A New Beginning

Well my new journey has begun........It officially began on Thursday, May 21, 2009, when I ditched the wig and embraced my natural hair. My heart and mind began to change its way of thinking a couple of years ago when I become more and more dissatisfied with all the extra stuff I was doing to look 'nice' and I looked 'too put together'. I got a rude awakening about processed hair awhile ago, so I thought that I was doing my hair justice by keeping it braided in cornrows while wearing wigs or keeping it braided with extensions. I have basically neglected the health of my hair ALL my life, and I was tired of it. But what was I suppose to do, I never had to take care of my own hair, so I didn't have a clue as to what product to use or what I needed. I found a wonderful lady (Ms Debra) who concentrates soley on natural hair care, and Thank God, she was able to help me. A little over a year ago, I went into her shop and had a discussion with her about my hair (which was all virgin at this point), and she gave me advice on what steps that I should take.............BUT, I didn't take her advice and after wearing my hair out in an afro for about 3 weeks, I caved and went back to what I knew best - wigs! You see, I didn't know how to handle the transition, and to be honest, it was just TOO much work. I thought it would be easy wearing an afro, but I didn't realize at the time that my hair was so damaged and dry and in need of special care and treatment. I thought all I had to do was put some grease on it, pick it out and go.......well, that is all that I would have to do if I allowed Ms Debra to help me nurture my hair back to health first.....so what did i do? I braided my hair in cornrows and wore wigs for about 2 months before getting kinky twist. This went on until March 2009 at which time I knew that this way was the end of the road for me and I had already made up in my heart and mind to step out and embrace my natural beauty. However, I was shocked at the condition of my hair and that nice fro' that I had last year was gone! My hair broke off and shedded over that year and was in critical condition. So I went back to Ms Debra and she gave me some hair butter and I went for a couple of deep conditioning treatments. This initial process started shedding out the damaged hair and On May 21st, I got two-strand twist. It is short, but I am ok with that because I have always been able to sport long or short styles. Many have told me that I would look really nice with a boy cut. So, I am very excited first and foremost that for the first time in my life, I am actually taking care of my hair and it is getting stronger and healthier everyday. Secondly because I no longer confined by perms, braids, kinky twist, or wigs. I don't have to feel ashamed of my hair, but rather be proud of who I am and what I am accomplishing. Black woman in my opinion are the most beautiful people on this planet and we should embrace what God has blessed us with instead of hiding it like it is a dark family secret. I hear my sistas say too many times, "My hair is just too nappy", or "I can't do anything with this hair unless its permed"....but my rebuttal is this, have you given the time and care to that 'nappy' hair? And do you realize that you are keeping your hair strung out on perm and not giving it the nourishment that it deserves. Anyway, that is not my concern, my focus is on growing a healthy head of hair and teaching my 11 year old daughter that she and her hair is beautiful just the way it is without any "extra help". I want her to grow up comfortable in her own skin and hair and not thinking that she would be a better person if she had long straight hair. My main picture was taken shortly after I had my hair twisted, although you can't see it up close, there will be more pics to come. I will also post a picture of my afro a year ago and keep updates on my progress.