Collective Healing

When I first heard about Twitter or other online communities of networking I was reluctant and skeptical about the whole thing. Today, I am so grateful for being a participant of these communities as I have connected with so many amazing people from all over the world and I feel a collective healing taking place. My so-called "idealistic" views are stronger than ever and I am witnessing true confirmation in all that I see and experience and these online communities are so much a part of this "movement." I am reassured that the world in all it's imperfection, is amazingly abundant with people who possess pure souls and desires for contributing love and life and awareness to our universe. All you have to do is read the entries here or see the people on Twitter reaching out to other people, to teach them how to love themselves and others more deeply more honestly. In total, all of this connectedness has to make a collective difference to each one of us individually which creates a universal shift in energy and I just want to say thank you to each woman, each man, who takes the time and makes the effort to create this glorious synergy. I believe that the women here on my blog play a large role in creating this universal love ... they are forgiving, understanding and honest and have led the way for me to start living my life as Ellen from New Orleans reminded me, more authentically. And what that means to me, is living 'my' life and not another's life, with love and gentility. I will have so much more of me to share. Stay tuned for more beauties from "The Beauty of Wisdom" and thank you so much for taking the time to be part of my journey. I hope you enjoy this photo I took as the sun rose in Molokai, HI this past September when I became 50 years young.

Julie, Baton Rouge, LA

This is Miss Julie. She was reluctant at first to have me take her photograph, but Glenn, her hairstylist at the Hair Unlimited, persuaded her and once we got started she was just fine. Julie worked through her 70's and is now retired at 85. She's been working with Glenn for 7 years and to listen to them speak to each other you would think that they are sisters or long time friends, catching up on each other's lives. Miss Julie does not dye her hair and as you can see has beautiful manicured hands. Julie said that very little could stop her from missing her weekly morning appointment.

Vera & Paula, Conroe, TX

In my travels, I discovered the apparent connectedness shared not only between client and hairstylist but also between all women in the salon, like here at Kathie's in Conroe Texas. In Dr. Joyce Nelson Patenaude's book, "Too Tired To Keep Running, Too Scared To Stop" she shares a story that was told to her by a friend, "In Africa, the women of the village would walk a mile to the river and back everyday to retrieve water. The women would carry heavy vessels on the heads to transport the water. On day, the Peace Corps came to this village. The first thing the workers did was to dig a well o relieve the women's burden of carrying heavy vessels over such a long distance. Everyone rejoiced. But soon the women ignored the well and began once more to walk the mile to the river. The fulfillment of their connectedness with one another is what the women needed and missed." The women needed to feel that connected and one way these ageless women do that is by going to the salon once a week, to make that connection, one that is not replaceable by anything else.

The International Aperture Awards

The International Aperture Awards

Ruby, Eunice, Robbie - Memphis, TN

This summer on the road, I had the privilege of traveling with my step-daughter, friend and talented videographer, Ruby. Here we are standing with Eunice at Gould's Salon in Memphis, TN. Eunice was one of the many amazing women we encountered on our journey. I told you a bit about her before, but there is so much more to tell. She has been in business for 54 years, starting as an assistant and working her way up to hairstylist and colorist. Her spirit will light you up and you will want to be in her presence for any reason, and her clients are loyal and committed to their relationship with her. One client even gave her their car when they were moving and Eunice receives many gifts. She gives many gifts as well, as her clients will tell you. Here's a woman who continues to do what she so loves when she could easily retire. This woman is a true inspiration.

Lillian, Houston, TX

To start my travels off, I drove to Houston, where I photographed Hari who is the hairstylist for her mom, Lillian. They were so cute together and Lillian's warmth touched me in a way that was reminiscent of my own family...like getting a big hug from one of my great aunts at a Bar Mitzvah. Lillian has red hair and gets it styled in a current fashion. I loved her white mules and hip manner... Her husband, a war veteran, accompanies her to her weekly hair appointment. In her eighties, this woman is anything but old.

Gene Finney, Memphis, TN

Gene is an 81 yr old hair-stylist at Gould's in Memphis, TN. He serenades his clients, as he does here serenading me, with his harmonica playing and keeps his recorded music close by as well as the jewelry he makes. He has worked here for 55 years. He adores his clients and it's obvious that they adore him too.