Albertsons, Wal-Mart, and Ampro! Oh My!

It has been interesting to learn all of the unexpected lessons I have encountered on this natural hair journey. Because I do not have a particular destination, I am able to enjoy the stops and relish the glimpses I catch of the direction in which I am heading.

Seems like such a small thing, accepting one's hair and maintaining it as biologically intended. At this early stage of the game, only three months in, I expected that I would learn a lot about my haircare, but  not so much about me. I assumed that personal development and internal change would be seen in restrospect, as I reflected on the year of hair growth, rather than along each inch of the way, on any given day.

Last week, in an attempt to get the three school-age boys and Patrick to class on time, I decided to forgo make-up when geting ready to drop them off. "It's not like I am going in anywhere," I thought, "I won't even bring lipstick." Of course, we had to stop somewhere. Of course, I had to go in. Albertsons was  the stage for my au-natural debut.  An amazing feeling came over me as soon I walked through the automatic double doors and removed my Aviators. I didn't care.

What? Who? Me? I was astonished. Just over six months ago, I was in the proverbial funk because I ended up having to stay at a Dodge dealership for many hours and go into a Waffle House without lipstick. I had grabbed the wrong bag and only had a glittery Chapstick at my disposal. Yet here I was, no make up what so ever, shopping at Albertsons and beaming at my fellow customers. Did I learn from the experience that cosmetics are superficial and that true beauty lies within? Of course not. Am I now going to forego make-up in public on a regular basis? Hell no. I learned that although I have many beautiful friends and sisters who do not wear any make up, I am not one of those women. It's not because of societal standards or expectations, or a need to create an illusion of something I am not, rather I love to decorate. I love to paint. And just as there is not a wall in my red, black, purple, orange, yellow, fuschia, turquoise, lime, pink, chocolate, and cobalt blue colored house that does not bear my aesthetic, the same principle applies to my face. It's my daily canvas.

And I also learned that a little bit of self-acceptance goes a long way. While I prefer to have my powder,eyeliner, and lipstick in their designated areas before leaving the house, it's okay if they are not. I have the honor and priviledge of getting to wake up ME everyday, which far outshines cosmetics, clothes, shoes, well, okay...maybe not shoes, or anything else hat I superficially adorn myself with.

Three months of hair has taught me once again, never say never. I thought I would never shop at Wal-Mart. I thought I would never find Ampro at a San Tan Valley Walgreens, and I thought I would never be comfortable shopping sans make-up at a grocery store. I am fortunate to be wrong about all three.