All your dreams are made
When you're chained to the mirror
And the razor blade.
For Christmas I was given a double edge safety razor handle by my wife. The main purpose of these is to reduce the plastic waste of disposable razors.
However, there has been an unexpected side effect of using such a razor: it enforces slowness. Rush with one of these and you either get cut up or experience an uneven shave. Make no mistake, I am now experiencing better shaving, but it takes a little longer.
Now, when I shave, I am mentally prepared for the thing to take a little while. I am ready to take a step sideways out of the busyness of everyday life. I am accepting of the fact that something in my life isn't just going to happen instantly.
And I embrace the slowness. The steady draw of the blade down my cheek. The knowledge of its power to cause pain used incorrectly. The careful manoeuvres around the contours of my face. The unhurried attention to the softer, more sensitive areas of my skin.
Whilst I do this my mind is free - perhaps not free to make dreams, but free to meditate.
This morning, I woke up shortly before my alarm signalled the beginning of the day's routine. I was out of bed with plenty of time to read the Bible (Hebrews 9 today) and to pray. Whilst chained to the mirror and the razor blade I was free to think of and pray for loved ones. Yes, as always, my mind wandered as I thought of friends and family who I've not seen since the COVID-19 lockdown began. But as it walked alongside those who I miss, I was able to re-channel my concentration and to pray for them.
A quick shave with a multi-bladed Gillete ocean-filler would not have provided me with this slow-induced solitude, nor would it have readied me for the day ahead as well. I may have been sporting equally as silky cheeks, but I would have been rushing that little bit faster into the day, slightly less primed for whatever the day held in store for me.
