While going through this identity phase on the race I am focusing on things that have a hold on me that is not realistically healthy for me. These are things that I CAN live without and things that are making me realize that don't make me who I am.
Growing up I had always had thick, dark and strong hair. I loved my hair. Once again there was something that I started to idol about myself. Starting in middle school I was able to get a few highlights here and there. It then became chucks of blonde into my naturally dark hair. A year later I started to get my whole head dyed one color. I then forgot what my natural hair looked liked. From there it went downhill but I thought it was great! It became an obsession for me and something I had to have done to feel pretty. If there was someone who had their hair done like me then i HAD to change mine. Ridiculous I know.. If Jessica Simpson chose to cut her hair short then I did it… it the new trend was to have blonde, red and black hair then I did it.
Let me show you some of the hair I have had in the past….
For the past 12 years I have had my hair processed over and over again…. cut…color….cut… color… years and years of damaged hair….
Well I am here to tell you girls that nothing on your body should you idol or become obsessive about. Your true identity and beauty is from the inside of you. I am almost 25 years old and I am just now figuring this one out. Of course I had people tell me the same things that I am telling you… but because of being stubborn, wanting to fit in and wanting the "hollywood" look I did not listen. I wish I would have but I believe that what I have went through is to use as a testimony to other girls.
What I am not saying is that it is wrong to cut or color your hair. I think there are many hairstyles and colors that look great on everyone. I am saying that to me this was an idol to make myself look prettier. God made you the way that you are for a reason. If you think that you do not look good at all with your natural hair then I would like for you to go through your own identity study as well. You will find through this that there are things out there that you idolize that you do not realize. This season of my life has brought so much joy to me to understand the beauty that comes with what God has given you. One of the lessons that I have learned is God did not make me the way that I am in order to change myself to fit into society's standards.
I now present to you new, clean, undamaged, natural and God given hair !!
My challenge from other squad mates and to myself is to grow my hair out to its state that it once was.
Mom and Dad, I hope you like the new "do". You always told me how pretty my natural hair was. I wish I would have listened sooner.
Thanks to Sheri Funk for the new "do" 🙂
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GOD BLESS : )
