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Wigging Out!
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This week, The Heart Beet reports straight from the beauty salon. Mary Kent wigs out, revealing why we all should donate our locks for a good cause!
 So, I have a confession to make. For years, I have been obsessed with my hair. I think it must run family deep into the lines of our family, as I can definitely remember my sister having some high school hair dramatics back in the day. I think it's a southern thing to be preoccupied with hair. I can remember my grandmother always went to great hair lengths to get her's done and would put this hair protection device over it after leaving the parlor to ensure a safe escape with no fly aways. There were definitely lots of curls in my family, but for some reason I was not blessed to receive any of those. Mine was always pretty straight. But as far as coifs are concerned, I never really wanted a Lady Di do or a Jackie O flip, I just really wanted long hair. I mean really long. Crystal Gayle-ish long with some waves or even like Ali McGraw in Love Story. For years, I worked to get it long. I combed it. I brushed it. I vitamined it. And, of course, I loved it. There were even times I would go nine months not getting it cut, thinking that would make it grow longer. And, grow it did. And for years, I did the same routine to keep it, well, pretty much looking the same. I'd get a layer or here cut in and maybe go for a bang that never really worked, but really it was just long and exactly how I wanted it. However, it wasn't until recently, I noticed that this hair loving was absolutely and utterly bringing me down. Every morning I'd wake up with knots that sometimes turned into tiny dreads. I'd spend thirty minutes just de-tangling my hair and doing every thing I could to put a brush through it. Some days, I'd even get out of the shower and not even brush it. I'd just pony it up and get on with my day. I was kind of seeing that I was starting to not like the hair I had worked so hard to get. My mother had even given up on the 'your hair is too long' statements, so, truly, I was left to my own taming of the mane. And, the longer it stayed, the more I stayed tangled up in my own long hair.
 But, today, something happened differently. Knowing that I was going to the hair salon, this morning I remembered once that the fabulous Lindsay Newton at Carmen Carmen who has been cutting my hair in Charlotte for about 6 years had once laughed saying, 'Maybe one day we can send all of this to Locks of Love?' She was obviously joking, as she knew damn well I was never going to part with my locks. She knew how obsessed I was with my long hair and there was no way in hell I was ever going to give it up. She would always tease me, as she could see me tense up the minute I sat down to get even the slightest trim. But, today was different. I was receiving some courage for other realms. Maybe it's because I've had a hell of a couple of months recently and do believe the best way to get through our struggles is to do something wonderful for someone else. Or, maybe, I was just feeling the need to start anew. All I knew is that the locks I had always dreamed of, that were here and causing knots galore, were perfectly timed to get going. I was making the choice to donate them to someone who needed them alot more than me. I did a little research and found Locks of Love and Pantene's Beautiful Lengths, two companies who are making wigs for cancer patients. Locks of Love needed 10 inches of hair to make a wig and Pantene needed 8 inches to make a wig. Of course, I opted for the shorter one and chose Pantene.
 I definitely put Lindsey to work, as I normally sit in the chair completely afraid of losing my long hair saying, 'OK, let's take off a half an inch." (when it clearly needs three) But, today was different. Lindsey looked at me completely in shock, as I came in with a mission. I sat down in the chair with a print out of where I needed to send my hair to donate and said, "OK, I'm giving my hair away today." I actually have to say I have even shocked myself. Some force came over me and I literally didn't even think about what I would look like with short hair. All those fears and anxieties of looking like a Mom or a frumpy thirty something just didn't have any control over me. I didn't care about my hair anymore. I wanted all the time I had spent taking care of it to go to someone else. Lindsay measured up two 8 inch length pony tails precisely and with two snips the hair was ready to be sent out. When I held up my soft pony tails, I could see that all the time I had spent loving on my hair was exactly what I needed to do for it to be given to someone else. The knots and the pains of taking care of it arrived just when it was time to be given away. Pantene Beautiful Lengths is a program partnered with the American Cancer Society that makes real hair wigs for cancer patients, who try to maintain a sense of normalcy during their fight against cancer. Patients can get a free wig by calling the American Cancer Society at 1-877-227-1596. If you are interested in donating your hair, you can click here to read more about the process!
I can honestly say I left Lindsay feeling lighter and brighter with less hair and less weight on my back. There is something wonderfully liberating about getting rid of the old and allowing the new to grow in. And, there is something even more amazing about giving something away for someone else to use to heal. So, I kissed my ponies goodbye, prayed a healing prayer over them, and sent them on their way to be made into a wonderful, wig for someone who needs a new look a lot more than me. I'm so proud I conquered my fear of short hairs, especially in order for someone else to wear them. I can't say I love my short hair yet, but I'm learning just to let it all go, adjust to change, and trust that it will all grow back in time. I do believe in that.
It's time to let your locks go! Give them up for someone who really needs them! Don't miss a Beet. Stay tuned for next week.
PS. Check out Locks of Love!
PSS. Check out Pantene's Beauty Lengths Program!
PSSS. I'm into Forgiveness these days! Check out Radical Forgiveness.
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