The Haircut
Self aware or not?
The other day, while at a lively kids' play place, I noticed a young boy walk in, his face beaming excitedly. He had a fresh haircut, those sharp, confidence boosting trims that made him feel like a brand new person. The joy in his eyes was undeniable as he eagerly ran up to his friends, brimming with enthusiasm, ready to share his excitement.
However, within moments, everything changed. Instead of sharing his joy, one of his friends teased him. The shift was immediate, his once bright smile faded, his shoulders slumped, and his excitement drained away like air escaping from a balloon. His entire demeanour darkened in an instant. Frustrated and visibly upset, he rushed to his mother, his voice laced with disappointment as he exclaimed, "I told you this was not cool!" His frustration grew so intense that even the play place’s patron had to step in to console him.
As I watched the scene unfold, I couldn't help but reflect on how often we, too, experience moments like this in our own lives. How often have we stepped into a space, excited about something that makes us feel good, only for someone's words or reactions to shake our confidence? How often do we allow the opinions of others to dull our light and make us question the beauty we once saw in ourselves?
It was a simple, fleeting moment, but it held a profound lesson. How we perceive ourselves should not be dictated by how others see us. True confidence comes from within, and learning to hold onto that despite the world's noise may be one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves.
