Going natural

When saying, ‘go natural’ there are a multitude of thoughts that enter.  We could be talking food, clothing, and even living off the land.  In this case, I am referring to my hair.  My high school boyfriend found my first gray hair when I was just 17.  Twenty years later (it sounds like a long time, but really went fast), I had been dying my hair for a few years because I didn’t want to look that old.  I guess between my genes and having four babies, whatever produces hair color, was phasing out pretty quickly!  I felt like I looked ancient.  It didn’t make me feel good about myself so I began with highlighting, then that wasn’t even enough.

I was also caught up in the ‘young look’ culture that was so popular at the time.  (maybe still is)  Even with my hair colored, I wanted it to look as natural as possible.  Some part of me didn’t like the thought of hiding my true self, which is what it felt like I was doing at times.  I think I had a really good reason though, don’t you?  35 is too young to look like a Grandma!  I was hiding a lot of other ways as well (tell ya later).

First grandchild. I’m still coloring my hair.

Well, now I am a Grandma and another twenty plus years has slipped by.  Six months after my first granddaughter was born I began the process of allowing my hair to grow out naturally.  Even though it was short (and my hairdresser helped with reverse highlighting to keep it from looking like I had a giant stripe down the middle of my head), it still took six months to grow out.  I had encouragement from Liana Chaouli, a couturieur from Los Angeles, who believed in me.  Through her tutoring I have braved this step.  She doesn’t necessarily encourage everyone to do this, but for me it was a reclaiming of a part of myself.  I had tried to be too young for too long and needed to step into being mature.  It’s not that I wasn’t mature.  I am a quiet, reserved person, so I don’t come off as being immature.  I guess it’s hard to describe – even to myself!  My very first step in this process was to respect and love myself enough to take action and DO SOMETHING!  I continue on this path, even after seven years.

It’s been almost a year since I started the growing-out or is it growing-up process.  It involves taking even more responsibility for my personal growth; stepping up to take charge when the situation warranted rather than stepping back and waiting for others to.  It involves learning new things (like technology) even if I’m not comfortable with it.  I even joined Toastmaster’s so that I could grow in giving through speaking.  And all because of the color of my hair?  Well, not totally.  As I said before, I’ve been on this path for over seven years: reclaiming health, reducing my size, regaining confidence, and working on myself in many ways so I can be fully who God has called me to be and to help others with this path.  It is my purpose to help people see their own bright light and manifest it greater every day.

I have lightened up in more ways than just my hair.  I guess that’s just the finishing touch so that what’s inside can truly shine.  I see clearer inside myself now.  I see others gifts clearer as well, and then help them see the magnificence in themselves that only they have.  Each one of us is so unique.  Ever wonder why God made us that way?   God is so multi-faceted that He needs each of us living our light fully to show the splendor that He is.  Just as nature shows His splendor, so do we.  I encourage you to live your brilliance today.

Here is the picture of me with my white hair.  When she shot this picture I was actively thinking about listening to and helping my clients to bring out their light.  I am all in and excited to help you.  Leave a comment and tell me what you have been hiding that you want to show again.

My granddaughters, Anna and Elena

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She is so precious in her new owl hat and leg warmers with the cute boots! 

They are both so precious to me and I wanted to share their sweetness with you.  Really take a few minutes and look in their little faces.  Absorb how that makes you feel.   Take a nice slow breath.  Relax.  Unload the distractions and just set them aside for a moment.  Connect with the part of you that makes you feel like these little faces.

Yes, what you see there is also in you.  That’s why you can feel it. 

I just want you to enjoy that for a moment.

Much has happened in the last year or so that has forever changed my life.  These two special little people rate at the top.  They have made me a grandma and it’s a very special name for me. I even changed my hair, and that’s a topic for another blog…

The other ways my life has changed has to do with my journey to continue to be able to be the best I can (never-ending, I admit).  The reason I push myself to do this is to be in service to those who want to have God play a bigger part in their life and to really shine as He has intended for us to do.   I know what it’s done for my life so far, and how profoundly it can play out in yours.  We cannot really shine if we are stressed and overloaded with life’s cares.  At least I was able to distract you for a moment with these sweet pictures.

My point here is that you do have this within you, whenever you stop to focus on it. 

If nothing else, you can begin to love that part of you.  Giving ourselves love and respect are the basic stepping stones to improving our lives.  Here’s a baby step:  A very simple thing to do (right now and today) is to find a saying or verse that reminds you of how really wonderful you are  and want to be, (whether you believe it right now, or not!).  Make it short so you can remember it.  You might even have one already!  If you need to, write it on a post-it note and carry it with you so you see it often.  We all need reminders!  You need to remember EVERY MOMENT what a wonderful person you are that God made.  Just like these little ones, inside you is your very own purity, beauty and light that is a reflection of God.  My mission is to have you see your own light, then bring it out ever stronger.  Isn’t that God’s wish for our lives as well?  Think of the babies and your ‘saying’ and be a light in this world today.  Contact me to learn more:  dream@light-r-u.com

She is always attentive and learning, and look at the tenderness!