As I’m writing this, I probably look like a hamster… and I’m drooling.

Not drooling like “mm that looks delicious.” Drooling because I can’t swallow and I can’t fully close my mouth. 🙃

Ok—let me start at the beginning.

Growing up, I always had at least one cavity when I went to the dentist. I don’t know if my teeth were just low-quality (rude), or if I ate too much candy, or if I didn’t brush well enough… but either way: dental care was free, and when something is free, they try to spend the least amount of money (and time) possible on each patient.

Even when the visit involved drilling… we didn’t get any numbing.
The dentist would say, “This will be over in a flash. You’re a big girl.”

His name was Tommy—and to this day, that name still gives me cold shivers.

As an adult,

I got notorious about never having another cavity again. I brushed and brushed and brushed.

And then my dentist in the U.S. told me I was brushing too much… and my gums were paying the price.

Fast forward to today

A tissue transplant from the roof of my mouth to the affected area.And even though modern dentistry gives you all the numbing you want, the fear of that chair is still there. My body remembers.

I kept having to mentally remind myself to unclench my knuckles and my butt cheeks (why do we do that??), because subconsciously I was bracing for pain that never came. I’m kind of proud of myself anyway.

I did my slow, steady box breathing.
And I survived.

So… why am I telling you all this?

Because life will, once in a while, throw a rock at you. Sometimes a big boulder. Sometimes just a small pebble. And having tools for those moments makes things one step easier.

Sometimes the tool is as simple as remembering to tap into a breathing practice before you do something you deeply fear—like going to the dentist.
And sometimes… it’s something much bigger.

Ridiculously grateful

Right now I’m sitting here feeling both sorry for myself (because it’s sore, and painful, and I’m hungry)… and also ridiculously grateful.

I’m lucky to be healthy.
I’m lucky this was fixable.
I’m lucky I have dental insurance that covers at least part of a four-figure bill.
I’m lucky this is a one-time thing—not something I have to go through over and over.

Today is one of those reminders that the darker it is, the easier it is to see the stars… and it doesn’t actually have to get that dark for us to appreciate them.

Instead of fighting the current

A dear friend once told me she wanted her life to feel like she was floating downstream, instead of always fighting the current. I love that metaphor.

But even if we’re floating… there will still be obstacles to dodge.
So like water, sometimes we soften. Sometimes we pause. And sometimes we simply find another way.

I hope life isn’t throwing any boulders at you today — and if it is, I hope you find a way around it, over it, under it, or straight through it.

Lots of love

Tina
Yoga Explorer

For daily insights, gentle nudges, and soft reminders

Follow along with Yoga Explorer on
Instagram and Facebook.

Have a friend who might enjoy this?
Forward it their way.

Sign up for Newsletter