go for floss

Jeff Foxworthy makes people laugh with this joke, but I think it’s true with a good majority of the people I know. The sketch goes something like this:
Dentist: Whoa- when was the last time you flossed.
Patient: When YOU did it!
Flossing is one of habits that’s so good and healthy for you. Like eating green vegetables, reading a poem, taking a walk, and playing with your dog. Of course, it’s not life and death, but my day seems all that more complete and accomplished with a thorough flossing. And yet, as Jeff Foxworthy noticed, such intentions rarely become realities…until of course it’s too late to hide your laziness. Flossing has always been a dreaded chore like dusting or cleaning the toilets. I’d just rather let things collect until it’s really obvious. And in all cases, I’m the worse off for it as you might well imagine. Poor Precious Moments figurines…

I did find, however, that a firm commitment to stick to this habit has made all the difference. Ever since my last appointment, I’ve expired several cases of mint floss- yes on my teeth. So I know it’s possible. And as I said before, this activity brings me a great deal of achievement.

Let me take the analogy to another arena or even smaller- a gym. Think about pull-ups. They are probably the worst exercise ever realized. Nothing is more humbling than hanging from a bar, knowing you can’t even lift yourself once to chin height. Pull-ups seems like they should be easy and insignificant in life. Both adjectives are incorrect, though. Pull-ups are quite difficult especially after a long hiatus (a couple decades from grade-school gym class), and they can signify the amount of self-discipline one possesses. For a long time, I could not do one by myself. When I started track in college, I had partners give me boosts just so I could finish the work-out. I was less than thrilled by my dependence on their help, but as I continued to do them, I grew stronger and gained an appreciation for the exercise. Eventually, I could do 40 by myself without a problem. (I won’t say what I can do now…) I actually love pull-ups now, and even though I’m far weaker than a few years ago, I know the process and the reward at the end of it.
Just like flossing takes time to build as a habit, it’s worth the process in the end for healthy gums and white teeth, hold the spinach.

So what am I saying? I’ve missed this place. This place of writing. This place of thinking. This place of reflecting. At points the effort was a chore due to time requirements or lack of profound insights (still lacking). But over with the summertime, I formed habits that drove me to come back today, even after a lengthy pause. I enjoy the process and sharing the product.

Plus, this little thought relates so well to what happening now in life, it’s a bit hard to grasp and believe. Tomorrow we begin teching for Journey of Hope in Concert in Wenatchee, WA. This is a process if there was. Over the next few days, we'll bring all the elements of a stage production together before opening night. There are sure to be moments of complete chaos and frantic frenzy. Repeating a costume change or song and dance 23 times might be kin to mopping. But I’m also sure that the process will make the product oh so enjoyable. I can’t wait. I might floss in the morning just to remind myself of the benefits of the process.