Important thing to muse about
Summer Lotus 2 days ago 4 min read
It seems a little scary. In five years time, I will be sixty-eight years old. I don’t feel an iota of sixty-three in me now. I am not jaded nor resigned nor dull. I attribute that to my curious nature and the zest for continuous learning.
When the pandemic hit in 2020, I doubled down on my efforts to learn and get things done. I put into fruition my company website, started an e-commerce website that would need sprucing up further (at least I got started) and started to develop an interest in reading and writing.
Those decisions had helped me a lot. First, I felt a new and fresh surge of fresh air in my life. Then I felt very encouraged that I did my own website which may not be very commercial like those done by professionals but it is interactive, functional and informative. I never thought I could do it in the first place. I constantly updated it with current dental health posts. I have also managed to get good rankings from my appreciative patients.
The e-commerce site has become functional now but lacks the marketing that it deserves. Otherwise, I think I have a product that is an improvement on existing ones. Pet bandanas are a dime a dozen, I have added gems to make them more fashionable. I felt more creativity in me these days.
Reading and writing are the best things that I have embarked on though I started on these as late as Dec 2019. I choose to read good stuff by writers who improve my mind and I do that by following those who have a huge following. I am really impressed by how some authors are so innovative, generous and encouraging with their ideas.
Writing totally changed me. I would pick out a good point or two from each article and put it to work. By writing, I have also become more self-analytical and bent on improving myself as I grow older. I never knew philosophy for example is such helpful tool to use as one meets myriad challenges in life.
So, what have I become so far? I think I have become more mindful and relaxed about life. Some things will just frays me out like yesterday when I thought that I lost the handphone in the restaurant. Because of reading, I reminded myself to calm down. It was putting my reading into practice.
Eventually, I calmed down and thought over. I did not bring my handphone out at all since at the safe-entry point, I had used my identity card to scan and the mobile was not in my bag. I had just forgotten that.
I have become more congenial with people. Less uptight about the daily grind. More grateful that my patients continue to support me as an older dentist. They trusted me and I will always deliver my best.
I have recruited two dentists wannabes (students) who have applied to the dentistry course at the University and now they are temping as part-time dental assistants in my clinic. I love sharing with them my knowledge and management of patients. Meanwhile, I benefitted from their being IT savvy.
I believe that they would make good dentists and if our paths ever cross again, they would be welcome to work at my clinic which I will always ensure to be updated, well-equipped and renewed regularly. It has been established for over twenty years.
They would be the new blood that inject the breath of fresh air into my dental surgery. I would be the stalwart that oversees that the clinic functions well and share with them my wealth of experiences. We will gain from each other.
Five years from now, they would have graduated. I see myself slowing down doing selected cases, my current dental associates still happily working with me and more dentists coming to seek work here. I see myself enjoying some of my pursuits like travelling and writing which I hope would become more recognized by then. I hope my writing will spark off enthusiasm in anyone who is keen to read and benefit from them.
I do not see retirement as an option. Yoga, travelling, enjoying nature are certainly on the cards. I would like to be seen as a beacon of hope whom young people and my peers would like to seek my views. And of course, I still want to look my best though it is hard to stop the ravaging arm of aging. But definitely trying to have a natural, graceful, dignified appearance.
“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; True Nobility is being superior to your former self”. — -Ernest Hemmingway
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