Well, yesterday marked 2 months without putting any new relaxer on my head! So far, I'm making it okay. I need a trim so my hair isn't holding any style well but it's not so bad for now. Now, I realize that I still have a lot further to go in this journey. My hair feels dry and I have to laugh because it's probably in shock without new relaxer in it but I'm happy. I know that this relatively short period of time of transition will yield years of healthy and happy hair! I have been hearing a lot about Deign Essentials for the hair. I bought some Carol's Daughter cream moisturizer. Maybe I put too much in my hair but it make it feel a little oily. Not blaming the product, just the user!

Now, for my nails. Another journey. I was told about Nail Life which can be purchased at Sally's. I'm going to use hat and will keep my nails shorter. Here are a couple of pictures of them. Brace yourselves:

The first has what appears like some white film over the nails. That's simply the product (No Chip stuff) that couldn't be totally taken off The next picture shows my nails with the Nail Life on them. It's like a clear polish. The good thing is that you can see the new growth toward the bottom of my nail beds so it's only a matter of time before my nails are strong and healthy. Until then, they need the TLC.

Now, for the skin care. I can't WAIT until our SOul PUrpose skincare line comes out! It'll start shipping next month. Many of the products are based in Vitamin C. We also have other awesome products in it, like the Rose Water and Glycerin elixir. I just can't wait. The Caudulie products that I have been using are almost out and I'm not buying another thing until my skincare comes from SOul PUrpose! Ooh, I love this company!

Moving Right Along

March 23, 2012. I have that day written down as a significant day, although I wasn't aware of it when it occurred. That was the last time that I received a touch up. I went back to get my hair done last weekend and advised that I only wanted color. I also got a deep conditioner but now relaxer. So we're moving on! Here's a picture of my hair the day after it was done:

Looking healthy and shiny! My hairdresser was pleased with the fact that he was able to get it fairly straight. Of course, there isn't much new growth yet so I haven't even really begun the journey yet. Well he hasn't either, I suppose. So, we'll go through this together. I've got back ups, just in case, though. I am enjoying talking with people about their experiences. I feel like I've joined a new family, in a way. And my appetite for information on transitioning the hair and natural hair care if insatiable!

For the record, I have the names of several places that can do "natural" hair to get it pretty straight, if you are looking for a straight hairstyle. They are:

1) Maxine's on Rush: Quiana or Michelle. Supposed to be good but prices are high.
2) Bella Mia, South Loop: Don't recall the stylist's name but she's supposed to be pretty good.
3) Nina's, Matteson
4) Yehia, various locations: I'm concerned about the amount of heat that they use. They also use Brazilian straighteners but I'm concerned with the formaldehyde in it.
5) Law's Concept, Bronzeville
6) AJES, West Loop: Known for doing natural hair but high prices
7) Toss, South Loop: Of course I'm going to mention them because I've been with Robert since 1996! I don't know if he does a lot of natural hair but I know that John does (straight styles) as does another women in there who does dreads and twists.

I've also read that Carol's Daughter has a new line of shampoos and conditioners that are good for hair in transition. May check it out!

Now, the nails! I feel liberated, of sorts! I removed the no-chip manicure. Verdict: I LOVE how it makes my nails look but I can't keep it on too long. Makes the nails weak. Here's how they look right now:

I'll keep on getting regular manicures to help to build them back up but I'm probably going to check out salons that specialize in natural nail care.

Onward and upward!

Wow! I have to laugh because it looks like I end up writing on my blog for a little bit and then put it down for a year before picking it up again. Life happens. Conflicting priorities, etc. Either way, here it is, almost a year later, and I'm writing again! LOL!

It's a little bit different from the last time. I was trying to journal a bit but not with a purpose. More so, to just express thoughts. Now, I'm on a mission. I'm still trying to muster the courage to maintain the commitment to this but I'm going to do it, some way. My "mission" is to move more towards the natural. What do I mean? No I'm not going all the way, giving up everything synthetic. In today's age, it's a bit difficult to avoid that. But I am being more conscientious about some things and that does call for change from some of the "processing" that I have endured for so long.

So, here's a picture of me that was taken around 4:00 pm today. Not particularly my most shining moment. I look worn out. My hair looks crazy, skin is dull and lifeless. Nails look like claws. No, I'm not being hard on myself. I'm just being real and recognizing the need for change. So, that's what's going to happen. Change is a-coming.

First, I have decided to grow the perm out of my hair. The relaxer has taken it's toll and I have breakage in various spots. It's a hard call because I've had a relaxer for so many years (30+) but I'm seeing people who I know who have grown their relaxers out and their hair looks so healthy. It's maintenance but I know that it will be worth it when I can get through it. Now, I'm not a totally natural gal. I still intend on wearing straight hairstyles. I don't see myself in braids, twists or dreadlocks (although I find nothing wrong with those dos). They simply aren't my style. But there are hair stylists who specialize in styling hair without relaxers and it looks like the people have relaxers after they are done! I'm going to see if my hairdresser will work it without breaking my checkbook! Otherwise, I have done some research and found the names of some others who specialize in this. So I've got options. Oh, and I will be coloring the gray! Not ready to sport it yet! I have been using a cellophane. We'll see if that will work on the gray without a relaxer.

Second, I have been getting a "no chip" manicure since the beginning of the year. While I love how it looks, I've decided to go back to my natural nails. Thus the reason why I'm showing them now. Because they will look very different within the next couple of weeks.

Third, I will be using the Soul Purpose skin care line as soon as it comes out in June. The one for normal to oily skin has a Vitamin C cream in it which will help with my complexion. And we will have a gentle fade cream in the collection which will help with the dark spots. I'll still use medication from the dermatologist until my skin is back in order but I will be using the other products to help with this in the meantime. And I have started my mission to drink 64 oz of water a day, which will work wonders on the skin.

So, between all of this, eating better, getting rest and exercising, I should look much better! Easier said than done. That's why I call this a journey. My blog will highlight my challenges and triumphs as I make my way through!

Can't wait to keep you filled in on it all!

Farewell

"I shall wear a crown,
I shall wear a crown
When it's all over....

I'm going to put on my robe,
Tell the story how I made it over."

I love that song. Whenever I hear it, I think of the fact that someone's life is over but they know that they are on to a better life eternally in heaven. The life will be so glorious, in fact, that they will wear a robe and crown. Majestic. They end their lives here on earth victoriously and go on to everlasting life royally and triumphantly.

Yesterday and today marked the "end" for some but I say that they learned their lessons, triumphed victoriously and are going on to triumphant new beginnings now. The biggest "end" that comes to mind for me is the end of the Oprah Winfrey show. After 25 years, Oprah has truly become a legend. So influential has she been that anything that she touched was guaranteed to make money. The Oprah effect. She went to a bakery outside of Chicago and mentioned a pastry that she loved there. They couldn't keep up with the demand for this pastry afterward. All because Oprah liked it. Amazing.

I have grown accustomed to knowing that Oprah was on the air and, while I didn't always watch the show (I didn't always find interest in the topics or guests), I always had the comfort of knowing that she was going to be on at 9:00 am CST and again at 11:00 pm CST. I looked forward to laying in bed to watch her on my days off. She was just like a trusted friend in that sense - always around. At the end of her 24th year, though, she announced that she was going to end the show after 25 years. We knew the entire season that this time would come but many were still saddened once the end finally came. But Oprah ended the talk show talking about the lessons that she learned over time. Aha moments. That people need to be validated. That education can change lives, etc. I remember when she decided to change the format from the "who's the baby's daddy?" genre to something more constructive. She grew as her show grew and her fans reaped the benefits. The show is over now andt Oprah wears her crown and robe, knowing that she is going on to continue to do great things. Oprah will now run her own network, the Oprah Winfrey Network. She will continue to do philanthropic activities. I know that we haven't heard the last from her. She ends something to begin something bigger.

And then, today, the Chicago Bulls lost the series against the Miami Heat. This will mean that the Heat and the Dallas Mavericks will play in the NBA Championship. The season is over for the Bulls. They need to hold their heads high. Put on your crowns and robes, Bulls! By all accounts, they shouldn't have made it to the playoffs, let alone to being just short of making it to the championship! In the process, we crowned the youngest NBA MVP in history, Derrick Rose (22 years old). We have a team that has learned to play through injuries, naysayers and, perhaps, a little insecurity in their abilities. But they have learned that they CAN win! We didn't get swept! In fact, we played very well against the likes of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and other veterans. The team will be fine! We end this season but look forward to what's to come in the future.

To quote Oprah, "To God be the glory". Well done, Oprah and the Bulls. Well done.

Change

"A change, A change has come over me" Those are some of the lyrics from one of my favorite songs, Changed, by the late, great Walter Hawkins. Thinking of that song brings to mind the fact that we all go through changes at some point in our lives. Some of them may seem to be negative and some more positive but I believe that you can find a lesson in all change and, if you learn the lesson and apply it to your life, then change becomes a great thing.

I realize that I'm going through some change right now. I have been at my present company for almost 5 years. In the same office, same building, some of the same clients. I just moved to a new building and will be transitioning in the next two weeks from those very clients who I have had since I started at the company. I realize that it could be scary because it's new but I do have the comfort of having already gotten acquainted with many of my new clients and I'm working with people who I know and like. The bigger change will be in my daily routine. I'm used to driving to work, taking the elevator upstairs to my office and working there until time to leave. Now I'll drive to work, get on a shuttle bus, take the elevator up to work and then shuttle back to the other building to get in my car when I leave. So I'll be on more of a schedule (it's a long walk or cab ride if you miss the last shuttle), which I haven't truly had to do in a while.

But here are the good things with this change. I'll have to learn to work more efficiently to ensure that I've accomplished my goals before I leave. I'm in the heart of the Loop in Chicago again. I haven't worked in the heart of the Loop since 2001. I'll again be in the heart of the action - the pulse of the city. While we had a fitness center in the old building, I'm close to a health club in this new building that has better class hours for me so, instead of trying to run downstairs for a 5:15 pm class, I can take one at 5:30 pm or 6:30 pm if I'm not able to go during my lunch period. And being in the heart of the city means that I'll be closer to other people so I can do more networking after hours for my Soul Purpose business. So, the change may seem a bit inconvenient and unnerving but, in the end, the change is good.

I recently learned that one of my Soul Purpose sisters has decided to leave the company. I'm saddened because she has been encouraging to me since the beginning. I remember when she made it to Diamond Executive. I told her that I wanted to make it, too, and she said that I would. And she was one of the first to congratulate me when I did make it. She's such a joy, a ray of sunshine. But she needed change. So, while we will be working in different businesses now, we'll still keep in touch. I'm praying for her prosperity as I'm sure that she's praying for mine.

This is not the first time that Soul Purpose has endured change. We lost one of our highest ranking consultants earlier this year. I remember wondering what it would mean for the company. I realize, now, that it just meant that we were going through change, a metamorphosis, if you will. It meant that we were growing and sometimes growing can be painful. But we are still here, going strong, and getting better as we grow and learn our lessons.

A caterpillar turns into a cocoon before it becomes a beautiful butterfly. A strong jumping frog begins as a tadpole with no legs from which to propel. As these insects and animals change through life, we must do the same. It may not be comfortable. It may even get ugly at times. But the end result can be a thing of beauty!

Praise Him...any how, any how!

I love gospel music. The rhythm and vibe not only speak to my soul but the lyrics often prove to be a testimony for me during different times in my life. Sometimes the lyrics are scripture. Sometimes, they are just reflection of what the songwriter was feeling at the time when he or she wrote the song. Either way, the music resonates to me in so many ways.

There is a song that was written a while ago. I don't remember the lyrics, title, composer - none of that! I remember that the tune was catchy and that the basic theme of the song was to praise God at all times no matter the circumstance. Praise Him any how, any how!

During particularly rough times in my life, I have often wanted to throw in the towel. I remember looking for a job when I decided that it was time for me to leave my last company. I started looking in December, 2005 and it took me until November, 2006 - almost a year later - to find a new job. I was frustrated, angry, disappointed - all of the above! I knew that the place where I was working was toxic and was not going to be the place where I ended my career but I had to endure it for almost a year longer (I stayed there for five years) before I could make the change. There were times when I wanted to just throw in the towel on the job search. Just stay at my old job and endure the agony. But I had to push through. I had to remember that I was still alive and well, gainfully employed and able to do the things that I wanted to do in life. So what if the place wasn't where I wanted to be at that moment? I had to praise Him any how, any how.

I have sometimes felt frustration in being a business owner when not everyone is bought in to the business. Not everyone shares the vision. Some will tell me up front, some will advise that they are interested and then never return a call when I reach out to them and some of them sign up and then never do the business. There are days when I want to just be a Soul Purpose customer and not a business owner. But there are days when I see how much the product has made a positive effect on someone because of the improved condition of their skin. Or I see how I have helped to enrich someone's life by helping them start a business and, potentially, get out of debt, buy something that they needed for their children, etc. So the disappointing times are far outweighed by the rewarding times and I praise Him through it all, any how, any how.

Rae Lewis Thornton spoke at my church this past Sunday. To those who don't know her, she has been an AIDS activist for many years. Anyway, she talked about some of the ups and downs of living with AIDS. She could have thrown in the towel years ago. Lord knows that others tried to throw it in for her because of her full blown AIDS. But she persevered and kept on moving. She's now an ordained minister, small business owner and motivational speaker but even the latter has been a challenge as speaking engagements don't always come in as planned. Praise Him any how, any how.

Jim Rohn said "Learn how to be happy with what you have while you pursue what you want". I love that quote. I like to add, "...and continue to praise Him in your pursuit...any how, any how."

I'm back!

Shame on me!

Shame on me for having such an awesome tool like a blog and not using it to it's fullest potential! It's horrible that it's taken me almost 2 years to get back on track with this but I'm going to do my best to write more and to share my thoughts. I have so much on my mind at times. It's very healthy for me to write and to hear your thoughts about what I've written. So I'm back! Sharing my thoughts and looking forward to hearing from all of you!

Let the prose begin!