is, ( our family member, coworker, or claimant), to listen to them. We need to listen and seek to understand their viewpoint before we ask for ours to be understood. In conclusion, Dr. Garrett advised that we shouldn’t let others destroy our self confidence. If something is important to us, then we shouldn’t let others take it away by telling us that we don’t quite measure up to their standards. We should reach deep inside ourselves and rediscover what is important to us or what we have suppresorsed. Dr. Garrett’s speech was dynamic and timely. The audience was energized and enjoyed this session.