Judith, I am going to reply with a literal translation starting with the teeth. Because of a long ago car accident I have bad teeth that have needed much work over the years but I didn’t realize how bad they were till I came to the US and dentists shook their heads . . . So much work later and feeling tired and worn out by it all I went for my regular clean. I could feel the ticking off coming from the ex Soviet hygienist, not flossing/rubber tipping enough etc but I was at the point where I had had enough and let her know that I was in no mood to be ticked off, not after all the recent surgery etc. I was there for her to clean my teeth and she could get on with her job but don’t even think of picking on me because I’m not going to put up with it – that Howard Beale moment of being as tired as hell and not going to take it anymore.
Having said all that (!) I know the time and energy I waste with that shadow telling me to do this or do that is best quieted by . . . . doing it and getting it out of the way which is easier when it comes to flossing etc but so so hard when it comes to more creative ventures. A fascinating topic indeed and so interesting to hear the whispering conversations.
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