Sticks and Stones

Have you ever had a conversation with someone who wasn’t as skilled in the art of ‘tact’ as you would prefer, or as gentle in their verbal deliveries while offering constructive criticism or a personal observation?

I’ll admit up front that I’m of the sensitive nature, but every now and again, someone will say something that I find difficult to shake. Quite frankly, this is more likely due to the fact that I’m of the slightly vain nature as well, and if their comments are regarding my appearance…all the longer they will linger.

Their ill prepared and thoughtless statements enter my brain through the auditory canal, permeating the sensitive sector of grey matter that controls confidence and self esteem. The words reverberate, banging around inside of my mind until they are wedged tightly into my thought processes.

While I was at the Dentist yesterday, my dentist casually mentioned “You know Suzanne, not only is your jaw a bit crooked, but it throws off the whole symmetry of your face! in fact….your face is crooked , and look…so are your ears. Have you noticed that before?”

“Well…” I said slowly crouching down into the dental chair, … “I guess my sunglasses do hang a tad lower on this side of my nose now that you mention it, but I just figured it was because I only paid a dollar for them at the Dollar General. I… I hadn’t really noticed it at all until you just pointed it out Doc….um…thanks,…for, uh,
bringing it to my attention.”

I mean, dang! I realize he is a professional and probably making reference to the symmetry of my jaw alignment, but now, thanks to his lack of tact, I’ve got a new item to add to my list of insecurities. Yipee!!!

He further tried to explain how everything is connected in anatomy…
The jaw bone’s connected to the…neck bone.
The neck bone’s connected to the….shoulder bone.
The shoulder bone’s connected to the….next bone.

When one thing is out of alignment, everything is out of alignment.

I’m convinced I walked in their perfectly straight but when I left, I was limping and dragging my foot behind me.

Sticks and stones may break my bones….but sometimes, I swear words can haunt me.