LESSONS FROM MY BRACE FACE!

My whole life I have needed braces, and this year I was so  excited to finally get them!   Having a severely open bite has provided me with some unique challenges that I have learned to live with for the last 45 years.  But now my mouth is changing, and I couldn't be more happy about it...well, most of the time! Here are some lessons I have learned from being a "Brace Face":

1. Change is slow, uncomfortable, and sometimes not very pretty! When I got my braces on, my mouth was so sore.  The new metal and hardware, the ache in my teeth from them being put under pressure to move.  And I felt like everyone could see my braces like neon lights flashing!  And wearing them for 2 years seemed like so long.  Isn't this how we feel when we step out of our comfort zone and work on making big changes in our lives?  Isn't it uncomfortable trying to change something that has been the same way for sooo long?  And doesn't it feel like everyone can see how much of a struggle we are in?  But actually, probably no one is noticing, and the time will pass quickly, and being uncomfortable is the best way to appreciate what we have to look forward to...the greater outcome we are working toward!

2.  Change takes extra work, but the outcome is so worth it!  Yes, eating is harder, talking is harder, brushing and flossing my teeth takes so long, but keeping in mind how great my bite will be when the process is over far overrides the discomfort!  When we are working hard toward a goal, or a big change in our lives, keep the end in mind!  Nothing worthwhile ever came easy.  We can't get stronger doing easy things.  It will TOTALLY be worth all of the extra work!

3. No pain, no gain!  I often get sores inside my mouth from the metal rubbing against the inside of my lips and cheeks.  But what I discovered, is that if I leave them alone, that a calaus will form and the pain will lessen!  When we allow ourselves to feel the negative emotions that often come with making changes in our lives, those feelings pass more quickly, and we gain strength and momentum!

4.  Regular check ups are important for staying in alignment!  Just like I have a regular appointment to adjust my wires and check my progress, when we make it a priority to check in with ourselves to evaluate how we are doing, it will be much easier to stay on track.   When we notice a need for a course correction and take action, we will be more successful in reaching our goal.  This requires being really honest with ourselves, and giving ourselves some grace when we fall...to get back up and try again!

5. Gratitude makes all the difference!  Even though my braces are uncomfortable, unattractive, and annoying...I am SO GRATEFUL to have them.  My mouth is changing ever so slowly, but just knowing that it is happening brings me a lot of joy!  When I think of the outcome at the end, it is totally worth the struggle now!  When we focus on the outcome we are working toward and can be grateful for the whole experience, even the discomfort, we can find joy in the process and arrive at our desired outcome with a deepened appreciation of what we are capable of!

So the next time you see someone in braces (especially an adult!), give them a smile, and let it remind you of the beauty and value of transformation, even with the painful parts, and that it will totally all be worth it!