This specific quote aways spoke to me:

“There are two things in life you cannot choose. The first is your enemies; the second your family. Sometimes the difference between them is hard to see, but in the end time will show you that it’s not about the cards your dealt, it’s about how you play them.”

I typically don’t share anything this personal, but I’ve read a lot of these blogs that truly touched the meaning of blessed behind the chair. This gave me more of a reason why I feel blessed when I stand behind that chair.

Everyone in my family with the exception of myself, has had some kind of addiction with drugs or alcohol. This is something I struggle with every single day. Usually when your a user, your the odd man out in the family. No one can quite understand where your coming from or the hurt that you feel and the big question, WHY? My whole life I’ve been on the opposite end. I’ve been the odd man out without being the actual user. I never could understand why my family made these decisions that seemed so black and white to me. My father left when I was young. We lost my brother because of his battle with addiction 2 years ago this August. After that day my life changed forever. My mother went into a psychosis at the beginning of this year. This is something I thought she would never get out of. My sister struggles in and out of jails, rehabs and half way houses. But here I am. Proving it doesn’t have to be that way.

Aside from the negatives, I have a beautiful son, Michael who is going to be 5 years old and starting kindergarten this year! His father and I have been together since I was in hair school 7 years ago. I work at a salon that dubs as a salon and art gallery in the heart of center city. I get to work with clients and collaborate to create their best self. Mike, Michael and I live in an apartment just outside  of the city and i am making more then half my friends who graduated college! I thought I WOULD NEVER be able to say something like that!

I always had big dreams when it came to hair. (especially watching Tabathas salon takeover. ) I didn’t want to go to just any school, or just work at any salon. I wanted to take it as far as I could. I have a huge passion for not only hair but my relationship with my clients. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t struggled over the years with being behind the chair and what this all means to me. Even if your not in the hair industry, It’s exhausting to log onto social media and see what looks like your perception of perfection. I talk to clients everyday and have a hard time sharing what my life has been like. In the past I’ve lied out of embarrassment, just not to make things awkward with my clients or be twisted as if I wanted attention. I would try to bring the conversation back to my client and their life. As I realized I was doing this, my biggest lesson was what happens to you does not define who you are or who you are going to be. I fight everyday and work for where I’m at. I hated seeing the way my family struggled and never wanted that for myself. I think because I’ve seen what rock bottom is it drove me to run in the opposite direction.

I wouldn’t be from philly if I didn’t use this quote “ A hungry dog runs faster “ and I really believe that. If your still reading this I hope you were able to take something away from it other then my bad writing skills. Never give up on your wildest dreams they just might come true. #blessed

Allison

@phillysmaneaddiction