The Why and What For
History
I have had locks twice in my lifetime. Despite all that I know about them my initial reasons for getting them were very simple. I went to get my hair cut for junior prom (1995) and the dude cut me along my shape-up on the back of my neck….fellas ya’ll know what I’m talking about. Anyway I was leaving and I thought I pay these people every two weeks to cut my hair, it really needs to be done everyweek since my hair grows so fast. Then I get cut every once in a while, I have to sit and wait to be seen and I’d really rather have hair. So I said no more and I didn’t get my hair cut again until 1999 when it was past my shoulders. I cut the locks and let my man shape me and trim it down in his living room. I was determined not to let a stranger cut my hair again. The thing about hair, especially locks is it holds energy. Don’t think I’m getting to mystical (I am), but everything is energy and we take it in and let it out. Those bad feelings, the good ones…hell here’s a gross fact: anytime you smell something it means that small particles of that thing are entering your nose. Everything breaks down into a form of energy. Your hair being an extension of you, collects that energy. Which is why (beyond the rude aspect) you shouldn’t let people touch your hair. Especially locks, even water…I used to sound like a girl on the weekends when people would call and ask if I was stepping out. If I had washed my hair than that was dead. It usually took several hours for it to dry. Even if I wrung it out, toweled it and used the blow dryer at 2:00 pm I would wake up the next day with a wet pillow.
Living in the Now
So I cut my joints off in ‘99 and grew them right back. This was always interesting, to see the reactions you get from people with and without them. But anyway, alot of things have happened to me during this time. I’ve changed my perceptions of people and things, I’ve been from coast to coast. My goals have changed and so has my vision of what I want the world to be. So I need to make some changes and one of the biggest ones is that I need to let go off as much of the old things as possible. So the hair had to go. I had to leave all of the energy I’d collected behind me. You can’t take it all with you. This time I did it in a more ritualistic way. To the point of when it was gone I made a fire and burned it. Even down to the hair that was taken off in the barbershop. Another good reason to have someone you know do it. Luckily some of my people own a shop so I could get it done by someone familiar. So basically it’s a starting over. Leaving behind so I can move on with a clean slate. Some people understand, some have questions, some just say stupid things…like how professional I am now. None of this is for them though, it’s all about me and the choices and commitments I make in my life. It’s about my progression and advancement. I’m starting anew. To quote Ghost, “Elbows unique now me the new me.”
that book is a good book.
this post was profound.
I see it now.
Comment by God\'s Child — April 13, 2006 @ 6:16 pm
I got that same issue with strangers cutting my hair.i’ve only had maybe like 5-6 people cut my hair ever, my dad cut it till i left home. during university it reached a point where I just decided to buy myself a clippers and cut it myself when need be.
Comment by jdid — April 13, 2006 @ 8:42 pm
in my cirlce of friends, i’ve found 2 types of loc wearers. 1 - the self-righteous who doesn’t want anyone else having them. 2 - the “everyone should have locs” person who loves them & loves them on anyone else who may have them. i knew one person who felt it to be her duty to disect why someone had them. what’s the reason? how were they done? like it’s any of her business or concern. anyways. no point to putting that out there. so are you going to burn the locs you just cut? if so, please let me know, as i would like to bring the marshmallows & veggie dogs.
Comment by jackie — April 14, 2006 @ 1:00 pm
Talkin about dreads, I think they are sexy as all hell. One of my ex’s had dreads and I still remember the feel of them on my skin. mmm mmm good. (gotta get my mind from out the gutter this early in the a.m.)
But, really, I’m feeling the whole liberation thing. Do your thang man: shed it all away. I salute you!
Comment by dragonflypurity — April 14, 2006 @ 1:48 pm
i agree with about energy being absorbed in the locs. I used to have a girl who twisted my locs for me, but she had a bad energy around her so i stopped going to her. now i do my own hair. i won’t let anyone else do it unless it’s my mom or brother (both have dreadlocks).
that’s a good move, cutting the old energy away so that you can begin anew. it’s an unconscious burden we carry, old energy from place to place. sometimes that energy can block out future blessings.
with the major transition taking place in my life i might need to consider cutting my locs and starting over. i don’t look forward to it, but i think it must be done.
good luck with your transition.
Comment by nikki — April 14, 2006 @ 6:16 pm
thought about you this morning while watching an infomercial at 4am: Tears 4 Fears… “Everybody wants to rule the world”
Comment by Miss A — April 15, 2006 @ 6:05 pm
Awright already you cut your hair. Its a good look and the hair will grow back. work on a beard now.
and put up a post or two on the weekends you lazy bum. Your’e prah’lee chasing down some new young poon with your new haircut. B’Mores version of R.Kelly
Comment by Billy Sunday — April 16, 2006 @ 8:13 pm
R. Kelly? Ewwwww.
Comment by God\'s Child — April 17, 2006 @ 2:13 pm
NO R.KELLY!!!! I’ve always dug older women…I’m like the Dustin Hoffman in the gradute, but with more charm and experience. Plus I don’t get caught up.
Comment by amadeo — April 17, 2006 @ 2:17 pm
Love that book! When I cut my locs 2 years ago, I did it as a spiritual cleansing. I’m now in the reloc’ing stages.
And you look like one of the lost Blues Brothers in that pic.
Comment by Nikki — April 17, 2006 @ 8:09 pm
Amadeo = cougar hunter
Comment by Billy Sunday — April 19, 2006 @ 10:46 pm
Who gives a crap what people opine. In the grand scheme of things you’re grown, can do what you want, and don’t have to give people long winded explanations.
Plus, you look hotTER.
I lothe when people try to dictate that I should loc my hair again. I like it natural and fashionably unkempt.
Comment by coffey0072 — April 20, 2006 @ 1:36 am