Here's a little secret you might not now.
Everyone has problems. Money or no money. Developed country of Developing one. Religious or Atheist. Young, Old, or In-between. Everyone has problems and Everyone goes through difficult times
Some people pretend to have no problems. Some people may even make you believe they have no problems....but I'll call bullshit on that.
What's my current problem?
Well, I didn't get much sleep last night because my jaw was killing me where my tooth was extracted a week ago. The literature said I should be back to 100% after 7-10 days provided there was no Dry Socket or Infection.
Bright and early this morning I went to the dentist office and was given bad news. Dry Socket and my jaw was going to have bad pain for the next week or two. Really REALLY not what I was hoping for.
As a Pharmacist everyone wants a tablet that makes all the pain go away and makes them all better right now. As a Pharmacist I know that isn't going to happen. I know I'm going to hurt for the next week or two.
Now that's my problem and I certainly hope that it isn't yours. Luckily I do have some medication that will turn this pain from truly awful to just miserable and uncomfortable. However, there are additional techniques that can be used for all types of bad situations.
Please note: My mind is not as focused as usual because I'm in pain but I'll try to relay some information anyways.
First: Maintain a happy attitude.
I have two choices. Be happy and in pain. Or Be miserable and in pain. The choice is mine so I choose to try my very best to be happy even though its really difficult. Try to smile. Try to enjoy things. Try to be positive.
and sometimes....just sometimes I fool myself for a little while. Sure being miserable is easier but I can guarantee I'll get no little relief breaks if I'm miserable.
Second: Look at the bright side.
There are always blessings in our life. They may seem little but focusing on them can lesser the burden even if just a little bit.
For myself:
I have access to medication for the pain. It would be so much worse if I didn't have that.
I have access to a dentist who can assure me that this isn't forever and help me if things get infected or additional treatment is needed.
I have a family to support me and help me while I get better.
I have access to soft food, cool clean water, a soft bed to lie on and a TV with internet to watch for distraction.
I could keep on going and of course your list will be different. Sometimes it can be really hard to find something positive but even just trying to focus on the positive can alter your viewpoint and make a bad thing seem less crappy.
I brought up the TV and Internet because one of the best ways I've found to help with a bad situation is laughter. Watching a good stand-up comedian or silly movie can distract the brain, bring a bit of laughter, and almost always make people feel better....even if just for a little while.
One of the weird things about comedy is that it is very subjective. What is funny for me now may not be later. What is funny for me may not be funny for you. As times change what was funny before may be offensive now.
As an example:
This is the #1 movie on Netflix in Canada today. Extraction 2. Not funny, right? Except when I'm sitting down with a super sore jaw because of a tooth removal and this comes up as something to watch it is super funny.
Some wonderful comedians from previous era's brought laughter and joy to previous generations. Some of it has even spanned generations with one generation borrowing from the past.
Here is an example I'd like to show.
Consider this guy:
A line he was well known for was "If I said you had a beautiful body would you hold it against me?". Funny enough that it has been copied by many people since. However while he was popular in the 1980s that line was originally attributed to Graucho Marx who came up with it in the 1920s to 1940's.
Balding and cigar...using the same joke...hmm... 😁
Another quote that I had to snicker at from way way back in time was from Mae West.
The quote I liked:
"A good man is hard to find.....but a hard man is good to find"
If you don't get the joke, good for you for having a clean mind
Of course this was followed up with the line ...
"I'm very excited to do a show in a local prison. Performing in front of all those hardened criminals...ohhhh"
Some Very old jokes need a little retooling for today's audience. For example:
"Something which has never occurred since time immemorial; a young woman did not fart in her husband's lap."
Translated from cuneiform tablets over 4000 years old.
More modern comedy sketches would more likely relay it as "Girls...ever have to fart on a first day. You know you'll hold it for hours...women don't fart"... Now, when you are married...your husband knows that statement isn't true 🤣
Who's my favorite comedian?
Well, lots. However, if I had to choose one comedian I really enjoyed it would be this guy:
Source: Imdb
Or perhaps you have seen him like this:
Or perhaps from this scene? In Ace Ventura: Pet Detective?
Or course for the younger generation he'd more likely be associated with :
Dr. Robotnik from Sonic the Hedgehog.
If you still haven't figured out who it is I'd recommend you look up
Jim Carrey
He's well known for over the top, silly physical comedy and has an awful lot of fun movies to watch. He is also a standup comedian.
So, while I'm feeling crappy I'll be watching silly, stupid stuff to pass the time and maybe pass some of the pain away as well.
Side Note: I had to pick a Canadian comedian because I'm Canadian. If I was choosing an American actor...I'd probably go with Robin Williams ;)
Thanks for reading.