Richie Lindo

Background

About Richie Lindo

My dream was always to become a mechanical engineer and I had no second choices. Albeit I lost focus in high school, hence my ambition and my preparation were not in sync. Thus, upon graduating, and after one too many dead-end jobs, I became a barber in my hometown. My parents could not fathom the extent to which I had underachieved and although they will not admit it, they were embarrassed by me and for me. While I loved barbering, still do, and was proud of the notoriety that I was gaining, it saddened me to see that my parents were drowning in regret because of my missteps.Fortunately, the Universe aligned me with two staunch supporters. The two men were barbers, but one was an alcoholic and the other was a retired drunk. Nonetheless, both men would constantly impress upon me, since boyhood, that I was destined for greatness. The retired drunk lived in my neighborhood, and I would see him regularly. Several times per week he would remind me that he was happy that I was being productive, but my destiny was within the halls of academia. As for the alcoholic, I would see him, and be bombarded with his rants everyday because he was the owner of the barbershop where I practiced the tonsorial arts. Especially when he was under “the spirits,” the alcoholic would colorfully threaten to kick me out of the nest so that I could go and train to become the barber who became a teacher, and eventually a university professor. I heard him but I wasn’t really listening. You see, I was also a teenage father with a young one to provide for and that was my why. Within a year, as a barber, I was making good money, so I was putting up a stout resistance against my two old buddies. Well, I eventually learned not to underestimate the influence of a drunk – let alone two. They won! I made amends with parents, made a promise to my daughter, and stepped out by faith. I enrolled in evening classes. I became qualified. Matriculated. Excelled!Subsequently, I taught at every level from primary/elementary school to college. I have been a consultant to ministers of government, prime ministers, and other heads of state on Criminal Justice. Fortunately, my two old friends lived long enough to see their words become flesh. Both have now transitioned, but they live on in me and through me. As for me, I’m just here still yearning for knowledge and paying it forward. So, it is safe to conclude that, “Old barbers never die, they just don’t cut ‘it’ anymore. “