new thread
Being here has really opened my eyes as to who I am and who all you guys are as well. Yes, we're all of different faiths or non-faiths, ethnicities, walks of life, and locations on this planet.
But the one that unites us is not just our decision to be a longhair. Its our courage to be a physical minority in a world where the overwhelming majority conform to the same short haircuts not because many of them like them I suspect but because "everyone else has them and I don't want to be a weirdo". I know for me personally, I have always admired long hair especially in grade school when I would stare longingly at the girls who had waist length hair whose parents obviously helped take care for. When I finally became old enough I made the controversial decision to grow my mane as well. Its been seven long and grueling years, but I now have all I've waited for. I still remember the crew cuts I was forced to get as a child and the dreaded awkward stage which for me lasted from years 1 through 3 of my growing journey. So I really can sympathize with all of you guys still caught in that phase! I see what your going through!
I also realized that there really is no easy street in life. And if you try to seek one out, you'll probably end up losing more in the long run. I'm learning to not surrender, that anything that is truly worth having is worth fighting for the hard way. My hair really is my faith, my source of strength. I really am a modern day Sampson. As long as I have my hair long(and I mean LONG not the pitiful shoulder-length maximum that the world "allows") I really do believe I have the perserverance to do anything.
Alot of the guys here are still at this stage or even just approaching it, it's a bit mean to say that, no? :o
But yeah the rest of your message seems alright, don't see how you could still be in an akward stage at three years though?
Perhaps it's called stuntiness awkwardness syndrome!
..."the overwhelming majority conform to the same short haircuts not because many of them like them I suspect but because "everyone else has them and I don't want to be a weirdo"."
Be careful not to judge others and think you understand their thought process. Truth is, not everyone sees hair in the same way we do. Maybe they like short hair. Maybe they just don't even care. That's fine, we should accept that and respect that decision, just as we'd like everyone else to do the same to us.
Eric H.
I think short hair is just so ingrained in our culture. It's often not a conscious decision to conform or anything, it's just so natural for someone who's used to getting a haircut every month to keep doing it. I think that's what makes a longhair unique, the conscious decision to do something different. It's hard to do and remain confident, especially during the awkward stage.
"I have my hair long(and I mean LONG not the pitiful shoulder-length maximum that the world "allows")"
Not all people can reach belt length like you so just be grateful for what you have and appreciate others!
Cheers,
John.B
LOL why does my message for unity always get picked apart for the minor details? [laugh]
I didn't intend to be a short-hair bigot or mean to say that those of you who are still in the awkward stage are at a pitiful hair length. I meant that for ME PERSONALLY, since I have been growing for seven long years(well eight years actually since I already started with a parted in the middle, above the shoulders cut in 2000 when I really made the decision to go for it all the way) and my mane is now at the waist length I've always dreamed of that shoulder-length for ME PERSONALLY is a pitifully short length. It would be erasing the last six or so years of my growing journey.
Now, getting back to my message I finally feel a sense of true belonging for the first time in my life. I'm glad to know that I have the support of every one of you here. [cheers]
I never knew the world only "allows" pitiful shoulder-length hair. There are many guys on this board right now at shoulder-length and I have yet to see one that looked pitiful to me. Besides, it is up to the individual how THEY desire to wear their hair and how short or long they want it, not to mention other obsticles that are out of their control that may get in the way.
I read what you said, and with my decision of becoming a long hair, I fit in very well with the world. I see a lot more long haired men nowadays compared to long ago, and not just at work.
Regardless
I know what your saying!!
I've been told that I should cut my hair to shoulder length. "You can still have your ponytail, it just won't be ridiculously long" That statement sums up exactly what the fashion police are thinking!
Bruce
Thank you Bruce! This is exactly what I meant to say, for ME PERSONALLY any length above lower-back length is too short for me since I've reached past that length more than two years ago. The waist length mane I have now is what I've always pictured myself as having and now that I finally have it, anything shorter would seem pitiful to ME PERSONALLY. Thank you again Bruce for getting me! <3