Note: If you would prefer to view the vlog based on this same topic, please see the video below! ;-)
I have recently had
mixed emotions about the sudden "trend" of sisters wearing natural
hair as I have worn my hair natural for the majority of my adult life after
completing my first "big chop" when I was 15 years old -- before there
was ever a big chop to be had.
With recent
popularity, I found that I began to take a somewhat elitist stance on natural
hair, making me no better than the sisters who choose to go natural or even
rock a "bald head" because it's the current "in" thing to
do. I was no better than the hair care/beauty industries, magazines and
advertisers who are riding this new wave to capitalize on the trend.
I
had to take a step back and realize that, from pop culture to politics,
sometimes it takes a trend or a "fad" to generate change in the
hearts of even one person and in turn, that one person can be the spark that
revolutionizes the world.
So, who am I to keep
the trend from growing into a true way of life?
As I've grown as a
woman and a “naturalista”, I am dedicated to not only sharing with sisters
the truth that "good hair is healthy hair" and that natural hair is
healthier hair but that living a healthy lifestyle overall enhances our beauty
in ways that go well beyond the way we wear our hair.
I’m no “natural hair
Nazi” who feels that all women should wear natural hair. My concern is for
sisters who feel they can’t wear
natural hair and be beautiful; those who feel their hair has to be “relaxed” to be “good”. My issue is the same for sisters
who feel they have to wear make-up, weave, false lashes…
But this isn’t about them right now…
This is about us. This is about those of us who have
somehow managed to “recondition” our minds to understand that we don’t have to
maintain societal standards of beauty. This
is about our position and the power that we have to encourage those sisters who
are still growing in their hair journey.
How dare we take an
elitist stance on something that many of us struggled with ourselves? Many not
so long ago…
Most of us were raised
by generations of women who depended on lye, weaves and wigs to fit into European
standards of beauty. As sisters attempt to renew their thinking, they should not
feel alienated because they haven’t “arrived” to where you are in your natural
hair revolution!
As with any other area
of life, growth and revelation are an ongoing process. For those of us who have
found comfort and confidence in our own natural texture of hair, we should be
encouraging our sisters in every way possible to feel beautiful, regardless of their current position in
life.
We don’t want sisters
to fail to see all of the benefits and beauty that comes with being natural. We
don’t want our lifestyle to not be received, or even considered, because of an uppity,
belittling attitude towards those who are still growing with us. As with
anything, presentation is everything.
***Quick sidenote/example: I hate math.
Always have and I’m certain I always will. Regardless of how I feel about the
subject, math was an important part of my intellectual, scholastic and social
development.
As much as I disliked
math, I wasn’t a total failure at because every so often, I would be assigned
to a teacher who was willing to be patient and work with my non-mathematical
mind, presenting equations and formulas in a way that I would understand and
receive. Their angle made the difference. Many were able to make it so that I
actually enjoyed the class! Who would
have ever thought...?
So, bottom line: Get
over yourself. In all things you do, seek to inspire others to be their best
and to recognize the beauty that was planted within them when they were
created. Sisters have it hard enough without us tearing one another down.
May the trend continue
to grow and may the revolution begin with you! To my sisters considering going natural, welcome to the club! Don't stop til you get enough! *cues MJ*
I had to revisit this from last year! The Word of God stays TRUE! I declare: From this day on, I walk in revelation knowledge of the Word.
First of all, we cannot stay at home and reap. Just like a farmer cannot sow from sitting around doing nothing, neither shall he receive a harvest without action! Psalm 6:6-9 speaks to the life of the sluggard and shows us the truth that poverty will fall upon those who are unwilling to work.
With that being said, we must truly gain an understanding of this truth:
EVERY time we give, it IS given back to us! If we don't discern how we're receiving it, we will MISS the harvest!
1) Unexpected Income - We all like the idea of receiving random, unexpected money in the mail, but this is actually the LEAST of the harvest...however, it is VERY possible (I'm a witness!)
2) Favor - God speaking to somebody to do you good! Don't miss your favor! If you are a giver, SOMEBODY around you is trying to favor you! FOLLOW THE FAVOR!
The key to this is also one of the GREATEST areas of harvest that we can receive. If we don't have relationships with PEOPLE, how can God use others to extend His favor? We have to be in a position to receive and that always begins with our attitudes towards others.
3) Relationships and CONNECTIONS - Again, your harvest is in the hands of PEOPLE! If you don't discern your relationships...YOU'LL MISS YOUR HARVEST.
4) Opportunities - Open doors. When a GOD ORDAINED DOOR OPENS, WALK IN IT!
5) Ideas, Visions, Dreams and Plans - God will continue to bless us with ideas that can be used to build up the Kingdom. When we sow, God sees our level of spiritual maturity and sees that once we are obedient with a little.
6) Divine Obedience to Assignments - Give into the Kingdom! Whatever you give, YOU WILL PROSPER!
We so often miss our harvest because it comes in unexpected "packages". If you sow, ALWAYS look to receive your harvest! As with all things, practice discernment so you don't MISS IT!? Another word from Pastor Pitre: 'Be Seated'
Hi...my name is Nina, and I'm a Cancer. In this
truth, I recognize that I am an emotional, sensitive, energetic, loving,
nurturing being who has been known to hide in a hard shell (often a shell of
sarcasm) when trouble arises instead of dealing with my emotions. I’m that sister who seems to have it together
and be strong when really, I’m the type to cry over anything and my feelings,
get hurt easily.
“Cancer motto could be, "A good defense is
the best offense." Like a Crab in its cave, your attack can consist of
baiting your opponent into your territory. What appears to be a retreat to
others can be your best aggressive tactic. As you feel your way through life,
building your security by developing your home and family relationships,
remember that unexpressed anger can turn into resentment and depression, so
find someone you can trust and share your feelings.”
Your Biggest Strength: Your
ability to nurture others
Your Potential Weakness: Fear
of the past repeating in the future
Hi...my name is Nina and I'm a follower of Christ
and am filled with His Spirit. Because
of THIS
truth, I am learning that I must make a CONSCIOUS effort to walk according to
the Spirit, NOT the stars.
Even when dealing with the most painful feelings, I
am learning to walk in love, patience, kindness...to suffer long...to practice
self-control (to include emotional responsibility). This is not always easy
considering I’ve always been encouraged to express myself. In my adult life, I
still find myself seeking a balance between the best and the worst parts of me.
This is when walking according to the Spirit is evermore important.
Math
bears truth - Two plus two does indeed equal four.
Science
bears truth - Gravity is REAL.
The
moon circles the earth. Its pull raises the tide. Its cycle works within women
of a certain age.
This
is truth.
Astrology
bears truth. The stars continuously align while time as we know it continues on and with those alignments, energies from outside of us play a part in being who God created us to be.
The
difference between Nina who is a Cancer and Nina who is a child of God is the
Truth that I CHOOSE to live according to. No horoscope is going to tell me how my day is going to go when I live according to plan greater than what our natural mind can comprehend.
Just
because my mind doesn't fully understand the equations that make up mathematics, doesn’t
make their outcome any less TRUE.
Knowing
that my life does indeed align with the stars within Cancer, I also know that
my emotions cycle with the moon and that they ebb and flow as the water. In
knowing this truth I also know that I
must make a concerted effort to not allow the stars to rule me but to always be ruled
by the Spirit.
Let us
not make excuses for our emotional irresponsibility. Just as people use the Word to justify their
behaviors and ideals, women have been known to use PMS to act like the devil
once a month and people use the zodiac to their advantage…or the disadvantage
of others.
*puts on churchy voice* Choose ye this day...what will you allow to rule you?
