The day’s work was over and I closed down for the day. Stepping just outside the building that houses my clinic I could hear people murmuring something inaudible. The voices got a bit, more audible as I walked towards my new car. Oh, were they gossiping about me? Did they utter my name? They were discussing what a raw deal they had gotten when I appeared out of my clinic And I wasn’t so sure what they were up to. Of course they had a different topic every day for discussion. It was the faint mention of my name that day that alerted me. So was it me or something else that was being gossiped about?

Why were they discussing me? I was sure not up to any mischief. Most of my patients were contented with my treatment. And I asked myself which doctors have kept all patients contented? Not everyone, I answered my own question satisfactorily. Not everyone can be satisfied. But one must try his best. I have always done my best for my patients and been very transparent in my dealings. I also helped in community projects in any which way I could. What more do people expect? Which brought me back to my original troubling thought, why were people gossiping about me behind my back?

It wasn’t easy to fall asleep that night. I woke up early and dressed up for a dental conference. At the conference I interacted nicely with many professionally colleagues. Hi-fives, back slapping and all, yet when I was sitting by myself in a corner one doctor walked up to me and stated a conversation. On the surface it was routine small talk. As the conversation deepened, we got into discussing equipment and  techniques and dental materials I use. “But that is not the best material” He said indignantly. And what equipment did I use? “But that is not a safe machine to use”, “And what technique do you use”, “but that is an already an out dated technique, I know something better”. The mental rape continued for some time. Envy I told myself. This guy is suffering from envy. I wasn’t sure, but why does this guy start a conversation with me when I wasn’t interested? And why does he offer advice which I didn’t ask for?” May be he was really sincere. But his barrage of questions seemed to be too aggressive. There could have been many reasons; ENVY could be one of them. Mine is bigger and better than yours!

We are always surrounded by people. We never know what they really have in their mind. Some may be full of praise of our achievements. Some may be indifferent, yet some may be envious of us. Some may even be conniving to get back at you for some reason by doing revengeful acts. We may never know their minds. Yes, the envious kinds are quite successful in creating unfavorable situations for us. At times it makes us hate our work and our lives.

Then what is the single most important deterrent that stops us from going mad? Or for that matter going into chronic depression?

Our Goals, the aims, objectives and ultimate purpose for which we set our foot outside out house to practice our profession.

Our Goals stop us from getting entangled into needless brooding, anxiety, anger or any other self-destructive actions. Our Goals keep the meaning of our lives intact.Reassessing our purpose in life is a sure shot remedy for avoidable headaches. Have you assessed your goals by now?

Dr Sanjay Jamdade is a speaker on dental implants and is a visiting consultant with few prominent dental clinics in and around Mumbai for implants and oral rehabilitation. He is also the CEO of Dr Jamdade’s Dental clinic and Implant center since 23 years which is a practice devoted to aesthetic dentistry, microscope assisted endodontics, implants and oral rehabilitation situated near Tarapur Atomic Power Station at Boisar Tal Palghar Dist Thane near Mumbai, India, email: –sanjayjamdade@gmail.com

Disclaimer : The views expressed in this blog are solely the views of the author and need not reflect the views of DentistryUnited.com . For any clarification you can get in touch with the author directly at the address mentioned above.