Oh, No! I Need a New Barber
Three years ago a life changing experience created many personal challenges. I had to find a new barber. This thought nearly caused me to just shave my head.
I was devastated the day he told me he could no longer cut my hair. He had been cutting it since I was a baby. He was 90 years old. I tried to change his mind but to no avail so I let my impulsive self take over and I ask, “can I have your barber chair?”
His eyes twinkled mischievously, “sure you can have it and if any customers want their hair cut I’ll send them to you!” Just like that I lost my barber, obtained a barber chair, and got involved in the barber business.
Finding a new barber was frustrating. The first barber I tried cut my hair so fast I couldn’t even enjoy the humming of the clippers. The second never smiled or laughed at my jokes. My third attempt was scary because I went to my wife’s barber, which created an emotional fear but I ‘manned up’ and gave her a chance.
When I walked into this shop the first thing I did was to look for another man. There was not a single one in sight.
This experience turned out to be interesting. As I patiently sat and listened I learned more about women in that hour than in the previous 60 plus years of my life.
Some of the subjects I heard discussed were: potty training; cute husbands; vitamins; fertility problems; Christmas trees; and cow’s milk.
This haircut turned out to be stress free, educational, and fascinating. I found my new barber. She is young woman who will probably be around as long as I have hair.
I’m sure that my dad (the retired barber) is grateful that I found a replacement (Oops! I mean a competent barber. Of course no one could replace Dad!).
As I remembered this experience I thought of how important it is for parents to help their children accept and live with change.
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Anne's Corner
Notice how Cal and his father took experiences that in many ways were sad, painful, frustrating, irritating, uncomfortable, even intimidating, and found the humor in them. Try it yourself. Think of an experience that was difficult for you in some way. Can you find the funny side of the story? Sometimes it can help to exaggerate things a bit, like making it into a Seinfeld episode (or substitute your favorite comedian here). Now try it on a family story. Share your stories with your child. See if you can get your child to join in the fun and try one as well. Humor is a quality that all of us can develop. The more you try, the more easily it will come to you.
Anne's Corner
Notice how Cal and his father took experiences that in many ways were sad, painful, frustrating, irritating, uncomfortable, even intimidating, and found the humor in them. Try it yourself. Think of an experience that was difficult for you in some way. Can you find the funny side of the story? Sometimes it can help to exaggerate things a bit, like making it into a Seinfeld episode (or substitute your favorite comedian here). Now try it on a family story. Share your stories with your child. See if you can get your child to join in the fun and try one as well. Humor is a quality that all of us can develop. The more you try, the more easily it will come to you. 