Comb your hair

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

The best advice I ever got came when I was young. It was a simple phrase, yet one that has stayed with me through the years: “Comb your hair.”

At the time, I thought it was just about appearance. I was a child with wild, untamed hair, running out the door without a care in the world. My mother would call out after me, “Comb your hair! You never know who you’ll meet.”

I didn’t get it. My mind was far from such trivial things. I was focused on playing, exploring, and the next exciting thing on the horizon. Hair was the least of my concerns. But her words echoed in my mind, nagging me every time I rushed out.

One day, as I hurried off to work, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror—a messy reflection that mirrored my chaotic inner state. For a moment, I paused. My mother’s voice floated back to me, “You never know who you’ll meet.”

I reached for the comb, taming the disarray. And as the strands fell into place, something else clicked. It wasn’t just about hair. It was about being prepared, about taking those few extra moments to put things in order, no matter how small.

That day at work, I met someone new—a boss who would eventually became my mentor, guiding me through tough times and helping shape who I am today. Had I rushed past the mirror, had I not taken that moment to pull myself together, would things have been different?

The simple act of combing my hair became a metaphor for life. It’s about taking a step back, organizing the little things, and being open to the unexpected. Because truly, you never know who or what you’ll meet.

Now, whenever I face a moment of doubt or chaos, I remember that advice. I comb my hair, both literally and metaphorically, and walk out ready for whatever life throws my way.