Bent bristles

“Put the toothbrush down. Now slowly step away from the sink ... and no sudden moves!”

I hear the no-nonsense commands blaring as if from a police megaphone ... but they are really streaming through my own mind. You see, I've just noticed the bent bristles on my toothbrush ... again. I have a habit of enthusiastic brushing, one that's caused little pin-prick sized holes in my teeth's enamel. My dentist has threatened to take away my toothbrush.

“But, officer, there's been a mistake,” I want to say.

I've already switched to a softer bristle. Now I'm being pressured to go electric, but I'm hesitant to make the change. The switch would be such a little thing, really ... a quite insignificant act in the scheme of anyone's life. Except that my oral hygiene routine sets the tone of my whole day.

Slowly I set the weapon down and step back. 

I didn't realize that I had a morning routine until I got defensive over dental care. Until I realized that this is where I brush off the problems of yesterday and become invigorated over the prospect of a new day. But not all routines are healthy, especially when taken to extremes, and having stepped back from the foam-spattered sink, I now notice the tell-tale dull ache in my mouth.

It's a shame that I don't carry this intensity over to other chores; my front entry could really use a good scrubbing. No matter. I decide here and now to go electric with my brushing. After all, I don't want to completely whittle away this dazzling smile.

“M'am, we'll consider this a warning. But if there's any more trouble ...”

The warning is clear ... and there won't be a next time. I'm on the straight and narrow now. I have no desire to be hauled in before the dentist for another six months.

Is there any mundane matter you get carried away with?  How do you put an end to bad habits?