Life is Fast—Slow Down And Enjoy The Small Things
My Contribution To What Those Before Me Built—To What Those After Me Will Continue To Build Upon
Life can be chaotic at times. We’re (I’m) always worried about things that we (I) have no control over.
As I scrolled through the recent works of art (at least to me they are) I’ve created, stress and anxiety started to overtake me.
Which one should I post?
Will they like it?!?
What will they thin. . .
Then I came across a true work of art.
Yet, I didn’t create this one. My barber did.
Why This Is True Art — In My Opinion
My barber always does a good job. That’s why I go to him! But, every now and then, (anyone who loves going to the barber shop like I do will understand this), you can just feel it when your barber is in the zone.
You keep utterly quiet. It’s unthinkable to even move a muscle once you realize your barber entered The Zone.
The loud laughter and conversations you normally hear in the background of every barber shop stops immediately.
The silence is profound—(as one, we all know what is happening)—therefore no one asks how long until a chair opens up.
You don’t dare interrupt this sacred process.
—For you know that your barber is in the process of creating a masterpiece on your head.
I know people who have lost jobs, shown up late to weddings, and missed flights due to this phenomena.
I once heard of a man who missed the birth of his daughter, all because of his barber entered the Zen State.
The mother fully understood once he walked into the ER room.
No explanation was necessary.
I cut hair as well (not professionally—mostly on friends—I’m no true barber yet) so I know how it feels to enter The Zone: —A zen-like state of mind where time cease to exist and it’s just you, your tools, and the canvas. . .
Your doing a bald fade. Everything is going perfect.
Except. . .
The line in your clients’ (Canvas’) head, where the 0 meets the number 1 (or half inch), is being stubborn.
It refuses to blend in, no matter what you throw at it
—Comb over blade won’t work. So it’s back to the Zero-Gapped 5-Star Wahl Detailers
(dangerous at this point, because if you apply too much pressure with these, then you’ll just keep moving that line up higher, and higher, and. . .)
shit!
You moved the line up
Now you got a new line. Can’t mess up this time—it’s my (our) last chance.
So you switch back to blending in the new line, there’s nothing for it except to keep moving foreword. You adjust the lever on your Wahl Seniors ever so slightly as you work out the line.
With a Doctors precision you cut. The Clippers are a feather in your hand.
You handle them as if they’re made of glass, just how you were taught.
“Never hold them to hard, just let em’ rest in your hand as you guide where they go.”
That voice in your head repeats. The voice of the master barber who took you under his wing when you were only 14 years old.
“then you scoop and flick, at just the right angle, always brushing away excess hair as you work.”
You enter a trance. Flick, scoop, brush, repeat.
Your bloods pumping now. You see the end result, even if no one else does.
It’s time to pull out all the stops, no holding back. You grab the brand new Andis Masters, coupled with the brand new Purple Nano Guards that just came in the other day.
(the absolute best in class for razor tight fades)
These aren’t ordinarily Clippers. They’re precise, sharp, immaculate. You must be careful with these, if you apply too much pressure, even just a tiny amount, that line is moving up again. This time though, you won’t be able to save it.
You won’t mess up—not while you’re in The Zone.
After what feels like hours, like your body just ran a marathon, it’s done. . .
Your barber steps back and does that awkward thing where he/she stands in front of you, leaning slightly to the left then the right.
While shifting from side to side, looking at you with that intense gaze, probing for any imperfections, you start to sweat. . .
Then they pull out the powder and brush. Clean up your neck, hit you with the straight Razer, apply the after shave and grab the mirror.
The barber shows you the back with the mirror. The sides, everything. But then. . .
And this is when you know that he/she just performed a true work of art. One there proud of.
Before they take the barber cape off you and use the blow dryer to get the excess hair off your shirt and neck, they ask you if they can take a picture of your haircut for their portfolio.
I wonder why they ask at times. “Can I take a picture of your haircut?”
Barbers are the only artists in the world, that when they finish their work of art, they immediately give it away. They have to ask permission simply to get a picture of it.
That’s what true art is. You create it for others, not yourself.
I was entertained! I sometimes cut my friend's hair back in college day as they can't afford the salon, and sometimes I did some mistake but easily cover it up as it's an art, nothing wrong in art ever 😄 I never cut male hairs though, I think its harder than cut female hair as you can't improvise much if you did something too much 😅
If you managed to cut a female's hair and they were happy enough to not yell or cry, and other's still came to you, then you have a natural talent for it, believe it or not.
I couldn't do what you did; not at all.
I tried once. The poor girl was devastated by the BOB Cut I have her. . .
But trust me, the specific haircut I spoke of in this post is difficult. Normally men's hair if far easier to cut than women's. You deserve more credit than you give yourself.
Plus, like you said, it's art so it can't go wrong. You just add to it.
Anyway, thanks for reading it and taking the time to comment. It means a lot to know that at least someone enjoys it.
I need to come and check out some of your writing and posts.
In fact, I think I'll do that now!