Roots - by Lucinda LaRee

Roots

By: Lucinda LaRee

3/22/11

An entire year has passed and between Spring 2010 and the end of winter, March 20, 2011, I focused on my own version of Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness project. I was given Gretchen’s book for Christmas, 2010, by a dear friend and client, Isabelle Scott. For 16 years, three times a week, as we did our practice, we would talk like “soul sisters” about what was going on in our lives. She was very excited about this book and her enthusiasm was contagious and got me excited. I devoured the book and put my plan in action.

At the same time I was deeply into learning all I could about the Chakra System. I decided to do both - as I worked my way through the year with Gretchen I would also work my way up the spine and take each of the seven major chakras one at a time.

One day during our practice, Isabelle talked to me about my hair. Over the years she has listened to me complain about my hair color, fight with my natural curl and try to get that Washington, “I’ve got it all together” look. Isabelle, in her late 60’s had decided to stop coloring her hair and blowing it straight and it never looked better. She encouraged me to give it a try.

Growing out my roots. Showing my gray. Showing my age. Was I now over the hill, an ol’hag, wild woman, who has let her self go? Or, was I the, Silver Fox, gray wolf, wise owl, all beautiful creatures of the earth and sky. Why was I doing this? I wanted to be authentic, keep it real, keep it simple, be unique, and be accepting of myself, my age, and who I am now.

As the year passed and my roots grew out my hair was a mess. It was difficult to keep my commitment. I went to California to visit my family in the summer and was stressed they would give me hell. My mother’s motto has always been, “I am going to the grave without any gray!” We sat on the beach one day and my mom touched my curls and said, “you know I always loved your curls, and your natural hair color is coming in nicely.” That’s as good as it gets!

I believe as I let my natural hair flow, all the colors and curls accepted, I shall show to the world on the outside as I am on the inside: a natural, beautiful, confident woman who is grounded, wise and strong. As my crown shines silver, I shall attract people who appreciate a women who is courageous enough to be true to her own vision of herself in an age of fake and phony.

My friend Isabelle passed away in November, just after her 70^th birthday. She never got to see my hair completely grown out. When times are hard I think about how when she gave me the book, “The Happiness Project” she knew she was dying of Leukemia. She did not share this diagnosis with family and friends until the very end of her life. She was grounded, beautiful, practicing her yoga, piano, singing and putting her best foot forward everyday, letting her silver mane of curls shine until the very end. Begin your own journey here:

http://www.happiness-project.com/