KS&L 316 A Good Hair Day Part 1

Everyone who has hair and those who only have a little hair on their head, know that our hair affects our life on a subtle often ‘un-thought about’ way. Literally, it is as if we have a sort of ‘cloud of hair’ on our head and how that ‘cloud of hair’ looks on any given day will have a tremendous affect on how we feel our day is going.

Why is that? Why does having a good hair day matter at all? Why do we spend staggering amounts of money on hair products, enhancements, wigs, hair-pieces, hair treatments, barbers and hair dressers? Why do women seek the perfect color for their hair? Why do men ‘comb over’ their last precious threads of hair to cover that dreaded bald spot? Why are all of us so utterly vain about our hair?

Why is it exquisitely tragic when someone undergoing chemotherapy loses his or her hair? Somehow the loss of their crowning glory, their hair is visual proof of their body’s fragile vulnerability.

What does hair have to do with karma?

Hair is an element of how we see ourselves and how that self-image enables us to balance various aspects of our life. Karma is only about balance and how ‘balanced’ we feel often has a tremendous amount to do with how balanced we believe our hair looks, moment to moment.

Hairstyles carry significantly different symbols of meaning for men and women, although, these days, men are just as concerned about having a good hair day as women are. Consider that in times gone by, a thick head of very long hair on both men and women was the norm. Hours were spent brushing red, black, blonde or chestnut strands of hair, and some treasured possessions were women’s hair clips made of whalebone or tortoise shell.

Hairstyles, in more modern times, say a great deal about us, for example:
• A swept-off-your face look may mean that you are not afraid to be open to everyone and all kinds of new ideas. You do not let things block you, you have a powerful need to see absolutely clearly and that includes not having any hair in your face.
• Hair that covers most of your face often means that you are not entirely comfortable meeting the world and so you use your hair to retreat to an emotional safety zone.
• Partial bangs may mean that you are testing the waters of ‘being out there’ and use the partial ‘bang’ as a screen.
• Hair partially in your face can also mean that you allow people to get ‘only so close to you.’ It is a way of saying that you keep people at arm’s length, so to speak. You can be friendly, but reserved.
• Hair that is constantly dyed a new color may indicate a person who is trying to find him or herself, or someone who is rebelling against the status quo.
• Hair that is fashioned into outrageous ‘dos’, such as Mohawks, super spikes in psychedelic colors and hair that is shaved into often, bewildering designs – bewildering for the observer – make a powerful statement. These are the ‘in-your-face’ kinds of styles designed to intimidate. These folks are defying people to judge them and then watching that observer’s discomfort at their astonishing appearance.

We love watching people. We all do it. The wisest ones among us just observe without judgment because, truly, we do not know the path of another. The others of us just shake our heads at how people look. If we like someone’s hair, we feel confident in saying so. “Great Hair,” “Love that style,” or “You’re having a great hair day aren’t you!” We feel good when we tell someone this. For others we may ponder what were they thinking when they got up this morning! Often we are so worried that people will judge our hair that we immediately apologize for our hair, serving the other person fair warning: ‘I’m not having a good hair day,’ or ‘I didn’t do hair today, just resting’ as if we need permission to ‘let our hair down, and relax.’ Good Hair will continue next week in part 2