Have you ever wondered what you could have done differently if you
can turn back time? As I’m going to start another new phase of my life soon, I
thought it would be appropriate do a self-reflection post for the past 10
years. Honestly, I have always wanted to try write one of these ‘advice to my
younger self’ letters.
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| Me at 18 |
I know it’s a fact that I have changed and grown in many ways.
What I valued at 18 and my perspective of life is really different now. After
graduating, I realized I have kept myself a prisoner in a cocoon for far too
long and wished I could have challenged myself a little more.
At 18, I was still in the carefree stage of life and the reality
of the future has not hit me yet. I hope
by sharing this letter it will help to give some value to those who are
aspiring to become dentists.
So here it goes – a letter to RC at sweet 18
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Hey Rei Chiel,
It's me, you from 10 years later. As I recall, you must have just
left college and about to spend 9 months idle before you start dental school. These 9 months are very precious time which
you can invest to grow your general knowledge and they are I-M-P-O-R-T-A-N-T.
Spend more time reading and read far and wide. Take heed of your mother’s
nagging to be interested in world issues, economics and business. She meant it
well and you will thank her for it because from where I am now, I regret not
knowing much more.
Ever since young you have been obsess of becoming a dentist and
quite determined at least finishing your tertiary education till a postgraduate
level in orthodontics. However, I know
you ACTUALLY don’t really know what you are diving into. Dentistry has many
dimensions and if you plan it right, can turn out to be a rewarding career. You
not only need to be a good clinician but also learn how to be an entrepreneur (which
you will learn nothing of this in dental school). There are so many roles to juggled which
makes this field interesting but yet daunting at the same time. It would be good if you seek out of
opportunities to shadow a dentist before you go off to India. Don't be fooled
by those cliché quotes in line with "Follow your passion and you will
never work a day in your life" Life is more dynamic than that and passion
can change over time. You won’t always be happy as a dentist. There will be days
you will drag your feet to work and have to face stresses you did not even
think about before. The work you are about to do is very tedious and precise. You
will have to manage patients (human beings) of different temperaments and
limiting anatomy (e.g.: small month openings, macroglossia, hypersalivation).
You will also have to work with unmotivated staffs and having to juggle between
being nice or strict with them. You will face many things that are beyond your
control but don’t let all these weighs you down. Just aim to be better than
yesterday and encourage those around to do the same.
This
is a life long journey of learning. It is a fact that you will not be well
equipped to handle every case when you first join the workforce. There will be times
you aren’t the most confident and when things don’t go as planned for example
you broke a root tip and unable to retrieve it, you will feel like a failure.
You may even lose sleep thinking about your patients. IS OK REI CHIEL. There
will be hiccups and please don’t beat yourself too much. Rather than allowing
introspection overtake your mind, take steps to improve and relearn. One key
thing while at university, don’t be scare to make lots of mistakes while you
have the lecturers to hold your hands. Playing it safe while in dental school
will only be at your disadvantage in the future when you have to work alone. Build
your experience and mistakes can be your best learning tool. Those who were
fighting for the chance to learn aren’t inconsiderate of others; they see the
value in experiencing it first hand in order to help others next time.
Keeping
yourself spiritually and mentally fit is also important. Daily, you may meet
patients that come in and tell you they hate being here, they were traumatized
in the past, they dread the sound of drill, demanding for a discount or even
asking you the entire spectrum of dentistry. It can get quite toxic and drains
your energy. It is crucial you identify with these frustrations and struggles. Pour
them out with your close friends and don’t bottle up. Rely on God’s word to
draw strength and encouragement. In time of extreme anxieties, run to the Lord
in prayer. Also, do not develop the habit of comparing yourself to others. With the bloom of social media (For you, I guess it is
still the era of MSN messenger or is it Facebook messenger?) many people
will start to look for validation through these platforms. You will see how
your friends (especially those who aren’t dentist) are doing well: enjoying
their work and living life to the fullest. You will feel like you are so constricted
in the clinic premise 6 days a week, not progressing much in your work or life.
Don’t compare yourself with others! What they do with their life is none of
your business and you shouldn't measure yourself against them. Behind the scene,
people are striving for what they want. Remember you are not trying aim for the
worldly successes (power, riches, fame) but living your life serving God and
your neighbors. Learn to count your blessing everyday and give thanks.
Also, try to shed off your shyness. You will have lots of
opportunities in the future to meet with great people and many a time you lose
out because you don't dare to initiate the conversations. Listening to other is
good, but you got to also learn to form your own opinion about things and not
be the silent listener. Be more vocal, thick-face and be interested in others.
I know you are very idealistic that this stage of life and is
having a rosy picture of the future. You are not fickle minded about your
decisions and want to strive for your goals. You like to know that you have everything
planned out and what’s coming next. However, I hope you do realize that life is
an unpredictable journey. There is no such thing as a perfect life. The next 10
years WILL BE a roller-coaster ride but you will also be surrounded with many
good Samaritans by your side. It is you that need to stay humble but yet bold. Be
curious and seize the moment. Don’t be disappointed if things don’t turn out
the way you wanted because in every disappointment comes an opportunity to
experience something different. That is more valuable and helps to shape you
into a better person. Live like today’s your last and strive for the best to
help others in need.
I love you,
Your 28 years old self
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