Cutting hair

I cut my hair today. Well, my stylist cut my hair. It's pretty short. But cute, if I say so myself. (See notes on final line of blog.)

I'm a big believer in cutting hair. Religious convictions aside - I'll leave those between the individual and God - but hair can become an idol, a way to get our identity.

Women won't cut their long hair no matter how tired and frayed it looks for fear of losing their identity, or their husband's love. Young women might not cut their hair for fear of losing their identity, or beauty.

We had two lovely girls in youth years ago with gorgeous long hair - dark, sleek. They showed up one Sunday night, sheered, cut just below their chins.

I cheered for them. They were gorgeous. All these years later, they still are. One never grew her hair long again. She's had many different styles. The other grew hers long again and has never cut it. But she did once! Good for her.

We have to do it, ladies, take the plunge, cut our hair, face the challenge of not hiding behind our locks.

Same with men, I think. They can get just as vain or attached to their hair or beards as women.

Three times in my life I've cut my long hair short. Scary? A little. Freeing? A lot. I feel like I can change my appearance without losing my confidence, my identity, my beauty.

Sometimes we just have to say, "Change" and trust God.

Hair for some reason seems to be a huge symbol of change, of breaking free.

I knew a woman once with long hair, really long, and she refused to cut it. She claimed her husband didn't want her to, but knowing him, he would've supported any decision she wanted to make about her hair. I believe she was the one clinging. I came to understand her hair was her security, her mantle, her identity. But cutting it might have caused her to address other issues in her life she'd also been hanging onto since the '60s.

Then again, maybe not. I just wonder.

Now, don't go being a rebel and cut your hair to spite someone, or snub your religious views. But in my experience, cutting my hair has always freed me.

And, I look darn cute. (Did I mention how hard it is to take your own digital pic. And give grace, I was too lazy to put on makeup. Might as well take the vanity thing to the edge - cut hair and show the world with a naked face.)