Breathe in. Breathe out. Listen to the soft hush of whiskers falling like reeds in a rushing brook. Smell the smooth aromas of the warm soap. Feel the soothing, swirling cream on your skin and the tactile rhythm of the crisp blade. Take another deep breath, and exhale as cold, refreshing water sweeps across your face. Finish with a bracing slap of aftershave and you're alive. Your eyes, your skin—your senses—are charged and ready for anything. It's gonna be a great day. Contrast this with the shuffling out of bed and begrudging, monotonous dragging of a buzzing, heartless Norelco across your weary face. The clutching of a uniform stem with countless blades arranged stiffly in patterned corporate cartridges. Ugh. One of my newest discoveries with wet shaving, though, is the potential for deep thought. As I'm shaving, I find myself focusing on the shaving itself to a large degree (especially since I'm still relatively new to this and, woah, oh gosh I've got a knife to my face!) but that focus unfolds like a blooming orchid and I find myself more aware of life and time and meaning. As I'm swirling the brush, sure, I'm careful not to miss any spots and I'm enjoying the motion and smells, but this brief, focused task also seems to open my mind. So how about each of you: Do you find yourselves thinking about things while you shave? What kinds of thoughts do you have? Where does your mind wander? Has a particular shave ever moved you to action—has it dared you to do something you hadn't done, to be something you never were? Do you look at things differently? Are there people that suddenly meant something, places you felt you needed to be, words you needed to say? What were you thinking?
I have one thing to say...to you. God help us all when you graduate to a straight razor. You might even compose poetry. On a more serious note, shaving helps me to still my mind and focus on the day ahead. It's a zen time for me. My den, the shave cream, brush, blade and razor for the day all balanced in perfect harmony. Not your normal application of fung shui but it works. Shaving is like the tao of heaven and earth. A Western version of the japanese tea ceremony, complete with attendant rituals and quaint charm. Besides, a great shave is also a wonderful confidence booster.
Nice post, again, Scott.......................oh, I mean, Steve. I really can't remember anything that I think about other than the shave and just enjoying the moment. I tend to try not to do any deep thinking if I can help it. Besides, I need all the concentration I can get especially when I'm using my straights. I totally agree with that. How many times have you had a bad shave and had to leave the house with red, irritated skin, maybe a weeper or two has started weeping again and you just don't want to see anyone let alone talk to them face to face. But with a great shave you are ready to take on the world.
Tomorrow will be my 2nd shave - I'm at the stage where you concentrate too much and cannot think about anything else!
I look in the mirrow and think HOW did I get this old this fast, seems as if I went from childhood to 73 over night, (BUT) I still enjoy the best shaves ever.
Nice read, Steve. You do have a way with words, sir! What do I think about? Depends on the day. There is always some thinking about the shave, but most of the time I could be thinking about Church, praying, work, the music that's playing, what shaving goody to get next... any number of things.
I think several things depending on the razor: DEs - might think of my brother who got me into wet shaving, or nothing at all and just enjoy the shave with a clear mind. Ijector- I think about how cool the razor is and how the blade is stronger than the DE. Valet - I think of what my grandpa may have been like...It is his razor but he died before I was born. OCMM- I just enjoy the awesome shave! It may sound weird...but it really does depend on the razor I'm using. Then of course there are those days when on the weekend my daughter joins me and talks my ear off as I shave, and asks me lots of questions. I don't mind...unless I'm going ATG on the neck.
Lately I have been thinking "How fast can I get this done with no nicks?" You see, my daughter and son-in law have moved in and there is only one bathroom. YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Making a positive out of a negative - I like it! Over the years I have added have added a few extra pounds around my midriff - any positive takes for that. Maybe something like, " Fat people are jolly"' but better.
Heck yes! Since my hubby shaves his head, he has en endless supply of face & I wouldn't have it any other way.
Letting what's left of my mind wander whilst there's an extremely sharp piece of metal microns away from my epidermis is equivalent to the expression, "Hey, y'all watch this" . Yes, it's a zen moment, whatever zen is .
Yes indeed..you must really be getting the hang of the thing if you and your mind can wonder so whist executing the shave..lol..
