Family Dental Care Park Ridge

Howdy pardners….yep, it’s true! We’re back in the saddle again.

Most of you that know me, know that I almost always have a song playing in my head and this past week, as we accelerate the work at the new space, the song that is happily playing in there is Gene Autry’s Back in the Saddle Again. Because, that’s how it feels. After pumping those brakes and readjusting our focus, we are really chomping at the bit to get our doors open to you, our patient friends.

You and I can talk all day long about the lessons that we learn in patience.  In biding our time.  We can commiserate over unexpected challenges.

OR

We can celebrate the giddy feeling we get when we know life is good.

So, watch both of the video’s that I am sharing with you today…they are short and they are definitely sweet.

And remember, as always….we LOVE to make you smile!

It is felt that laughter plays a very important role in our emotional and physical health. Some of the effects of laughter are obvious.  But what about the more subtle effects.  I am such a fan of laughter that I wrote about it in a guest post over at my friend Al Smith’s blog , The CARE Movement, not too long ago.  If you click here, you can see what I said.  Today, though, I want to share with you some of the subtle and not so subtle effects of laughter.

• Contagious:  If you are going to spread something my way, please let it be laughter.  The contagious nature of laughter is something that I am pretty sure, most of us want to “catch”.  Sometimes we will join friends in laughter having no idea as to what we are laughing about…the laughter was just that contagious.  Pretty powerful!
• Tension Reducer:  In those uncomfortably tense situations that we find ourselves in occasionally, finding humor and evoking laughter can really offset the tension.  There is nothing like a little levity to diffuse a sticky situation.
• Endorphin Release: We know that the level of endorphin release increases with laughter and helps to create positive feelings that can even help in reducing responses to pain.
• Mood Enhancement: Laughter brings with it an overall sense of well being that works as a natural mood enhancer
• Immune Response:  Laughter is thought to be able to decrease the stress hormones and concomitantly increase the release of the  good immune cells which can decrease our chances of illness and increase our ability to heal.
• Increases Sense of Self:  Laughter is a unifier.  It can help you feel more relaxed socially and more able to be yourself.  It’s inherent tension reducing capability reduces the fear of being judged and allows more freedom of expression.

So, what can you do to increase the presence of laughter in your life?

• Surround yourself with positive people.
• Give yourself a laughter challenge and initiate the laughter yourself.
• Find activities that make you happy.
• Try to find the humor in situations.
• Be mindful of utilizing laughter therapy in your life.
• Take diligent care of your health.
• Be proactive in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

We are Family Dental Care Park Ridge can help bring smiles and laughter to your life.  As dentists that are experienced in cosmetic dentistry, we offer many options that will accentuate your beautiful smile so that when spontaneous laughter erupts, you are confident and proud of your teeth!  If you have concerns about the appearance of your teeth, give us a call and set up a time to meet with Dr. Carolyn Demas or Dr. Matt Demas.  They can work together with you to help make you feel good about your smile.

Remember, laughter definitely IS the best medicine!

And, as always…we LOVE making you smile!

Happy New Year!  May 2012 be a most amazing year filled with excitement, joy and success for each of you.

Angels

The word “angel“ is a Greek word meaning messenger.  The wings that angels wear are said to symbolize peace and love. Once again, Family Dental Care Park Ridge had an outpouring of generosity as we participated for a second year in the Angel Tree Program.  I’d like to think that each of you who so generously donated to help bring a smile to a child at Christmas this year are angels yourselves. You were indeed messengers of kindness….messengers of peace and love.   The joy that you brought to many children this year is priceless.  I am so honored to have patients that are so giving and so loving.  Thank you so very much.  As promised, a name was drawn randomly from the many participants this year to win a gift certificate for a dinner on Family Dental Care Park Ridge at one of the Wildfire Restaurants.  This years winner is Chris Collins.  Thank you Chris and all of the participants for making the Angel Tree Program such a huge success!!

Pinterest

Pinterest!!  Those of you who are familiar with Pinterest know, just by seeing that word that I am talking big time addiction.  Those of you who aren’t familiar with Pinterest, let me enlighten you! Pinterest is a new social networking site that is still in beta format and so, to participate you need an “invitation”.  Let me know if you would like an invitation and I will be happy to send one your way.  With Pinterest, you share your interests via photos…photos that you find on websites, photos that you find on online businesses, photos that you have taken…photos.  Within your own account on Pinterest (which is free BTW) you create boards that will organize your favorite “stuff”.  So, for example, you can create a board that you call Trees and you can share images of trees that you have found online or that you have taken yourself.  Food seems to be a big favorite category on Pinterest so, say you love to bake…you can create a board that is called Favorite Cookies and you can post images of cookies that you love from online recipe sites or of cookies that you have photographed when you are baking.  For me, the organizing of my boards is the most challenging but I am catching on.  One of my friends, Brankica Underwood wrote a fabulous article about Pinterest that really explains it so much better than I have here so you might want to take a look here at her post.  My Pinterest page can be found here if you want to see what I find fun and interesting.

Patience

Patience is a virtue…or so they say.  The vision that is our new office is still crystal clear and standing there right in front of us.  I am leery of making another projected opening date because I don’t want to disappoint people again and so, I have a projected goal.  The projected goal for the opening of the new office is… very early Spring…how’s that for vague?  We are now referring to our exciting project as a fabulous work in process.  We are constantly in the conversation of “life in the new office”.  We want you to be in the conversation of “life in the new office” as well.  Do you have suggestions as to what you want to see?  If you were to design the perfect dental office, what would you include?

Share with us!  Let us know!  We really love your suggestions and ideas!  See the comment box below?  Don’t let it feel neglected….use it!  AND….see the “email” tab up there on the tool bar?  I’d love it if you signed up to receive our website posts!  Or, if you have any questions you’d like answered, click on the “contact us” tab and we’ll get right back to you!

And remember, as always…we LOVE making you smile!

I realize that Christmas is over and that the strains of Silent Night  have been all but stilled for now.  But, I am reminded of the beauty in silence.

Due to the unexpected need to pump our brakes, I have had the opportunity to step back a bit and to reflect.  The hyper-accelerated pace at which we were going in preparation for our new office space was preventing us from taking it all in.  This amazing adventure that Family Dental Care Park Ridge is on is something to behold and, in our haste and hyper-focus, we didn’t give ourselves the chance to just revel in the joy of this journey.  To stand back and appreciate all of the reasons that we are where we are today.  To be grateful for the patients that trust in us each and every day and who believe in our vision.  We needed a silent night.  I see that now.  It is, in fact, the value that was residing in this obstacle all along.  And, I am thankful for this temporary silence.

Because we’ve pumped the brakes, each of us at Family Dental Care Park Ridge was able to enjoy a more peaceful and relaxed Christmas.  Because we’ve pumped the brakes, each of us has spent needed time with each other to fine tune our journey.  Because we’ve pumped the brakes, we can stop and look at our new space with awe and wonder and really see what gifts we have laying before us.  We have been able to experience gratitude in the silence.

It has been a wonderful Christmas holiday for all of us at Family Dental Care Park Ridge.  I hope each of you were able to put your lives quietly on hold for a few days and celebrate the joy of a silent night.

And we extend our wishes to each of you for a New Year filled with happiness, adventure, possibility and peace.

And, finally, as always….we LOVE making you smile!

So, picture this.  You’re driving along on a beautiful road with gorgeous scenery as far as the eye can see.  You’ve got your GPS programmed for the correct destination.  Fine music fills the air.   You are hitting all of the curves with confidence.  The tires on your car are virtually humming on the pavement.  You are thinking that it really doesn’t get any better than this.  All of a sudden, you see an unexpected road block up ahead.  It appears with no warning…there have been no signs to give you the heads-up regarding any potential bumps in the road.  You have to think fast.  Your reflexes need to be sharp and accurate.  Your adrenaline rushes with a mixture of fear and anticipation. You begin by pumping the brakes.  Because, in this situation, that is all that you can do.  Just pump the brakes.

This is the scenario that Family Dental Care Park Ridge has had to face this week.  The effortless ride on the smooth road that we were on as we created the space for the new home of Family Dental Care Park Ridge was abruptly interrupted by an unexpected large bump in the road and…we are pumping the brakes.  Gently and firmly. But never once, not even for a second, are we taking our eyes off of the road ahead…off of our final destination.  Hands firmly on the steering wheel, we have slowed our speed down a bit.  But we are not stopping.

So, instead of a January 4th opening date at our new office, we will pump the brakes and coast into a date a little further down the road…a “yet to be determined” date, if you will.  One that will allow us to smooth out the bump in the road without coming to a halt.  A mere hiccup.  An inconsequential blip.

And, you know what?  In a weird way, we think that the outcome will be more fabulous…certainly more appreciated…and, definitely more anticipated.

And, on that note, I leave you with one of my all time favorite Carly Simon songs…..enjoy!

Yup!  You read correctly.  Angels and toothbrushes!

First let’s talk angels.

Family Dental Care Park Ridge is proud to be sponsoring the Angel Tree Program again this year.  We have our “tree” hanging in our office with tags that represent children of various ages and genders who are in need of your help to bring holiday smiles to their faces.  It is an opportunity for you to help bring joy to children that sometimes lead joyless lives.  Last year, our Angel Tree program was incredibly successful…we were humbled by your generosity.  We hope to have the same results, or even better (as if that’s possible) this year.  And, to thank you for your generosity, once again we are putting all of the names of the people who donate a gift into a drawing and the winner will receive a Gift Card to Wildfire Restaurant!  The drawing will be held after the holiday and once we are settled into our new office!! So, stop by our office and grab an angel tag from our tree….help to make this holiday season merry and bright for some deserving child!

And now…toothbrushes!

In the spirit of this season of giving, Family Dental Care Park Ridge is offering an incredible special on the OralB Triumph Electric Toothbrush with SmartGuide.  When you find them in the store, they usually go for $169.  At our office, we sell them for a very low $115.  BUT, for the week of December 12 -18, you can get the OralB Triumph Electric Toothbrush with SmartGuide for a ridiculously awesome $99!! Just for that week only.  This is a perfect gift for your loved ones and friends.  It is a perfect gift to yourself.  It is a perfect gift to have on hand for those unexpected times that you need a gift for someone.  It is a perfect gift for your college bound student. It is a perfect gift for newlyweds.  Let’s face it.  It’s just a perfect gift.  You can call the office to pre-order your toothbrushes today (847.692.6800) OR you can stop by our office next week and pick up as many as you need.  We’re pretty excited about this offer since we are always encouraging our patients to try the Triumph.  Once you do, you’ll never look back!

Angels and toothbrushes…see??

And remember, as always….we LOVE making you smile!

Have you ever experienced that sensation where every part of you is ultra-focused, buzzing and in hyper-drive? It is an odd feeling…pleasant and yet uncomfortable at the same time. There is not a moment in the day that I am not thinking and planning for the big move to the new and amazing office space of  Family Dental Care Park Ridge. I even dream about the space. Two nights ago, I dreamed that I was at the new building and I was going to show someone the new office but I kept going into the wrong office suites…and then when I finally did find the right suite, it was unfinished and raw. Arrrgghhh….what a nightmare!!

I’m a list maker, slightly obsessive-compulsive and a worrier. So, you can imagine, my life right now is filled with list making and completing, frantic attempts at maintaining organization (read control) and quelling fears. So, how do I manage to keep moving forward without tearing my increasingly silver hair from my head? I have found some really wonderful friends here in the blog-o-sphere. People who are talented writers with insightful and provocative ideas shared in such a way as to inspire and motivate. I have many favorites that I turn to when I am feeling overwhelmed but I will share three blogs that really help me to stay centered and grounded. Blogs that increase my mindfulness and help me to put things into perspective.

The first blog is Life, For Instance written by Lori Gosselin. As is true for so many of my favorite blog sites, I am not even sure how I originally connected with Lori. Suffice it to say, her blog and her friendship have become a gift for me. Lori is an insightful, compassionate and delightful woman who seems to have boundless energy. Since the onset of our friendship, we have Skyped and “hung out” on Google+ and I always come away feeling inspired and energized! AND, Lori is an author of a most wonderful book called The Happy Place, one of the best reads that I have experienced in quite a while.

Another one of my favorite go-to blogs when I am in need of re-focusing is Meant to be Happy written by Ken Wert.  Ken is an amazing writer with the ability to parse out feelings and emotions in such a way as to allow the reader to re-visit these emotions with new eyes.  He is able to gently suggest new ways of looking at things, doing things and experiencing life so that in the end, we can create our own happiness.  The community that Ken has nurtured is intelligent, compelling and inviting.  As with Lori, I am not sure exactly how I “met” Ken, but, I am very glad that I did!

And, last, but definitely not least is my newest “friend”, Melody Fletcher who writes at The Deliberate Receiving blog.  Melody exudes positive energy.  She shares insight as to how we can make our lives work in a more positive way for ourselves.  She reminds us to be aware of what our bodies are telling us…to be mindful of our inner voices.  When you visit Melody’s blog, you can almost feel the energy and enthusiasm jump out from her words.  I always gain some new and helpful insight when I stop by Melody’s place!

I am grateful for my cyber friendship with Lori Gosselin, Ken Wert and Melody Fletcher. They may not even know how much of a role that they have played in my ability to move forward with positive feelings and good energy to keep my vision right in front of me at all times.  I encourage you to take some time to visit these three fabulous people’s online home.  And, I also encourage you to take part in the “conversations” on their sites by sharing your comments.  All three of these wonderful people make you feel welcome and cared for as do the communities that they have created.

These are just three of so many wonderful places that I have found here that encourage, motivate, inspire and inform.  During this incredibly busy time of creating the new office space for Family Dental Care Park Ridge, it has become more important than ever to take time to revitalize and refocus.

How do you keep yourself going and moving forward?  Do you have favorite blogs that help you?

I’m there almost everyday watching the progress. And because I know all of the hard work that is going into this most amazing project, I notice every detail…every accomplishment…and I am thrilled.

I took my camera with me yesterday so that I could share with you just how far we’ve come…and how much more we have to do!! And, already today, it looks different from what you’ll see on this video. So, go ahead…take a peek. See what we have been up to. Feel the glory as we keep moving forward so that come January of 2012, we will be able to open the doors to Family Dental Care Park Ridge’s new home. We couldn’t be more excited!

If you have any questions about our move or about your dental care, please call us at 847.692.6800 or email us at info@ParkRidgeDDS.com We are always happy to help you.

You know how when you have a vision…a dream…and it stays just at that stage for awhile? Sometimes for a long while?

And then, something happens and you just know that it’s time to make your vision a reality?

So, you begin. Tentatively at first. Getting all of your ducks in a row. Testing out the water. One small step at a time.

And then, quite suddenly, you find yourself at that tipping point. That point of no return. The point where there is no turning back.

That magical point when you know that your dream is becoming a reality.

That’s where we are now….

And we couldn’t be more excited!