Are You Living A Comb’s Life?

As Vincent entered her office, Mitzy read his expression and the glint in his eyes and said, “No!” hanging up the phone after ending the conversation with one of her clients.

Vincent plops down in one of the two empty chairs facing her desk, then defends, “But you don’t know why I am here?”

“We have been here this time of the year, every year, for the past ten years. You might not remember, but I have!” she shot back.

He sighed, staring at her, a desperate look in his eyes.

“I can’t help you because your life is like a comb. Its teeth go only in one direction, and combs are only good for one thing. Combing hair,” Mitzy revealed.

“I am living a comb life?” he asked in shock.

“You have been a fisherman all of your life. That’s a seasonal job. You can’t catch anything at certain times of the year because the fish are probably getting smarter. The sea is already overfished. Every year, you had to go further and further into different waters to fish,” she shoved him down Reflect Road.

“I love to fish,” was his excuse.

“You face climate change. You can’t go out on certain days during hurricane season. The weather is often your enemy. You didn’t think that it was time to change profession?” she questioned.

“I love fishing,” he repeated.

“But you must be begging and borrowing every year from us because of the gaps in your profession. Don’t you think you should find something to supplement your income to fill those gaps?” she questioned.

“I chose that profession because I wanted to be my own boss,” he defends.

“Do the fishes come you?” she demands.

“They can’t live on land. You know that.”

“So they are your boss because you have to hunt them down to bring them to sell your customers,” Mitzy hits him with.

Shock expanded his eyes, and realization played his brain like fingers on guitar strings. He swayed his head as if he was hearing the tunes, then said, “Damn!”

“And that is if you catch them. They get smart at certain times of the year. You can make good money only in a few months of the year. Which you don’t manage well,” she reminds him again.

“A combs life, ah?” he said after understanding and realization, demanding that he listen, scratching the back of his head.

“No one with sense lives their lives one way like a comb. For the slow season, you need to find another income because combs only . . . . . .”

“Goes one way and is used for one thing!” he said, cutting her off.

“I am sorry, but you will never adapt if I keep helping you. Our world is changing, and most of us must have a second source of income. I have a second job. You need a better way to live!”

“But I am too old to start a new profession,” he moans.

“You are not too old to live! So, find a better way! You can’t live only one way. Life doesn’t go one way, Vincent!” She screams.

“I never thought of my life this way,” his regrets said.

“Then you will always be begging and borrowing if you don’t find another way to live!”

I know many humans living a comb’s life. Their lives go one way, and they only do one thing. One is a lonely number. Change is vital to our continued existence and survival. Plus, nothing stays the same. Life, people, friends, families, technology, appliances, actions, choices, decisions, ideas, reasons, how the weather and animals, etc., keep changing as humans have limited control in that area.

If your heart could speak, what would it say?

Change is good. It’s necessary to improve our lives and living conditions. Our mental health is connected to how we live.

For 2025, take the time to know your life, then add change where it belongs. Merry Christmas Everyone.

Thank you for reading this piece. I hope you enjoyed it.