Today’s guest post is from Elisa Doucette who blogs at Ophelia’s Webb. Thanks for sharing this post, Elisa!
At the age of 18, I was so much cooler than I could possibly be now. At least I thought I was. I was struggling with the decision to major in either Vocal Music Performance or Philosophy (Note – I ended up with Creative Writing and Classical Studies in Latin) and very involved in the student philosophical society on campus. As I noted, we were much cooler than anyone realized, sipping on far too much coffee and smoking way too many clove cigarettes, we sat around and talked about stuff and thought really deep thoughts.
One of my gems is something that has actually stuck with me eleven years after it’s inception. As we were discussing the importance of the conditioning of the human spirit I stated, “The back of a shampoo bottle is a great commentary on the importance of perseverance in life…lather, rinse, repeat.” Like any brilliant thinker, most of my best thoughts come either while driving or in the shower.
This shampoo bottle philosophy is more than just perseverance. As I noted, we were discussing the conditioning of the human spirit! I left the IV of coffee and clove cigarette’s behind with my Birks, braids and basement beers but took the philosophy with me. Surprisingly, as I have navigated through my 20’s I’ve learned that adversity is just another part of being a grown-up. It seems that for every one step you take forward you can get checked 2-3 steps back.
This seems to be what separates successful people from the mediocre. It’s like a toddler learning to walk. If they don’t continue getting up after they fall on their butt every couple steps they’ll never succeed. And whether they realize it or not, successful people adhere to the shampoo philosophy. When they get that uppercut to the chin they lather, rinse and repeat. It isn’t always about finding brand new ways to do things or having to innovate everything. Success is about the ability to work your way through all the suds, wash out the dirty stuff and possibly do it all over again if it didn’t work the first time.
Successful people seek out these situations and scenarios. They love the challenge, they thrive in the environment of adversity. Successful people have learned that lathering, rinsing and repeating until you find a result you are happy with is the best way to get everything you ever wanted.
You are so right about that “repeat” in many life situations. In the case of the shampoo bottle, it took me a lot of years to figure out that it was a gimmick to get you to use and buy more shampoo!
Haha, that’s so true Cindy. Does anyone wash their hair twice? Much more useful as life advice : )
I agree its such a gimmick. That being said, I have the nice thick Italian hair that is long and, well, thick! I have to do a lather, rinse, repeat to get a good sud on (otherwise it’s just kinda like when you wash your hand with not enough soap…kinda foamy but mostly filmy!) I know, I’m such a product of…a product!
Crazy that you can find so much truth out of the directions on a shampoo bottle! See it is all about where you LOOK!
This is great! Now it really gives me a new outlook on the bathtime process with my four year old daugher – she lathers and repeats constantly – I have to rinse and rinse!