Out of the woodworks

Well ladies it's been quite a while. My last blog was in August shortly after my 1 year loc-versary. I must say it's been an interesting experience. I'm reminded daily of my choice not only to grow locs but to go back to being natural. There are millions of blogs, books, sites and now even movies that cover the topic or at least attempt to. It's amazing to see how once the veil is lifted from our eyes what can be accomplished as a human. My decision to go natural, repeatedly, left me questioning myself. Why am I choosing to wear my hair natural or straight? Will it affect my profession? What are the right locs? Even in all of our natural self righteousness we've managed to condemn one another about what's natural and what's not. Who's locs are better? As if it made a difference we ask Small medium or Large? Many of us look down on those who choose to still perm, texturize and color their hair forgetting that we were once there. It takes years to condition yourself that you need a perm in order to fit in and it takes years to realize that you don't need one to fit in. Especially if you don't have a support system. Suprisingly many of my close friends in the past year have decided to stop getting perms. When I ask why they simply say it's just not working out as they want. I'm sure my natural influence has nothing to do with their choice, however if I made the choice to verbally punish them about their permed hair they probably wouldn't have made the switch. Be courteous to those with non-natural hair They'll make the switch when they feel the need. I'm predicting that within 5-10 year 75% of my close friends will have made the switch. Time will tell.

Facing Giants

Courage

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. ~2 Timothy 1:7 ~

Part of my 60 day reflections, in order to prepare myself to truly do what God has planned for me i must become better. No problem is resolved at the same level of consciousness at which it is created. In other words change your thoughts and perception towards your challenges. Learn to embrace them and take then head on. Go after something so big and ridiculous that you're guaranteed to fail unless God is backing it up.

In other news, it's been 11 months for my braidlocs. I honestly can remember sitting in my living room parting my hair on my couch and trying to make straight parts. I've had so many thoughts during this whole journey. Did I make them too small? Did I make them to big? Should I have made this decision at all? The one decision that matters is that I'm not growing locs so that I can have long hair down my back, if it was about that I'd would've just gotten a long hair weave or braids. Also it's more than the simplicity and flexibility of a hairstyle, although those are great bonus points. It's a decision to humble myself, to let go of all these meaningless "things" in life that we put on pedestals and prioritize. It's been a constant reminder that I'm beautifully made on the inside and outside. It's a symbol that God makes no mistakes and no junk and that if we simply step out of his way he'll show up and show out.

Thanks for the support from all the women who Blog and inspired me to take the big leap.

The thoughts in your mind will always be more important than the things in your life.

Natural or Not?

Methylparaben, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamide DEA,Sodium benzoate,cetrimonium chloride, PROPYLENE GLYCOL just to name a few of the ingredients that I found while browsing the aisles in the Beauty Supply store. What's more interesting is that a lot of these ingredients I found in products that claimed to be natural, for natural black hair and even in some "Loc" products. Now I know I can be a little slow sometimes to understand some things...but most of us who decided to go natural whether wearing locs, a fro, or twists & braids, decided this route for a reason. In doing so we enter the realm of the unknown with hair care products. When I went natural my hair products did not. I still used products that claimed they were natural and had a black woman with nappy hair on the label but failed to understand fully what I was putting in my hair.

Growing up the trademark product for little black girls hair is grease. And back in the day it came in two choices Blue or Green Burgamont Hair grease. Not only did it smell, but I felt weighed down after getting my hair done. If you were seen with a dry scalp it meant your mamma didn't love you, so the greasier the better. Fast forward 20 years later we're now learning that petroleum and mineral oil found in most hair grease is bad for black hair care. We need to become more educated about our hair. Choosing to wear your hair natural means so much more than what's on the outside. The chemicals in shampoos, conditioners, moisturizers and loc sheens are harsh and dangerous. They only produce a layer of buildup which if you're a loc wearer in a few years you'll be complaining of your hair being dull & dry.

Instead stick to Water(daily moisturizing), Olive oil, Black Soap(shampoo), ACV rinses monthly (small amounts). Also don't get caught up in thinking your hair is supposed to shine like a freshly waxed Cadillac. Figure what your hair type is and appreciate it and be grateful you've got it!

Peace.

Let's Get Church!

Okay two weeks ago after our long hiatus from our church home, we decided as a family to go back. During our hiatus I must say I felt disconnected somehow. I wasn't reading the Bible much and felt out of touch. I also didn't feel like I was setting a good example for my kids, which by the way is very important. My daughter attends a Catholic school and my 3yr old is in Pre-K so we need all the Godly instruction we can get!

This past Saturday we agreed that we would go to morning service which starts at 8am. Which means that all of us (2 adults & 6 kids) would have to get up at the crack of dawn get dressed eat some type of breakfast and be out the house no later than 7:15 to arrive by 7:45 and get good parking, which is quite a feat with our church's 4000 members of which 10-20% show up every Sunday. Again this isn't that difficult we've gotten used to herding the kids in a timely fashion.

So when I woke up at 8:30 I realized that we probably weren't going to make it there until 9:30 and by that time Service is almost over. So instead my Snoopy suggested we have Church at home. So out came the Bible and the kiddies gathered in our bedroom and read the story of the Great Flood. They each took turns reading and answered questions and boy let me tell you I was not expecting it to go so well. I'm not saying we'll make it a habit of waking up late for service but at least we have a backup plan for it now.

Let it be.

Ever feel awkward being somewhere? As if you didn't belong? Not only do I stand out because of my skin color, hair, and religious beliefs but my lifestyle as well. My views on life probably seem a little strange to those that know me. I read self improvement books, I watch very little TV, I don't eat certain foods and this is nothing new.

I've developed a level of tolerance to those around me in order to become a better person and develop patience(Thank God). Yet there are these situations where I feel like I really just don't belong. Something in my spirit just doesn't feel right. I know this is my God given common sense telling me...Nope Tunisia you don't belong here or Tunisia you should not be in this conversation. I don't believe in trying to change those around me by arguing or debating words won't change a person's mind. However improving my way of life will and how I interact with people by setting an example.

--I pray that the example I set is worthy.

Hadn't Noticed

My hair has grown! Yay! Hadn't really noticed simply because it's not that serious :) It's just hair. Life is Good and God is Great.

Random Photos

Peach Head

Or Fuzzy Wuzzy is what my son calls my hair. He really likes to run his little hands through it and laugh and giggle. He and my daughter also comment on the fact that all of my locs are not the same size or length and question if I'm going to fix it. I just smile and tell them no. I'm going through the fuzzy stage. Not really sure when it started but noticed it a couple of weeks ago. This is good news and means that my locs are coming along nicely and losing the braid pattern. I'm not really even concerned about that as much as I was in the beginning. I often now even forget to latch and have to count back when the last time I did a latching. Is life moving along so fast? I don't think so, I've got so many plates spinning that hair is really the last thing on my mind. Which is why I haven't blogged much about it. However I will get back on track and post new hairstyles and concerns that I have so don't fret!

Our Blended Family

Totally off the subject of hair for a moment. I had to post this, especially after watching the Duggers. Which is a family that lives in Arkansas and they couple have 20 children and counting...which means they have no intentions of not having more children. Most people would be outraged or appalled that a couple would choose to have so many children, however Psalm 127:3says Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. My husband and I have 7 children, five of them came with the package deal and the youngest were recently added. I cannot imagine my life without them. They are truly blessings and it's a privilege to raise them righteously and in the teachings of the Lord. 5 boys and 2 girls and Lord willing when our income increases significantly I wouldn't mind having another one. I honestly believe as long as you can take care of them you should have as many children as you want and I'm grateful to live in a country where this is not dictated by the government. Again not hair related but I had to mention it...Here's a link of the Duggers

It's Been Six Months!!

Does Size Really Matter?

Large, Medium, Small, Micro all the various choices for sizes of locs. Does it really matter. I'm astounded for every positive comment on someone's locs of choice there's always a negative one. Locs are locs for goodness sake! There is no right or wrong choice of loc size, whatever one likes is the right choice. What is this new loc conformist organization that is growing??? Where did it come from? Oh I know....it comes from the human Ego. That thing that always needs to be right. That's all that is !! phew!! for a moment there I thought I had lost it.

To all loc wearers and those thinking of getting locs please trust your instinct and go with what's right. If you're unhappy with what you've got there's always the scissors...it is only hair and it will grow back. Trust me on this.