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.