A Good Hair Day

The other day I was feeling kind of stuck. Emotionally drained. Frustrated by a cyclical pattern of not seeing the results I had hoped for upon taking action I thought would create some movement. You know: “The Blahs”. They happen. And they don’t feel so great.

I decided to grab my dog, Griff, and hop in the car to change my location and hopefully change my mood. A walk through the Autumn colours at a local park usually does the trick, but post-hike I was still spinning internally, stuck in my own head and unable to let go of my gloom. Realizing I hadn’t eaten much (often a factor!) I decided to treat myself to my local IKEA and my guilty pleasure of Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes with too much gravy and an extra serving of Lingonberry compote on the side.

At checkout I was served by a woman whose face had become familiar to me over time and we smiled to each other. On this day I noticed her hair colour was extra vibrant: the shade of Burgundy she was usually fond of now leaned toward an enthusiastic Fuchsia. This was a bit of a daring leap for a woman of her age and when I told her how great I thought it looked, she lit up with a mixed sense of joy and relief.

“Really?” she exclaimed, “You like it! I did it myself and wasn’t sure if it works on me. It’s such a bold colour!”

As I continued to compliment her on her new look and remarked on how well the colour suited her energy and personality, I could feel my own mood shift and the heaviness I had been feeling all day begin to lighten. We laughed and talked a bit longer and I payed my bill.

I headed with my tray to a seat by the window and marvelled to myself at how great I now felt. I had completely forgotten about my own perceived woes of the day and become swept up in the happiness my small noticing and acknowledgement had brought about in another. My own mood had unexpectedly improved. I suddenly felt what I had been unsuccessfully chasing after earlier in the day: capable and valued, seen and appreciated. An integral part of the fabric of the world around me. All this from acknowledging someone else for a brief moment in my day. It was such an easy act. Such a simple and honest gesture that contained a heartfelt experience of connection.

What was it about this interaction that gave me such a boost, I wondered?

Maybe this: In that moment I had something to give that made a difference in someone else’s life.

And it felt amazing.

I’ve made a little pact with myself: I’m going to set out to notice those around me more often and offer a moment of kindness and appreciation here and there. It’s a little experiment I’m looking forward to trying at least once a day and I think that maybe, just maybe, I’m going to feel all the better for it.