It was gray and wet outside. The rain beats on the window pane demanding Sue's attention. Sue pulls the curtains back to reveal a soggy, gloomy day. "That's just great." She said. "How am I supposed to do a shoot outside today?" She throws the curtains back and plops on the bed. Grabbing her pillow and covering her face, Sue lets out the highest pitch scream her little frame could muster. Sue hated when her perfect schedule has been altered.
Her phone buzzes beside her, she reads the text that she was expecting.
"Can we reschedule?" Sue kindly responds,
"Sure." "Now what?" Sue asked. She was free until the evening.
She rolled her eyes. "I guess I could get ready for this date tonight."
"I doubt it's going to make a difference. They're all losers." She wonders if maybe she was being too picky and the problem finding Mr. Right was her fault. She dismisses the thought and heads to the bathroom.
A few hours later, Sue has managed to clean her apartment top to bottom. She alphabetized her pantry, books and CD collection. She was bored out of her mind and it didn't appear the rain was going to stop anytime soon. She needed to talk. She knows where to do. She grabbed her keys and headed out the door.
Sue pushed open the door to Mama K's the local hair salon setting off the welcome chime. The neighborhood thought of this salon a counselor's office. Mama K's advice was priceless. One client suggested she call the place Hairmojis because Mama K took care of hair and emotions. Mama K took them up on the idea and changed the name to Hairmojis. The place holds three chairs, three dryers, and three shampoo seats. In the lobby, there are stacks of hair books and magazines. The only music allowed in the salon is inspiration and gospel. Mama K says, "We must be careful about what we listen to. Don't allow everything into your ear because it can affect your mind. If it affects your mind, it will affect your actions, and if it affects your actions, it will affect your character, if it affects your character, it will affect your destiny." She demanded the atmosphere be positive. Most clients respected her rules. The ones that chose to challenge her were quickly reminded.Mama K had the respect and love from the community. They know she would do anything in her power to help them.
Sue is Mama K's faithful client she never missed an appointment every Tuesday at 9:00 sharp even though her appointment is set for 9:30. Sue is extremely disciplined and finds if disrespectful when her clients show up late. She lives by the golden rule;
"do unto others as you would have others do unto you."
The salon looks different. The same music was playing, the books and magazines are stacked neatly. Today seems different. Mama K had her back to the door.
"Come on in, I'll be with you in a moment." She said.
"Okay." Said Sue. She plops down on the couch and grabs a book. She mindless reads an article.
"Sue?" She slowly lowers her book and finds herself face to face with Mama K.
"Yes."
"Why are you here? It's Thurdsay."
" I know. I-."
" Is everything okay?"
" Yeah, sure."
" I thought you had a huge shoot today."
Sue points to the window.
"Oh, I see." She said. "What brings you in?"
" I have a date tonight."
" Do you think he'll be the one?"
" Who knows, who cares?"
" Are you giving up?"
"Might as well." Sue pouted. "It's hard to find a good man."
"You're a beautiful person inside and out. It will happen for you."
"Now you're just being nice."
"I'm telling the truth." Said Mama K.
Sue ran her hands through her staright, slick, ponytail. "Do you think I need to change my hair? Maybe that will help me catch a man."
Mama K gave Sue a long hard stare. Sue shifted nervously in her seat.
What is she looking at? Wondered Sue. Is there someting wrong with my hair? Please say something! Mama K smiled and walked to her chair. Sue got the hint and followed. She sat in the styling chair.
Mama K leaned into Sue's ear and wispered, "There's nothing wrong with your hair. There's something wrong with your self-image."
Butterflies flutteed in Sue's stomach and her pulpils grew wide.
"How'd you do that?"
"Do what?"
"How did you know what I was thinking?"
Mama K turned the chair so Sue was faceing the mirror.
"What do you see?" Asked Mama K.
"I see you and me looking in a mirror." Answered Sue.
Mama K stared into the mirror. "You're blessed with a talent that can see the beauty in everything. The images you capture are evidence of that. I wonder if you've ever taken the time to look for the beauty you pocess. I can tell you all day how attractive you are and that any man would be crazy not to want you. You're talented and add value to all the lives you touch. But it won't be as powerful as you telling yourself."
Sue lets out a sigh. "I'm not sure I can do that Mama K."
Mama K smiles softly and says, "Sure you can." She spins the chair around, and place her warm hand Sue's face. "If you can tell yourself negative things, you can tell yourself positive things. You choose what goes into your mind by the words you speak. Life and death are in the power of the tounge." She losens her ponytail and begins to brush Sue's hair.
Silence hangs in the air. Sue reaches for words to say but comes up empty. The words Mama K spoke gripped Sue's mind.
She drifts back to her date last week. The man was a gentlmen. What was his name? He was in good shape, perfect teeth with a smile that could melt a glaicer. Why didn't she go for him. That's right, his shoes. She didn't like his shoes! What was she afraid of? Would they like the real me? Do I like me?
Through her lense, Sue saw perfection. She was a professional photographer all of her clients were was picture perfect. From the families with the matching sweaters and flawless hair to the impeccable babies, super models, blissful teens, and stacked body builders. They were always perfect! Sue failed to realize was that what she captured was only a snippet of excellence. A reality modifided to create the illusion of accomplishment.
Mama K had said something but Sue was caught up in her thoughts. "Do you unerstand?" Asked Mama K.
Sue was embarrased that she miss the question and too proud ask Mama K to repeat it.
"Yes I understand." Said Sue.
Mama K laughed so hard that Sue was startled.
"You didn't hear a word I said." She chuckled.
"I'm sorry, I was caught up in my thoughts." Sue's cheeks grew warm.
"Can you repeat the qestion?"
"I was saying, you know beauty. It's your profession to capture it. It's mine to create it. But when it comes to the inside, you create it, we capture it. Be careful how you present yourself. Changing your hair and not your self-image will not get you far. You have to see youself as the unique, beauty that you are. Don't wait for someone to tell you this. Know it and own it. The more you speak it the more you believe it and the more you believe it, the more you will act like it. Tonight, don't do the same thing you've been doing. Don't be afraid to let the gentlemen capture your true beauty for a change. Do you understand?"
"Yes." Sue answered.
The bell on the salon door chimed.
"That's my always late client. It's a good thing she was late, or else we wouldn't be having this conversation." "Have a seat, I'll be right with you." She said to her client.
Sue smiled and dug in her purse. She handed a twenty dollar bill to Mama K.
Mama K frowened. "What are you doing?"
"Paying you for your time." Sue answered.
Mama K pushed Sue's hand away.
"Keep it, we're just friends having a conversation."
"Thank you, Mama K."
Mama K smiled warmly. "Your very welcome. See you Tuesday."
"I won't be late." Sue said as she hoped out of the chair.
She opened the door and exited. The sun was shinning brightly. Sue smiled and headed home.
Lesson:
Sow a thought, and you reap an act;
Sow an act, and you reap a habit;
Sow a habit, and you reap a character;
Sow a character, and you reap a destiny.
Change isn't always easy, but it's possible.
What are you telling yourself?
Hair: Puff
Emotion: Calm
