Feel welcome

My experience.

I don't look it.

Talking about others is always easier than talking about myself. Small medical explanation: My teeth consist of; my own teeth, 2 primary teeth (incisors) and a top and bottom plate. One implanted tooth was fixed just before my trip to Finland. I had told the dentist that this was important because I was going to give lessons and presentations abroad.
In Oulu, Finland during dinner the tooth came loose again. Panic struck me: "How can I stand in front of groups with a loose, or even worse, no tooth? For years I did my best to put my insecurity far, far away and there it is again.
After a look in the mirror I decided that this could not continue and I had to drastically change my program. Earlier return to the Netherlands was an option but going to the dentist in Finland could also be done. I tried to slide my tooth back onto the pin and to my surprise I succeeded and although it was not too firm, the tooth stayed in place.
Peace returned with the expectation that I would not talk too much while teaching (just think of it). I was smart enough to take the tooth out at night, though, because swallowing is not practical. The next day, after my morning ritual, on the bus to Muhos. On the bus, panic struck again, my marker tooth was still on the sink!!!
I’ll summarize the conversation I had with myself in the bus. "Evert this is not possible, act normal, what are you talking about, don't be ridiculous and so on and on. About the day itself I don't have to tell much because I got through it unscathed, probably because nobody saw it, or at least didn't say anything. Back at my cottage I plopped down on my bed, totally worn out from my survival trip.
The next day I taught at OSAO in Oulu to a group of Social workers. The classes were going well and at one point a class was about self-confidence. Specifically how what others think and feel about someone affects them. Very, very briefly I was going to say sensible things about this, because after all I am a teacher, until I remembered yesterday's incident. I did not think twice, standing in front of the class, I turned around, pulled out my tooth and showed it to the students.
Some reacted with laughter, others with surprise or did not react at all. I recounted what had happened to me, especially emphasizing what it did to my self-confidence. The rest of the class, after I had first put my tooth back in, we had a good conversation especially about people's appearance and what that can do to someone. In the end, it's not just about looks, inner self is much more important. That makes you feel good.

Terug naar overzicht