I knew this post would be different from the others to come because there are so many women involved. I wanted to highlight my experience and let those of you that were a positive part of that experience know how big of an effect you had on me. I also knew it would be hard for me write because the Paul Mitchell experience, for me, is bitter/sweet. When I was fired because "they no longer wanted to work with..." me I felt angry and devastated. I could not think about working there or the people I met there without being annoyed, and I was so sad about my loss that I couldn't see past the hurt. Then I became numb, completely apathetic toward those involved and the organization. It is only recently that I have been able to see the beauty in it all.
I keep thinking about this experience that my very good friend Erin O'Brian shared with me a long time ago. She grew up in Moose, Wyoming, in Yellowstone National Park outside of Jackson Hole. She said that there was a field by her house that was filled with sage brush the year of the Yellowstone fires. That summer the field caught on fire and was allowed to burn the sage brush away; it was black and ugly the rest of the summer and fall. Winter covered the field in a layer of white wet snow. As the snow melted and spring brought sunshine to the field the most beautiful wild flowers bloomed. The wild flower seeds were in that soil, but the sage brush suffocated them; only after the fire cleansed the field were the seeds allowed to germinate and grow.This anecdote is a metaphor for my feelings about my Paul Mitchell experience. That beauty is each one of you; you are my wild flowers, and...what a beautiful bunch you are. I love seeing your lives unfold on the social medias; thank you "Facebook." You have learned and loved and lost; gone to college, getting married and having children, and losing loved ones. I have been so impressed by your reactions to these life events.
Night School: I started my journey with "night school" and I could not have started in a more accepting and welcoming place. You ladies were hardworking woman. I remember thinking that your devotion to this program was admirable because you needed to dedicate two years of your lives to accomplish your goals to become a hairstylist a midst being mom's, or working, or both. I felt that I needed to give you my very best each evening, so that your dedication would not be in vain. I love doing hair, but your devotion instilled a passion that I was unaware of within myself.
Phase II: Part of my journey included Phase II. The passion that I received from night school turned to excitement from my Phase II ladies. I learned so much from each of you. I learned about being thoughtful, sincere, nonjudgmental, and energetic. I would sit and watch how you would interact with each other. Interestingly, sometimes I would know that there were challenges among a few of you, but time and time again I would observe you handle conflict with grace and humility. I know Paul Mitchell would take credit for that from their teachings, but I would disagree and say that it is because you are remarkable women.
Co-Workers: Thank you! For being part of the funnest group of ladies that I have ever worked with. You are lovely ladies. The thing that was great about being your co-worker was that we had opportunities to talk about life; about its challenges, and about its "victories." Cecily, you left a classy fingerprint; Angie, you left a kindness fingerprint; Lindy, you left a creative fingerprint; Jaimee, you left a thoughtful fingerprint, Karissa you left a serenity fingerprint, and Keali you left a sincere fingerprint.
The things I learn and feel from each of you I have learned and felt before and will continue to learn and feel from others, but each fingerprint is a little different and I discover that characteristic with a little different perspective and with each woman that leaves their impression on my soul I discover a little more of myself. I would love to name each of you, but, honestly, I don't want to forget anyone. I have not yet learned the art of forgiving myself. ;-)
Please take the time to write, in the comments, a story or experience about a woman or women that have left fingerprints on your soul and share it with them.