Dyed-in-the-Wool

The expression “dyed in the wool” refers to a state of steadfastness, especially with respect to one’s political, religious or social beliefs. The expression comes from the fact that fabric can be dyed in a number of ways. The woven fabric may be dyed after it is complete, or the threads may be dyed before they are woven. When a color is “dyed in the wool,” the wool itself is dyed before being spun into threads, so the colour is least likely to fade or change.
-Wiktionary. N., a wiki-based open content dictionary-

Words weave in and out of the fabric of your life. If you aren’t careful the words you use and hear every day can gently start to shape how you see yourself. When I worked in an inner city school students had such a hateful vocabulary because there ears had been filled with nothing but hate and turmoil since the day they were born. Slowly, gently and with soothing tones and constant love they started to see that they deserved something more. Being surrounded by sadness for so long it was often painful and confusing for them to understand how to hold onto someone who was prepared to love them regardless of how they acted.

The phrase dyed-in-the-wool appeals to my artistic side. Dying wool isn’t a quick process, it isn’t without mess but when done the color is strong. Like learning a new walk, embracing a new culture or belief there will be moments of mess but if you are a dyed-in-the-wool optimist you know the end product will turn out to be a thing of beauty. Often good phrases inspire good questions or, if you prefer the term, essential questions. So what are your dyed-in-the-wool beliefs? What is dyed-in-the-wool true about your personality?

At a Christmas dinner party tonight we talked about how your dyed-in-the-wool personality traits shaped your dyed-in-the-wool habits. One person explained that they were always a helping soul by nature. So it seemed only natural that there hobby was then taking care of animals. Someone who naturally likes to bring people together or help other connect is naturally has writing as a dyed-in-the-wool hobby.

The challenge is when people’s dyed-in-the-wool habits are harmful. A gossip can’t be trusted and over time your friends get that about you, they learn ” Tell-a-phone, tell-a-graph, tell-a-Sandra.” They know when Sandra is in the room that the conversation needs to be about her life and nothing more. With love and light one day Sandra will hopefully learn how to use her dyed-in-the-wool habits to spread news and information about events, not gossip. Just like a dyed-in-the-wool people pleasers who always has a need to bring people joy. With help they will come to the self understanding that that they first need to bring themselves happiness.

I work with pre-teenagers now. As I start Christmas break I can’t help but reflect back on all that I learned this school year.  Sometimes you have to think long and hard about things and other times you just know. Helping students channel their dyed-in-the-wool personalities requires a team effort but watching a young person grow and refine with gentle polish is truly my pleasure.