Gratitude, Holidays, and Hair
I want to say “Thank You” to you for finding your way to continue helping other people to feel better during these unusual pandemic times. You’ve gone through a lot of hardship this year, dealing with the covid news, shutting down for a couple of months or more, wading through good clients and those that were not being careful, handling numerous cancelations, all while paying the rent and taking care of your family and your home. I consider you “essential” all the time – and especially now!
I especially want to thank the many therapists who purchased the discounted Ray of Light Training Online Courses and Bundles this year. The feedback on the courses has been amazing and heart-warming. I’d love to hear about your experience with the courses, if you’ve taken them – Direct-Indirect Technique (DIT), Cranial-Sacral Therapy (CST), or others.
Meanwhile, the pandemic has brought us more than our share of challenges this year. Yet there have also been some glimmering silver linings that arose from the chaos. Covid has forced many of us to change how we do things and to reconsider so many aspects of our lives. In what ways have you had to change your way of practicing and even living your life?
As for me, I haven’t had a haircut since March! (Fyi, this picture is from 20 years ago. My hair is a bit more gray now.) At first, I just didn’t feel like being in a place with a bunch of other people around. My wife received a harsh diagnosis in February (not covid), and with her vulnerability I didn’t want to take the risk of transmitting anything to her.
Over the months, cutting my hair just seemed like a very low priority, as we dealt with a long series of medical consultations, tests, and procedures, even during the shutdown. When I restarted working on clients a couple days a week, my focus was on making sure my clients were being extremely careful and on keeping myself clear of covid-19, common flu, or anything that would put my wife at risk.
Then in October I started having some neuropathy in my leg, resulting in intermittent sharp pain that made it very difficult to sleep or be productive at work. After several X-rays, MRIs, and a nerve conduction test, there is still not a definitive diagnosis or treatment plan. So, the year that started with medical overwhelm for my wife is ending with the same for me.
Clearly, the length of my hair has been a low priority. After more than nine months, I now look like a throwback to the 1970’s. It reminds me of the last time I let my hair grow long back in the early 2000’s. I waited to cut it until it was long enough to be accepted by Locks of Love, one of the organizations that takes hair donations in order to make wigs for people who have lost their hair during chemotherapy.
I found out recently that there are a lot of organizations taking hair donations, making them into wigs, and giving them away free to children and adults who have gone through chemotherapy or have other reasons why they’ve lost their hair. In addition to Locks of Love, there are Wigs and Wishes, Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids, Pink Heart Funds, and others.
These organizations have enjoyed a massive increase in hair donations, as so many people have stayed home much of this year, not bothering to cut their hair as often as usual. The pandemic has increased the number of hair contributions dramatically.
This is a perfect example of a silver lining in the midst of dark clouds. So many kids and adults now have better self-esteem with their beautiful hair donated by people like you and me.
This is, of course, just one example of how even a pandemic can produce lemonade from a multitude of lemons. I’ve seen many examples in my world – more time to focus on my music recording project (which is nearly complete!), more opportunities to get outside and enjoy nature, and more gratitude for the people in my life – like you.
What silver linings have you experienced during these pandemic times? Write a reply and let me know. I’m curious to hear how you and other therapists have been making lemonade from a multitude of lemons this year.
I wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family! I hope you are staying healthy, happy, and strong during these strange times. Here’s a link to learn more about the organizations above and the wonderful work that they’re doing. You can learn more about Locks of Love here.
Click here if you’re ready to get your CEUs and excellent training with our AR and NCBTMB Approved Online Courses. Or call me at 800-584-1562.
Stay well, stay safe, and stay in touch,
John
Ray of Light Training
Member of the Fascia Research Society
John J. Ray is a Board Approved Continuing Education Provider through the NCBTMB