A year of Sundays: 34th Sunday 8/24/25 - The Unseen Cost of Waiting

This week was a struggle. An issue with my gums persisted far longer than it should have. Despite discomfort and the urgings of my family and a doctor friend, I was determined to wait until September, when my new insurance would kick in. The fear of an unknown cost loomed larger than the physical pain. I imagined a bill of thousands of dollars, a financial burden that seemed insurmountable without insurance. It was only when I could no longer endure the discomfort that I finally relented and went to the dentist my son-in-law had recommended weeks ago.

The visit, to my great surprise and relief, was not the financial catastrophe I had built up in my mind. The cost for a simple, but necessary, procedure was a mere $70. The amount I had convinced myself would be a major financial setback turned out to be a minor investment in my well-being. This week's lesson was a stark reminder that sometimes we truly can be our own worst enemy. The stress and discomfort I endured for weeks were completely self-inflicted, born from a fear of a scenario that didn't exist.

This experience brought to mind a concept discussed in Brandon Royal’s book, The Little Blue Reasoning Book (2010), known as selective perception. My mind was so fixated on a worst-case financial scenario that it completely overlooked the simple, low-cost solution that was available all along. My selective perception ruled my days with unnecessary stress, blinding me to rational advice and a clear path to relief.

The stress I created was unnecessary, all because I allowed fear to dictate my actions instead of facts. My key takeaway this week is a simple yet profound truth: take care of yourself, and life will take care of you. It's a reminder that self-care—whether it's tending to a physical ailment or addressing a mental burden—is an investment that almost always pays off, regardless of the perceived cost. Prioritizing our well-being is often the most direct path to peace and prosperity.

References

Royal, B. (2010). The little blue reasoning book: 50 powerful principles for clear and effective thinking. Maven Publishing.