October 24, 2011

Haircut


My hair is one thing that has always received praise. No matter how heavy I got, the hair was still "so pretty". The one thing that I knew was accepted and approved of by the world was my hair, so the longer the better. The more covered in goodness and prettiness I felt. Sad. What a false sense of self! That without my hair there was nothing of worth about me? I mean, that seems kind of dramatic, but that is the bottom line.

This weekend I went in for"just a trim", of course, but as I was sitting there these words that I had read earlier in the week about who I really am came to mind:

"You are a child of God. You are the Bride of Christ. You belong to the King--you are royalty. Dress and conduct yourself in a way that reflects your high and holy calling. God has called you out of this world's system--don't let the world press you into it's mold. Don't think, dress, or act like the world; inwardly and outwardly, let others see the difference he makes in your life." Nancy Leigh DeMoss

I realized that I would really like to cut my hair short, but the idea scared me because of the reasons I stated above. Going against what felt safe, I told her to keep cutting. When I had to close my eyes and cringe as the scissors began to do their work, I realized just how out-of-hand this had gotten. My hair had become some kind of false security. Cool thing? The more she trimmed, the more liberated I felt. The shorter and shorter it got, the more I felt that I was coming out of hiding. I actually left the salon, decided I needed more of it gone, went back and got the rest of it whacked off!

I can't really explain this experience. It was so refreshing. I'm not suggesting that everyone run out and get their hair cut off, that's totally not the point. The point is, are we hiding? Are we hiding behind things that we think are protecting us, but in reality they are doing no such thing.

I think its possible that what we need to lose more than anything else, are the ideas that have been etched on our hearts by the world. Be yourself and don't be afraid to be different! Don't be afraid to let go of something that you've been holding onto for a very long time. What if the truth is that it's actually holding you?



What false beliefs do we use to hide our REAL selves? Please share!
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23 comments:

Mrs. S. said...

Love! Love! Love!

Stacey said...

Super cute! I love it!

Lisa said...

Looks great on you!

Sarah said...

Love the new cut!

Anonymous said...

Great insights--and great courage!

What am I holding on to? Funny you should ask. :} I've been thinking about just that for the past week or so. It has been reflected in my last few posts, sort of.

I'm working on losing the belief that if I'm not losing weight, if I'm not at goal weight, then I am abviously flawed...not good enough..in error...living below expectations.

Call it what you will, I've let the world's idea that what I weigh indicates what/who I am. And the world finds me wanting.

Which means that to be okay, I have to be solely, narrowly, fiercely focused on LOSING WEIGHT. If I let up focus for an instant, there is something wrong with me.

I don't think that is where God wants my foucs to be. I'm pretty sure that He wants that intensity of focus to be only on Him.

I'm also pretty sure that no one has to stand on the scale before God decides to move thru them. Pretty sure...

Deb

Becky in East Texas said...

So cute!

Lisa said...

LOVE IT! You do really have beautiful hair! And it looks great short or long :)

AJ @ trulylifeinwords - said...

Oh...not a good post for someone contemplating a serious hair cut. I'm on the fence, I'll have to think about what you posted and see if I have a barrier to break through.

BTW, I love the new do, it sets off your smile!

Absolutely, Positively Josie said...

Looks GREAT! Your hair would, no matter what you did, though. But this is nice. Love it. You look like the younger sister of those progress pictures.

<3

Absolutely, Positively Josie said...

. . . and great insight as well, I agree! The hair could stand in place of almost anything, in anyone's life. "I'll never . . . ." That always keeps me hiding.

Tiffany said...

Gorgeous!!! Love it!

Cindy said...

I've been reading your post for a month now and it's now a daily read. First time I've commented. I am so excited for you to have exercised the courage to make a change like this. It's not about the hair (which is cute, by the way!)...it's about claiming your own identity and shaking off a comfort zone. How proud you must be of yourself! I know that God is smiling. Brave woman. :)

Angela Cody said...

Your hair is super cute!
And I love my hair, so I will forego the super short look. :~) I have done short, but I don't think hair is what I am holding on to.

Very good and very insightful!

kelly said...

Love it!

SkinnyMeg said...

Oh my gosh, it's adorable!! Good for you for being brave, it totally paid off :)

Kristin Hope said...

I LOVE it! You look absolutely gorgeous. So cute!! :)

Kate said...

I cut my hair short for quite awhile in my sobriety. It was defiance against fitting in the "box" of same-ness. Today, I am growing my hair out. Not because I need to. But because I want to. It no longer defines me. And I am no longer hiding behind my long curls. YOu get it. You totally get it. And I'm glad for your change.

Unknown said...

Absolutely stunning !

Great insights! :)

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

Short hair suits you! It really highlights your pretty eyes and smile! Looks great girl and what a powerful message your post was.

SkinnyGirlSetFree said...

Even though I'm late on this.....I love your short new 'do! I'm debating cutting mine or growing.... it's in between.....I can't decide - BUT, your hair is kinda swaying me toward short!

I hope you're doing well!

Emily said...

Can I just say, that even if you are not losing weight, you should keep blogging on life. I like you writing style and miss getting glimpses into your life.

I'm not sure what has happened that has caused you have a lapse in blogging, but I hope you are doing okay.

The title of your blog is REAL Fat.... and I hope you can still be real with your fans.

Take Care.

Anonymous said...

Hey, girl. It's been 5 weeks. Are you okay?

At first, I thought you may have been having "haircut remorse" or having trouble staying on track with eating.

Now, I'm worried that you've been hit by a bus and are connected to tubes in a hospital bed....

Please check in.

Deb

Kari@Onederland said...

Can I just say that I LOVE your hairstyle! And I love your blog too! I've been following for a while now.