Stress

I have a class called wellness. Today in class we addressed stress, the different factors that can lead to stress, and how to overcome it.
We filled out a questionnaire to find out how much stress we have in our lives. It contained about 40-50 questions ranging from the death of relatives to car problems. My score was 186.
Some of the other students went up to 500 and above, yet I feel like my stress levels are higher than this test could show(using the 40 or so questions). The most stress in my life comes from a source not listed on the form.
To put it mildly, I get the most stressed when i witness corruption in man. Weather it be one individual taking advantage of another or an organization participating in unethical business conduct. This happens all around us.
Car mechanics and doctors regularly take advantage of customers because the customer has no other choice. Companies like At&t, AOL andSprint often treat their own customers like dirt thinking, "We're too big for you to leave us". It makes me sick to hear about people taking more money than they earn. Some people would do just about anything for money, even pretend to have a strong moral fiber.
In my class, we also talked about ways of dealing with stress. I realize that there isn't much that i can do about other people taking advantage of me or anyone else, So I've decided to write a promise, a solemn vow for myself and my future to uphold all of the moral duties and ethical codes of conduct to the best of my knowledge and ability. I will not be swayed by greed. I will be open minded and open to suggestions. Above all... I WILL KEEP MY PROMISES.

The Haircut

Let's start by saying that I am 26 years old, way past the age of discovery and curiosity, yet, I am amazed with the world every day. I remember when I was younger, I thought I knew everything, yet I find that the more I learn, the more I realize about things I don't know anything about. So I try everyday to look at everything with the curiosity of a 5 year old.
I am currently enrolled in a class called "Intro to Creativity". Our task is to look, experience and analyze everyday phenomena which inspire us to be inventive and creative.
So what about this haircut?
Well, normally I have the same experience over and over again when I get my hair cut.
I walk into a salon, I may have to wait and look at some magazines (featuring people whom I will never look like no matter how I cut my hair), I am directed to a chair, the hairdresser puts a cover over my clothes (to reduce the itch), and she says, "What kind of haircut do you want?", I point at Brad Pitt, she gives me an awkward look, and she starts.
Not much creativity is required to get this done. Not much at all to keep the job.

Today, I had an entirely different experience. When I went looking for my regular hairdresser, I found that she no longer works there. A new girl, Summer took me right away. She was in her early/mid thirties, with glasses, and ling hair that was bleached at the tips. I felt that she was a little more contemporary and so I took a chance. When she asked me what kind of haircut I wanted, I said I don't know. To this she replied, "OK", with a smile. And we were off.
Within the conversation we had, she told me that she used to work in Austin, which she preferred to Plano. "Why", I asked. She said that in Austin she has several regulars who would just come in and say, "Just do what you do".
I found this profoundly inspiring.
Most of us think that a hairdresser should be creative, yet most of us have hairdressers who are dull and stuck in the routine.
Well, here's one! Here is one person who is creative all the time, and would rather not stop at work. Se said she loved her job, and why shouldn't she? She can be herself at work.
The haircut turned out fantastic.. Thank You Summer.