new thread
Thanks so much everyone, I realized I should never have made that post to begin with! After so much support in my 33 month update pictures (and I was on such a high!), to get this negative comment, from a woman poster, did feel like a big slap in the face and a big shock, hence I posted without taking the time to seriously sit back and reflect. I should have realized, when I got over 30 positive comments, and only this one negative one, that it was wrong of me to even bring this subject up. Interestingly enough, when I read your replies to my post, I noticed that one of the other guys here got a similar negative remark from the same poster, possibly she does not like long hair on men. If I could take back that post, I would.
Anyway, thanks again, I really appreciate the support, don't worry, I will NOT cut it, this has given me an even greater resolve to ignore these remarks.
David
Excellent..good decision...never let someone elses' comments affect how you present yourself.
Could you imagine if all the great explorers, scientists, researchers, astronomers, physicians, etc. listened to the negative, disparaging comments that inevitably came their way?
Magellan: "I'm going to sail around the world and prove it's round."
Detractor: "The world's not round!!! You'll never make it..."
So the same it is with you. Keep it growing.
P.S. - I put some beard tips for you further down the board.
Bragi
You always have such a wonderful, philosphical way with words, Bragi, don't worry, I plan to keep up the growing. Thanks for the beard tips, this is going to be an interesting journey.
All the best,
David
You know, if you really think about it, society for some reason doesnt want people to be who they really are. I mean in Western society men is supposed to have short hair and women can have any hair. Then again if you try to please everyone you will never be happy because you always have to do it at your expense. I think if you really feel that your hair bothers you you can always braid ir or something and they are less perminent than cutting.
I think most of us have periods (some as short as two seconds in length) in which we feel like cutting our hair would be the best thing. I am glad you've decided to keep your hair, and may you decide the same if you have any more periods of doubt (of which I hope there are none). Just remember that, as you said, some just don't like long hair on men.
David, I think you need to find some way to BELEIVE in yourself and go with your convictions. If you can carry on the journey with a strong mind without our affirmation that you are taking the right road then you will be much happier and at peace with your hair.
If you change it for other people and expect them to offer positive vibes to you, forget it, it won't happen, they will just move onto someone else and you will be left with a confused mind and short hair.
Somehow try not to analyse yourself so much, I have no idea whether people really like my hair or beard and don't really care. I love it, I feel great with it and I will continue my journey. My mum moans at me, workmates make comments about the wild/tramp look, but this is RIGHT and thats the way it will be for me, no negative comment has ever put me off, in fact it only makes me stronger, and I just reply "you're wrong".
Go with your heart David.
Good reply nuttidave. My thoughts exactly. To thine own self be true.
Vince
No apology needed. That's what we all are here for.
It's been said that growing long hair involves as much growth under the scalp as above it. When you have long hair, you've been growing it a long time, and over a long period of time you are bound to get negativism about your mane. It's merely a matter of the odds, if nothing else. The growth "under the scalp" that we get is a slow evolution in our attitudes about our own self-worth and how we will not let others control us. A long-time longhair would just shrug any such comments off, and in time such comments mostly cease because people can tell they'd be wasting their breath on you.
Men who succumb to pressures from others, even occasionally, end up without a mane. Your mane speaks to your steadfastness in your journey.
Our having made the journey you are making is part of what defines us as longhairs and assures we have our unique culture. We have traveled the road you are traveling now, and many of the stereotypes we do face reflect the truth that we have come to own ourselves. Bosses want to feel they own you, for example, and your mane constantly reminds them that they don't. A long mane reminds others that no one has owned you in years.
It looks like you got a growth spurt under your scalp this week, David! Congratulations!
Bill
no appologies needed David , now you now that you should grow it still longer ^^
Cya :)
I'm a bit late on all of this, but I DID see the shorthaired picture of you, and while I'm aware that taste is a very subjective thing, I'm almost shocked that she feels you'd look better with short hair. To me, long hair suits you a jillion times more. Of course, that's just my opinion, much like hers, so it's what you think that counts in the end. Never let one comment bring you to your knees, and live your life to the fullest, which, in our cases, most likely involves the fullest manes we can get, as well.
Peace
I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for encouraging me to continue on my journey to grow my hair long.
Pausing to reflect, receiving this negative comment from this poster has actually been a positive thing for myself as a person. It has caused me to grow in ways that are not simply about growing hair, but to really reflect on who I am as a person, and has made me a lot stronger because of this. I realize now (as Bill said with so much wisdom), it is about "growth under the scalp", and as Bill said, I have experienced a growth spurt under the scalp this week. This is something many of us as longhairs go through, and I have experienced that this week.
Thanks again,
David