Your adornment must not be merely external–braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.
Although putting on fancy dresses and wearing lemonade braids down my back was great for social media likes, I wouldn’t be able to post these pictures without the confidence I’ve learned on my self-awareness journey.
Like most, it was an immediate struggle finding my own image within a society filled with high profile elites and high end brand commercials constantly telling you your beauty lies within the brand you wear. As I reflect on my past journey I have become very thankful for 4 reasons in particular.
1. I am thankful for the naps that I had to struggle through
My kinky tightly coiled strands have taught me patience. I can’t possibly achieve a great style without time. There are some mornings when I just want to throw my hair in a ponytail and race out of the house, but my hair does not permit me to do so. There were times earlier on in my hair journey where I wanted my hair to reach past my ears but of course that wouldn’t happen overnight. Like anything else that you want to flourish and grow, it takes times. Thank you naps for granting me patience!
2. I am thankful for the bad hair days
Sometimes we rely so heavily on appearance. Guess what? Appearances don’’t hold nearly as much value as attitudes! On my worse hair day my attitude has to make up for my appearance which in turns brings out the best in my personality. Some may say, I’m “overcompensating” for a flaw, but I say it’s the girt in my smile and blossom in my voice that makes my attitude shine brighter than anything else!
3. I am thankful for the decision I made to cut out relaxers
Though I only had a relaxer for about 4 years of my life, those four years I really neglected the health of my hair. It was in those four years where I noticed I had fell victim to a chemical addiction. An unhealthy addiction at that. Though relaxers, if applied by a professional, can be quite safe, in the overhaul, the chemicals and fumes you may accidentally inhale during the application can be horrid! After I decided to cut out the relaxers, my lifestyle choices changed as well , and it was then that I was able to life a holistic healthier lifestyle. Or at least try!
4. I am thankful for the new friends and communities I have built on the road to happiness
During this natural journey, please trust me it was not easy. From the harsh stares, and the confused glares, it really takes a toll on a person’s psyche. Thanks to CurlyNIkki forums and a few trips to New York City, I was able to build a network of women who also took pride in their natural hair. They were so supportive and to this day I know I can always call on them to talk about the highs and lows in life. The thing about networks and communities is not the exclusivity based upon your characteristics but instead a place for individuals to feel included when the rest of the world tells you you’re different.
Being thankful shows gratitude to not only others, but to yourself as well. Please share your thoughts of Gratitude below! Or send me a tweet at http://www.twitter.com/nearlycia