new thread
As you grow out your hair, you will realize at some point (or perhaps you already do) that
being a LONGHAIR is not a 'One Way street.'
When you think about it, there are TWO main parts to it:
Part A. The very PERSONAL part. This is when you made the decision to grow out your hair.
It takes so much courage, willpower and character to withstand ALL
the problems you are forced to encounter:
People's comments can sometimes feel like a tidal wave of negativity rushing toward you.
Family & friends may turn away from you (or turn ON you).
This has to be one of the toughest experiences there is. We all
want to be accepted (to a greater or lesser degree), so
who needs all the 'trouble' long hair seems to attract???
But something deep inside you says: "I want to do this." And
maybe you don't even know why!
Then there is all that self-doubting. "Maybe this isn't right for me, afterall."
Anyway, it's awful. Sometimes I think you need to be 'more of a man' than others will ever realize.
I KNOW it has made me stronger.
Part B: Once your hair is definitely in the 'LONG' category, you
will realize another important thing:
You HAVE to be willing to SHARE your hair with others. That is,
people will STARE at you sometimes. Can't blame them. Long hair
is definitely UNUSUAL and sometimes quite BEAUTIFUL to look at.
So, you have to be willing to allow others the pleasure of
ADMIRING your LOCKS.
And you WILL 'feel' their eyes on you when, for instance,
you are waiting in line at the store, eating out, sitting in a
movie theatre, or just out on the street.
SHARING your hair with the world just 'goes with the territory.'
But at some point--at just the right moment--
that can be a very nice experience indeed...
allowing others to actually see
a human MALE with LONG hair...
just the way nature originally intended him to be.
ANY COMMENTS? THOUGHTS?
Yes- very well thought out, Luckskind! I can just imagine that that must be what it feels like to truly have made your progress. At what point did you realize the "two-way street" thing?
I really like this part of you text; I know the feeling:
...people will STARE at you sometimes. Can't blame them. Long hair
is definitely UNUSUAL and sometimes quite BEAUTIFUL to look at.
So, you have to be willing to allow others the pleasure of
ADMIRING your LOCKS.
And you WILL 'feel' their eyes on you when, for instance,
you are waiting in line at the store, eating out, sitting in a
movie theatre, or just out on the street.
SHARING your hair with the world just 'goes with the territory.'
Thanks for sharing.
Complete admiration from one Artist to another regarding these thoughts.
100% Agreement!
So true. Quite often I am photographed even. I have some longhair friends, and while with one of them, sometimes people ask to photograph both of us. Two of my longhair friends cringe at the thought, while all the others, like me, celebrate the idea that others think they are cool enough to others that they want to take the time to photograph them. It's great fun to be with those guys when this happens - it's great to have others think you're awesome!
Picture Purged
Back in December 1999 I was in Stockholm on a work-related trip and one evening I went to the Sergel movie theater. After the movie I took a walk to the Central Station to buy something for dinner before taking the subway to the hotel. In front of the station I was asked by a young couple to pose for a picture together with them. The reason: a longhaired and bearded guy walking around in bare arms and sandals in below-freezing temperatures is not an everyday sight. After the picture with them they asked me to pose for a picture of my hair (from the back) and for another picture showing my bare arms.
A Linux Longhair
This has never happened to me. For some strange reason, people always want to hand me their cameras and have me photograph them. I could just kick myself because a few weeks ago that happened and I didn't bother to ask them to take my picture.
On the one hand, it makes me feel good that they see past my appearance and trust me with their equipment. Maybe they think I'm an artist or something. Just the other day, a salesman came into our office, gestured towards one of the paintings on the wall, and asked me if I painted it.
That happens to me sometimes. Usually it is on the top of this very hilly peak where I walk to most days. They want to have their picture with the city behind them, and the wind is always blowing from the ocean behind me.
I am the worst person on the hill to ask this favor of. If I am the one to take their photo, it will be full of swirling hair. [big grin]
I may as well post before this valuable analysis on the awkward stage and beyond are lost.
Thanks Luckskind for that great advice, thank you very much indeed :D
