Celebrating
20 years of Daymaking! I can't
believe it's been 20 years since the following experience as a Daymaker
changed my life forever. It was in 1986 that I changed my business
card from Hairstylist to Daymaker. I thought it was a great title
and people responded to it being a cute way to explain what I did
for a living as a hairstylist. A few months later, cute became profound
as you'll soon see why in the following story that happened to me
in November of 1986. The blessings that have followed that day continue
to grace me and those I come in contact with in big and small ways.
Enjoy, and thank you for helping me celebrate 20 years of being
a The Story that Changed my Life! It only takes a moment to make someone’s day – to become a daymaker – and sometimes those moments even change lives as I discovered a number of years ago. I was working in my salon one day when a client came in to have her hair styled. I was surprised to see her, since it was right in the middle of her five-week period between hair cuts. I figured that she must have an important social engagement , so I asked her about her evening plans.
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" I don’t have anything special going on,” she told me. “I just want to look and feel good tonight.” I gave her a great scalp massage, then shampooed and styled her hair. During our 30 minutes together, we joked and laughed. At the end, she smiled radiantly, hugging me goodbye. A few days later when I received a letter from this client, I began to realize the enormous potential of Daymaking. My client admitted that she had wanted her hair styled so it would look good for her own funeral. She had planned to commit suicide that evening. But the wonderful time she had during our appointment had given her hope that things could get better. She decided to check herself into the hospital and get professional help. She thanked me for caring, even though I hadn’t known what she was going through. She wrote, “thank you for being there, without knowing that you were.” I was stunned. I had spent time with this woman about once a month for three years, yet that day I had no inkling she was so distressed. I was glad to have made such a difference, yet the experience left me with an enormous sense of responsibility. What if I had been upset, distracted, or hurried when she came to see me?
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That experience made me take stock of myself as a stylist and as a person. How many of the ten clients I saw everyday might be in personal crisis that I would never know about? Even if it were only one person a day, I might have no way of knowing who needed some extra attention. I resolved to treat every person I met like that woman. It might sound like a lot of work, but it wasn’t hard to have fun with my client that day. It was natural and made my day brighter, too. I vowed to give care and attention to everyone I saw. I figured it would make their day a little better, and who knows, it might save a life. I still thank my client for the gift of that letter because it changed my life as much as my kindness changed hers. When you realize the difference you can make for others, whether by spending a light-hearted half-hour together, giving them a smile, or simply holding the door open for them, your whole approach to life shifts. Why have random acts o f kindness when we can have intentional acts of good will?
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Inspiring Story on YouTube! I am constantly hearing about new and unique ways to be a daymaker. A friend of mine sent these clips from Australia. Enjoy and pass it along to your friends and family. There can never be enough hugs in a day. YouTube - Free Hugs Campaign. Inspiring Story!. Here is a great news story about Free hugs. YouTube - Free Hugs Campaign on TEN News Australia Blessings and have a wonderful thanksgiving. Love, David
Wagner refer a friend to sign up for Daymaker updates here
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