Trust the Process Embrace the Journey

Whenever I think about writing my story and the journey I've traveled in this great profession of cosmetology, I've struggled with how transparent I should be. It is my hope as well as my belief that my journey will help someone to fight a little harder when going through the many different adversity's life brings. Sharing is important to me, especially when speaking to the youth. On the occasions where I have had the opportunity to speak to inner city kids, I always let them know it is my intention to include myself. Never do I want to make people feel as if I am judging. I emphasize once being their age and experiencing very similar things. The outline of my thinking when bearing my story is not limited to just young men and women. I do the same when speaking to my peers. I intentionally like to contribute portions of my life. I like to interact rather than talk at them. For this reason, I've coined myself a Motivational Conversationalist. There are four sayings that have remained with me. "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." "Everything must change." "Nothing ever lasts forever." Lastly, "The main problem with being strong is no one ever checks to see how you are doing." During my difficult transitions in life, here is the best way I can describe to you how I felt. It was as if I was a part of a big gathering amongst all my peers. Everyone was drinking wine, dancing, and simply appeared to be having a good time. I, however, was hanging on the edge of a cliff just beneath their feet, and not even holding on with all ten fingers. From time to time, someone might notice me there hanging, but they would look down, see me, and say to themselves, "Oh, that's Scott, no need to worry about him. He's always good." To add injury to insult, someone might even step on my fingers, just to see how much longer I could hold on. Unbeknownst to them, the day finally came where I simply couldn't hang on any longer. I was forced to let go and fly strictly on faith!