Patient, persistent, prayerful, the words that come to mind when I think of this journey that I have been on for the last 6 years. The journey that took me 7 years to start. Yes! I over think things. I have to figure it out from beginning to end. I have to envision all the possibilities.
We spend so much of our younger years, trying to suppress who we are. We make all sorts of concessions in order to fit into the mold of what society deems acceptable. We do this at nausea um and at all cost. However, no matter how much we try to conform, there is that urging, just underneath the surface. That urging that is fighting to come out. That urging that seeps out sometimes, but we quickly suppress because society deems it not acceptable. Lord knows, we want to fit into what society deems as, the norm (side eye roll!) However, at some point in the journey, like the gray hair fighting for its place, our authenticity begins to rear its persistent head.
I then began to embrace this season because I realized it is somewhat of a badge of honor.
Just like gray hair, it has taken resistance, persistence, survival, strength, and courage to get to this place in life. There are battle scars but by the grace of God, He has seen me through! That should be celebrated and embraced, not covered and shunned. Those of us who have lived long enough to earn these strands, have been through some things. We have learned some things. There are some women who can rock the heck out of some gray hair!
So how can we embrace the inevitable?
· Explore different hairstyles to see which one(s) compliment you and speak to you.
· Consider a shift. Consider a haircut, hair trim or perhaps a different status all together.
o If you are still getting relaxers, consider going natural.
o If you are still getting a weave, consider going natural.
§ If you still desire a relaxer, consider just a tad of gray color.
§ If you still desire a weave, consider getting just a tad of gray woven in
When I first started styling my locs, at times I was frustrated. My hair just would not style the way I desired. Previously, when I had a relaxer, weave, or wig, I was able to manipulate it to style the way I desired. Not so with the natural flow! My ever so wise eldest daughter imparted her wisdom upon me that resonated. She stated that we have become so used to being able to manipulate our hair through other avenues. When our hair is finally in a natural state, it is foreign territory. We are not used to having to succumb to and embrace the natural flow. I had to think about that! Out of the mouths of babes, as they say. First of all, gray hair will do what IT desires to do! Second, locs are like fingerprints, they grow and look differently on everyone. Sometimes, I would see someone with locs, and I would wish that my locs would look like theirs. Another “ah-ha” moment. We get so busy looking at others and wishing we had what they have, we don’t appreciate the uniqueness of the beauty that lies within. As I began to embrace this concept, the doors of freedom opened. The freedom of being more comfortable in the authenticity of who I am.
You see, for me, this is a journey as well. I always say that I am product of my own brand of embracing the journey. Hopefully, we all arrive at the place in our lives where we finally settle into our own truth. We settle into the “I don’t care what other people think.” We settle there with conviction! There is a certain sense of peace and freedom that results.
Each of us, at some point in life, must embrace our own presence, our holistic beauty and the natural being of who we are. We must embrace it and not be concerned about how it may look or what others think. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good foundation, eye liner, lip liner, mascara, eye shadow, lip gloss and a nice powder dusting to top it all off! However, there is always a time and place for everything. A season for everything
You have been given strength, perseverance, resilience to endure your seasons of life. I hope you will embrace each season that you are in and all the beauty, strength, resilience, and perseverance that is within you!
I am Paula G Voice! I am a sagacious independent lifestyle influencer. I am embracing my own journey and sharing experiences along the way. I am challenging dreamers to do the same by breathing life into their deferred dreams and living out the reality! It is never too late to embrace your journey and live your dreams! Visit Paula’s Blog at www.paulagvoice.com for the full journey.
Mindset Question:
How comfortable are you in this season of your life?
Lesson Learned:
We must embrace the season of life we are in for what it is worth.
Wisdom Challenge:
Take steps to embrace the season of life that you are in
Find the good in the season and embrace the joy of it.
Photo Credit: Klarque Garrison
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