Boy's Blog

What's in a Ritual

I’m not your average new-age sensitive cosmo man. I guess you could say I’m from the ‘school of hard knocks’. Yeah I do yoga – but that’s not to balance my chakras. It’s just for my lower back issues. And I won’t sit down and do the meditation thing, unless it involves watching 80mins of the All Blacks smashing out another victory.

But I do believe in a morning ritual. And part of that ritual involves old-school shaving with a brush and a razor. Now I am going to say that the only shave soap I would ever use is our No3 soap – because I obviously would say that. But it’s more than that. I just really believe in having that time to myself first thing – even though it only takes five minutes. I think people call it ‘me-time’, or something along those lines. Wanna see the ritual in action then check this out. But don't criticise me - I can be sensitive.

As I warm my face with a hot flannel, I’m able to think to the day ahead and wonder whether the two boys will be at each other’s’ throats over breakfast, or whether the little guy will wait until big bro takes him to the bus stop to cause trouble – then deny any culpability of course.

As I lather the soap onto my face, my thoughts change to vague thoughts about nothing in particular – apparently vagueness is something I am good at. So then, let’s call these few moments of nothingness my morning meditation.

A bit more concentration is required to actually execute the shave without cutting my throat, so I zone back in. A quick cold rinse and a splash of after-shave oil and I’m good to go. Smooth. A short walk into the kitchen, let the chaos begin. I’m brought back to reality. Ritual done. “Me-time” ticked off.

I’ve managed to convert my friends to the ritual of the morning shave. And I do promote it as a ritual; so maybe the old-school way of shaving is actually more new-age/sensitive guy than I had considered. Maybe I am more well-rounded than I thought! Or perhaps we should ask my wife that question…

Wayne