My barber has been cutting my hair for almost 20 years. When we started, he was newly married. I’ve been with him as he had a child, started his own barbershop, and overcame a global pandemic.
When I sit in his chair every four weeks, we often catch up on life and Oklahoma Sooner football. (He’s got an inside track.)
It’s a rather small barbershop located in downtown Norman, with only a few chairs. The quaintness adds to the charm and coziness of the experience. It’s a joy to sit down in his chair each month and catch up.
He has a lovely photo of his daughter hanging by his mirror, so that’s where we start most visits. I always ask how she’s doing.
She’s a very accomplished young woman, so it’s always fun to hear what she’s achieved as the years tick by. She’s one heck of a martial arts athlete and scholar.
As he was informing me about her next step into high school, I made the comment, “Geez, I cannot believe she’s going into high school. I can remember when she was born.”
“Yeah,” he responded. “Time flies by fast.”
Shaking my head in agreement, he continued shifting to a metaphor I cannot shake loose.
He offered me some wisdom you can only get in a barbershop: “I was once told that life is like a roll of toilet paper. In the beginning, it unrolls slowly and methodically. As the roll shrinks over time, the rotation gets easier and faster. And when you get near the end, you become very aware that you’re running out of time.”
For some strange reason, this metaphor hit me harder than expected. The roll of toilet paper has been speeding up on me as I become aware of how quickly time is slipping by. Looking back, now, I am content and happy with my life.
Did I make mistakes? Obviously.
Do I have regrets? Sure.
Did I struggle? No doubt.
Did I get lucky in life? Absolutely.
But, overall, my life has been filled with so many moments of triumph and joy. That, I am very thankful for.
Yet, from the perch from which I gaze now, time is speeding up. The roll of toilet paper is quickening, and I’m starting to wonder about the end.
The book of Proverbs (20:29) states, “The glory of youth is their strength, but the beauty of the aged is their gray hair.” If that is true, then I am gaining wisdom by the week.
Paul encourages older men in Titus 2, “Tell the older men to be temperate, serious, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.” Honestly, it does not sound too fun, but I get the apostle’s point.
Life at this age tends to slow down and speed up at the same time. I can no longer keep up with the younger generation, while the world seems to spin faster and faster every single day. It’s quite dizzying to be honest.
As I grow older, I find myself gravitating toward Paul’s words to the Philippian church as they struggled to find their own solace: “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
For some strange reason, I am at peace these days.
Yes, the world seems out of control. Yes, the dark clouds of injustice grow stronger.
Yes, the winds of tyranny gain strength. Yes, the thunder of oppression escalates.
However, I find peace knowing that when the roll of toilet paper offers its last sheet, I will have done my best.
And here is the last piece of wisdom from my barber: “When the roll of toilet paper runs out, you will look back and know you’ve seen and dealt with a lot of shit. But you will also know you did your best to clean it up.”
May that be said of all of us.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
CEO of Good Faith Media.