Haircut

"You need a haircut!  That's all you need!"  That's what right-wing Alabama Governor George Wallace used to yell to anti-war protestors who heckled him when he ran for President.  It's funny how I forget so many relatively important things, like my bankcard PIN numbers, or where the clutch is on my motorcycle, but remember so much trivia.  Anyway, Governor Wallace's snarling drawl had been ringing in my ears ever since I arrived in India.  So yesterday I finally dragged myself to the 30 rupee barbershop off Contour road.

I had been planning to take my local friend Sree with me to tell the barber what I wanted done.  But Sree was unavailable.  I decided just to get it done.  I drove to the shop and pulled open the curtain in front of the door.  There was an empty barber chair waiting for me.  I started to use my fingers to try to explain to the barber, then just gave up.  Instead, I said "I need a haircut. That's all I need."  He gave me a haircut.  It was good.

It was one of those learning opportunities.  I learned to just let go of trying to control something as insignificant as the outcome of a haircut.  A feeling of peace washed over me as I sank back into the chair and gave myself over to the barber.  Now I'm looking forward to letting go of some other things. 

Comments

[lulu]

Hey Russell! Kudos on the haircut. I watched the Bob Dylan documentary last night and was impressed when Bob went on and on about old people not having hair and he was happy he had hair. Hair was big then. George Wallace can kiss my ass, but I'm glad you are so unattatched to getting it 'right'. Harder for us gals, but still a worthy practice. Keep on writing.
love
lulu