I have nothing against dentists. As Jerry Seinfeld would say, I’m not an “antidentite.” However, during their work hours, they are not my favorite people to see. I can imagine you may feel the same way. No one enjoys the metal hook poking and prodding your gums.  No one enjoys the shots in the jaw. And the high pitched squeal of that drill…SHOOT ME NOW! And I’m not sure if PAYING for the whole thing (a lot of $$$, btw) isn’t worse than the whole experience itself.

I can imagine it’s tough being a dentist.  Not only do you have to put your hands in people’s mouths all day, but you also have to deal with their edginess, rudeness, crying, shouting and maybe even profanity as they bare through sometimes intense pain.

All that being said, as I sat in the chair today and had a VERY intense dental procedure performed I was pleasantly surprised by how kind the oral surgeon was to me.  He was patient with my questions, complimented me on my shoes and his staff was very helpful the whole 3 hours I was in the office. They all seemed to not just be concerned with getting me “in and out” of the chair, but they actually seemed like they cared. Like I mattered. As if that wasn’t enough he personally called me this evening to check on me and make sure everything was ok.

Here’s a guy who is the LAST guy that anyone wants to see. He has EVERY reason, every excuse in the world to not be kind. Think about it…you have no choice but to see him, you are a captive audience in that chair and he is the one who will later write the script for your pain meds…he could act however he wanted to. He could have come in the room, performed the procedure without a word and left. This one acted better, and it made my day better.

When it’s all said and done, kindness is just better.  Your life may not be ideal right now. You may be having a rough day. But, sowing a seed of kindness today will produce the fruit of joy tomorrow.

When others lash out a server at restaurant who gets their order wrong, you won’t because kindness is better.  When others are in such a hurry and so busy that they fail to notice the people around them, you won’t be because kindness is better. When others raise their voice in disappointment and frustration at their spouse, kids, coworkers or employees you won’t, because kindness is better.

In the words of Mark Twain, “Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”

“A 40 hour week is the key to a 40 year (+) marriage”

How many times have you seen “It’s a Wonderful Life?” Even though the movie was made in 1946, it’s in black and white and I have seen it ten thousand times, I still watch it at least once every year during the Christmas season. I can quote the lines word for word and always know what’s coming next, but there is just something about the story, the idea that compels me.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the story, here’s the JWV (Josh Wright Version) of the synopsis (SPOILER ALERT)…George Bailey gives of himself all the time, he’s at the end of his rope and cannot give anymore, he contemplates giving up.  Clarence (an angel) takes George on a journey to see what life would be like without him. Basically, they world would be a terrible place without George and the town wouldn’t be able to function in his absence; people go crazy, there’s a spinster, a gunshot, and a police chase. George has a catharsis, followed by an epiphany, followed by a passage back to reality and is thankful that the world can’t go on without him…a bell rings…Clarence gets his wings. The end.

This movie is great. But this way of thinking can be dangerous.

The reality is that that world CAN, and WILL go on without you. And that’s a good thing. Your office needs to empty more than it’s occupied. The computer has a shut down mode, you should use it sometime and maybe have one of your own. Embracing this (and the subsequent freedom and joy that can come with it) can be quite liberating. What this means is that you can clock out. You can be inaccessible. Your iPhone “DND” function actually works. And you don’t have to feel guilty about it.

In fact, I’ve learned that I am happier, healthier, have a better marriage and actually GET MORE ACCOMPLISHED when I chose to not burn the midnight oil. So, why not chose what’s better today (or tomorrow).  Clock out at 5pm (or whatever the appropriate time is for you).  Make the choice to not feel guilty about it and experience the BETTER LIFE.