Over the last 9 years that I've been a hairdresser I've had a ritual of letting go. I collect hair for Locks of Love or Pantene Great Lengths and when I need to change the energy in my life I mail all the hair off to one of these organizations. I've mailed the hair when I've had an unhappy or difficult client, when I'm trying to deal with a break up, especially trying to heal after my divorce, there were many shipments as I made baby steps in healing. I sent a bundle when I moved from Portland to La Jolla...I use it to let go.. I use it to move forward...
I feel like hair holds energy. If hair grows on average 1/2 an inch/month that's only about 6 inches a year.
Locks of Love requires 10 inches for the wigs it makes for children.
Pantene Beautiful Lengths requires 8 inches for the wigs it makes for adults. That means the hair that has been cut off has been through all of life's ups and downs for a year, usually more like 3 years. I find people donate when it is a time for them to let go or transition into a new phase in their lives. I see it especially around the time of a new baby, after a wedding, career transition, helping a friend through cancer, transitioning into first adult job, graduating college, and some people do this in cycles every few years getting the big cut. It's freeing to shed this hair. It's scary to give away what can be a cover we hide behind. Hair is very powerful..In the Bible when Delilah cuts Samson's hair he became powerless. When people cut their dreads some believe there is a shift in energy.
This time I don't feel like I am letting go, but rather I am embracing this new chapter in my life. I have found a place to live that feels like where I am supposed to be. Sunny, warm but not hot, by the ocean and by rocks, with people who live active full lives, and I'm building community in my new home. The transition of moving is always hard, but feeling like this is where I belong and that I'm at the beginning of something wonderful is a very good feeling. I don't have all the answers or know exactly where I will be, but I love being a hairdresser and I love San Diego. I'm happy to be on this path seeing where it will go.
much love to
my mom and dad
my sisters who are always a phone call away
my cousin Clara who's hair is in this shipment
my roommate Ricky who's hair is in this shipment
my friend Cristine
my bff's Jessica Cochran and Christine Eggers
my new friends Kori, Kelly, and Ann
and all the people who have supported and shaped my life along the way
