5.02.2009

It's deeper than just hair!


Making the decision to go natural for me was not a great call or something that weighed heavy on my heart. Quite simply, my cousin/best friend made the decison to go natural and made the comment that it would be great if I were to go along with her. I thought about it for a little bit and decided that it wasn't a bad idea. I'd always had fast growing hair so if I hated it I would just grow it back out and relax it. No big deal. So I told her yes. That is how my journey began.
Well in this process it has become a sort of passion for me. Wearing my natural hair has changed my life in more ways than I ever imagined. For starters it has turned me into a true do-it-yourselfer. I have learned sooooo much about how to care for my hair in the past year, from my transition to now; 10 months natural. I love being able to think of a style and attempting it on my own hair. I love that I know when my hair's moisture/protein balance is off. I love that I know how to take care of my own hair and I actually prefer it.
One year ago I was clueless about my hair. Yes my hair grew fast, but I would always have breakage in my crown area. If I wasn't going to the salon my hair was a mess and I hated wash days. That's like my favorite day now. Or should I say days, considering that in the summer I cowash atleast 3 times a week.
Over time being natural has allowed me to embrace a me that I didn't realize I was denying. Not just me "Shara". but me black woman. I quickly began to be offended when hearing the term, "good hair" or "bad hair". I can't stand to hear, "they need to put a perm on that girls nappy hair". It is so offensive to me for a person to be considered less attractive if their hair isn't straight. Now granted there are some unpleasant looking natural heads of hair that need to get it together or mom's that need to learn how to care for their daughter's natural hair, but that is the same for relaxed, texlaxed, and the like. It is so sad to see a beautiful little black girl walking around with pretty, straight hair in some nice bun but the outer edges have been eaten away due to over processing of harsh chemicals or weakened due to the same. And before I go any further I want to say that I do not think relaxers are the worst thing in the world. My issue is when people think that straight hair alone equals beauty.
The main reason for my post is yet to be discussed. I am making this blog post in honor of My Lord. I have through the journey of becoming natural have found a truer understanding and appreciation for God's handiwork; ME! I AM HIS CREATION. He made me with kinky curly hair. He made me with different textures in this head of hair. My big nose that I have always hated and wished away; Yep he hand crafted that and placed it right above my full lips. He thought he did a great job yet here I am having the nerve to call what the Masters hands created, too big. WOW. That's audacious! I'm learning more and more that my being placed here is simply for HIS glory. I was created for his glory. He made me exactly how he wanted me to be and I am learning to see the beauty in what I once saw as less than. I am so full right now that I could type for another 3 hours on this subject, but I digress.
BTW, I know I haven't posted in forver but life has been hectic for me lately and I can't even promise to update more often. Not now anyway. My desire is to do so but life is happening BIG time right now. I will say that I am still loving my hair and have many things to share and one day I hope to update you all with all that I have learned and different styles and product raves/reviews.

P.S I really wrote this post to the Lord but maybe it will bless you too.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

AMEN sister!!! I love this post!!! I am so thankful the LORD is giving you the grace to be content in who you are IN HIM!! He created EVERYTHING about us for HIS glory including our hair..and you are so right..we should give HIM honor and praise HIM for that!

I love it!
I love your hair..I need your foku info.. I want to keep up with you
love you!
Nicole

~Marti26. said...

Hi! Thanks so much for leaving a comment. Is it Jordan or Nicole? Sorry I'm just now responding to your message I read it awhile ago but forgot to respond back. My fotki link is www.fotki.com/marti26
and my password is "Jesus".(case sensitive) and that does not include my childrens hair album. I hope you enjoy it although I have not updated that in a while either. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Love Mom said...

Just happened across your site while blog hopping andfound it incredibly interesting. I love this post as I have,just recently, begun to embrace my hair, and feel the same way you do; why does beauty have to be defined by straight hair?
LOve your outlook on it!

From a white girl in Nothern Canada with VERY curly hair with no one around to teach her how to care for it...sigh! Thanks for the encouragment through your perspective!