Finding resolution to feeling the weight of the world on my head

There are days when I feel that I have the weight of the world on my head.

Yes, I mean it...literally.

Six years ago, during chemotherapy, I experienced a lot of damage in nerves, including my hair follicles. This leads to sensitivity, soreness, and pain in my hair follicles and causes migraines. The weight of my own hair feels too much for my scalp. 

This is not a common side effect of the treatment and there isn't much that can be done about it. 

A few years ago, I was at my hairdresser's when I requested her to be gentle with my hair because I was in excruciating pain. I told her that my hair hurt. Of course, I saw a surprised look on her face. I mean...we hear people say that their head hurts but hair? That doesn't happen often, does it? 

I went on to explain to her what had happened and said that the weight of my hair feels too much and how it was painful.

She listened intently and said, "I could take some of that weight off'. 

"You can?" It was my turn to be surprised. I had mentioned my hurting hair follicles to every doctor and every hair dresser over the past 18 months but had little success.

"Yes". 

She cut my hair, reached for her thinning scissors and chipped into my hair. As the strands of snipped hair fell on my shoulders, I felt the weight lift off. The relief was instantaneous. 

What joy!

She was able to help me because she cared to listen. She was fully present as I explained to her what was going on. Also, instead of suggesting that we cut my hair really short because the weight was too much, she gave me an alternative. She understood that my hair was just growing back after chemo and that it was precious to me. 

As I sat at my hairdresser’s earlier today, I experienced the same relief as the thinning scissors chipped into my hair and took the bulk and the weight away. By the time I walked out of the salon, my head felt a lot lighter. 

Yes, she may not have been able to give me a resolution but she surely gave me the next best alternative.

I just had to keep asking until I got what I wanted. 

She was able to help because she cared and was brilliant at what she does. 

We must never underestimate how what we do everyday can change someone else’s life. As we do what we do best, we make a difference significant enough in someone’s life. 

That is why we must own our power and do everything we can to shine. Playing small helps no one, definitely not the people who we are here to serve.