Something to Talk About

So the second part of my post about being in Wurzburg. This may end up being a bit of me rambling as I'm just trying to get everything together and get my thoughts out. This may also be a bit boring for some people and it won't have much for pictures. Sorry.

Something to talk about. Most of you are probably breaking into song at this very moment. Although I enjoy that song, it's not where I was going with that phrase. That is the phrase which rocked me to the core this weekend. 

As I had mentioned, at the conference there was a woman who spoke about forensic dentistry and her experience working to identify victims of the World Trade Center. This woman was an amazing speaker. She was also a model of the type of hygienist I could only dream to be. I've been fortunate to meet many women like this through the years, but she was another reminder of all I could hope to be. She has quite a bit of experience - I'm guessing somewhere between 30-40 years. She has done more than work as a hygienist. She's been very involved in different dental hygiene organizations as well as dental organizations and a dental board. She has worked to pass legislature about the role of dental hygiene. She has worked as a part of a forensic team. She gives lectures at continuing education courses. She is an examiner for dental hygiene licensing board exams. I only hope in 40 years I have done as much and made as much of an impact as her.

As I was sitting in class, it made me think about school and what I've been doing in school. I only have one semester left, and there have been times recently where I've been wondering what I should do next. What is next in line for me. Where do I go from here? I've thought a lot about that. I will complete my Masters, however, with the state of the world at the moment, there isn't a lot available for new job opportunities for me. I've often wondered... if a job became available to utilize my new degree, would I go for it? Would I be ready, willing, and able to leave hygiene behind? I haven't been sure of the answer of to that. This weekend confirmed for me that no, no I would not be able to leave it behind. When I started working on my Masters my goal was to find a way to "marry" dental hygiene with education in some way. To "marry" dental hygiene with cardiology. To do... something. Something. This weekend I feel like it became a bit more clear. I was sitting in class, listening to the lecture, and I realized I wanted to do this. I wanted to be the person up there talking with other dental professionals. I have had this thought before - it's not a new idea - but now I'm at a point where I'm closer. I'm closer to actually being able to do something like this.

I was sitting next to the women I mentioned above (by random chance). I casually asked her how she got started or got involved in teaching CE courses. She looked at me and said, "I think it's that you have something to talk about." A simple reply. However, it is something which seemed so much more significant to me. You have something to talk about. I have a LOT of things I want to talk about. I have so many thoughts and ideas burning, churning inside of me all the time. I am almost dying to let those ideas OUT. I told her that. I told her I want to teach courses. I want to be an educator. She could have ignored me. She could have brushed me off or simply given me some sort of fake encouragement. Instead, she said, "Okay. Tell me your ideas." I gave her one idea I had. She gave me feedback on it, and then simply said, "Okay. Tell me another." She drilled me like this for awhile. I will admit, I was a little overwhelmed and a bit shaken. However, I gave her and idea which she responded to positively and told me it was a marketable idea I should pursue. I can't explain to you how it felt to have this minor validation. A woman of her background and experience thought I had a good idea worth pursuing. Mind. Blown.

I discussed this with Kristy at length. She knows of my ambition, but I felt like I needed another person's opinion of the discussion I had had. From Kristy I received one of the best compliments I have ever gotten. She told me she believed even before we were friends that I had a special gift for communication, especially when it came to dental hygiene and communicating with others. She told me she thought I would make a wonderful educator and encouraged me to pursue it.

Needless to say, there were moments throughout the rest of the conference where I was a bit lost in thought. My drive home was quiet as I was wrapped up in ideas and thoughts. As I said earlier, after attending a conference you leave feeling pumped up about your career. I am definitely feeling this way right now. I'm also feeling... clarity, I suppose. I feel like I have found something I want to pursue. I know something I want to do in the future. At the moment I feel I am still unsure how I'm going to get where I want to be. I don't really know how to make things happen for myself.

But.

I've got something to talk about.