Long story short...

It seems sometimes to come in waves, but sobriety (and the need for it) always pops up in ways that may not always be unexpected, but surprising who admits it. I got a call yesterday from a young girl that I've only known for about 6 months. We met because she was working with this really flakey woman who kept asking her to call me to reschedule a photoshoot... I started doing her hair, and long story short: She's now my client and neither one of us work with the flake. I set her up with someone else that could help guide her career and get her started in this crazy industry we call 'FASHION"...! LOL

ANYHOW, I did her hair a few weeks ago and noticed right away something was off. She always seemed a bit spacey, but not in an airhead or dumb way. This is usually indicative of drug/alcohol abuse. An otherwise intelligent and "together" person ceases to make sense, or only catches every other word being said. I took control of the conversation. I went to the dark side and shared some of MY story with her... she knew I had been sober for 13 months, but I never really told her some of the really BAD stuff. I figured that I shouldn't pull an "Intervention" approach, so I just started telling her things about my drinking life. Like seizures. Like breakups. Like losing everything and now working hard to get it back. Like the daunting task of taking control back of MY LIFE.

She called me yesterday from rehab, thanking me for saving her. She almost died the night I did her hair last. She was taking 20 mgs of Xanax everyday!!! That is a TON!!! And she was drinking A LOT with it. Now, I know I didn't save her... she is doing that for herself, but to know that my story/experience in that big, bad world could inspire her to do better for herself... it feels good. All this Shane stuff, and the hassles of everyday life, it all comes into perspective in the big picture... If I don't have the foundation of sobriety, all the progress I've made is erased. I won't be able to share my story with anyone, or inspire anyone else to help themselves.

I love my life now. Even though it's hard sometimes to feel like any of the crap that I do is worthwhile.... Every once in a while the Universe throws a situation, or in this case an actual person, my way... not to test me, but to GIVE me an opportunity to give back.

Pay attention to the signs, they guide you to the place(s) you're supposed to be.

peace-

R

Boundaries

Professional. PERSONAL. We all have them. We all CROSS them.

Let your's be known, and ask others to do the same. We expect our spouses, boyfriend/girlfriends to know and respect them. Don't cheat. Don't lie. Don't disrespect the relationship.

Why can't we ask the same of our: Parents, siblings, friends, co-workers, etc...?

To save having a confrontation? Going outside their comfort zone and truly being honest?

Fuck that! If I'm offending someone with my behavior or attitude, I would like to know so I could explain myself. I hate it when people PURPOSELY overstep a boundary, then back pedal, and only apologize for a situation getting out of hand, beyond their comfort zone, but NEVER apologize for overstepping in the first place.

I really don't care if people like me or what I say. However, I do try to respect people's boundaries and expect them to do the same.

Family members are tricky... they feel that because they've known you for your/their entire life, that you are consistently the same person they REMEMBER you to be. They usually fail to realize that as human beings, we evolve.... walk through the fires of hell, swim the oceans of guilt, and climb the mountains of personal fulfillment. If you make a mistake along the way, they MUST make mention that although you've navigated such difficult emotional obstacles, hurdles, GROWTH as an individual, you still weren't PERFECT doing so. Why give praise or acknowledge a job well done, when they can CROSS the BOUNDARY and make any achievement seem ALMOST enough, almost a SUCCESS, or that you are ALMOST WORTHY of receiving it?

I think we owe it to ourselves and the people we care about to be honest about what makes us tick. What we are and are not willing to put up with from them. Explain in a kind way that sometimes they don't know us at all.... and that its okay if they don't approve. Its not their life, and their approval isn't necessary... Set your boundaries. Move on to the next challenge life throws at you. They can either join you for the ride or stay behind and judge you...

peace,

R

BECOME A FAN OF Ryan Chambers HAIR on Facebook!

or friend request me!

Do it NOW!!!

peace,

R

AWESOME

I HATE THAT I MISSED THIS BUT I WON'T MISS NEXT WEEK OF GLEE!!!!!!!!!

I really think there's something in the air...

EVERYONE has said, myself included, that 2010 is gonna be their year. I tend to believe that when people are on the same wavelength, the power shifts whichever way the world thinks... since everyone seems to be looking on the bright side, and spreading a lot more positive energy out into the world, it penetrates even the air we breathe. The world is probably no less fucked up than it was last year, and there are still those that keep doing , and saying, and spewing the same negative shit they always do, BUT those of us that are malleable, and ready for change, and are embracing a new way of thinking are shifting the energy towards a more positive and MEANINGFUL existence. I want to make things happen FOR me, rather that let them happen TO me. Its amazing what the world can do, I cannot stop myself!

Let us all get what we want, and NEED. We need love, more and more!

I think I've got mine... and I wasn't sure that was possible. But it is. And it feels good!

Peace-

r

I'm sure this will offend SOMEBODY.

I hate people that are anti this and anti that, like caffeine and vulgarity and profane language. I mean, what fun is that!?

I also LOVE my Splenda and Diet Cokes and even if it gives me cancer, so fucking what, at least I'm not getting fatter. (I need to use those calories on something GOOD like Snickers!) Because if I don't get cancer from the Splenda, I'm sure I'll get it from my cell phone or my laptop or french fries or AIR or something.

I also hate people that always worry about offending other people. And walk on eggshells.

Or maybe I feel particularly antagonistic today because I'm sick and grouchy.

New.

That's how I feel. Everything is new. Suddenly, everything impossible seems possible. Maybe it always has been, and I'm just now tapping into it. Either way, I feel like after my trip to Long Beach, CA this past weekend, somehow the remnants of the fog has completely lifted. I can go anywhere, do anything, and be anyone that I want to be. Fortunately the only person I feel like being is MYSELF. When you change your mindset, the whole Universe notices. I am not only excited about my future, but I believe I've changed it.... or WE have. I met someone. I'm in SERIOUS like with him. Its exciting, and I'm down for the challenge(s) this new situation will give me... I hope he is, too! My incredibly driven state of mind is in over-drive. I have the tools and the credentials to make my life and career successful and most importantly: HAPPY.

peace