Why I shaved my head in India
Wait what!? Amber Holmes SHAVED HER HEAD?? Did she have a gun to her head? It must have been a terrible case of lice (eww gross!)... there is NO WAY that girl with the beautiful long curly locks chopped them off at the very roots.
Well, as I think many of you have realized, my travels have been utterly life-changing. Once a staunch perfectionist, I've shed so much superficial, materialistic bullshit along the way. And when my original inspiration, Natasha Terra, told me that she's shaved her head once a year for the past five years in India, my initial reaction was holy shit, I would NEVER do that... but by the time that thought fully materialized, my brain had jumped to its second reaction which was, wait, WHY would I never do that!? I preach on a daily basis about fearlessness and just the thought of this induced wrenching vomit-like fright. I also declare that though i've been blessed with outer physical beauty, that it's my INNER beauty that shines the brightest. So why then, should I be so attached to something dead (albeit beautiful) hanging off of my head?? In fact, BECAUSE my initial reaction was "hell no, not me", I knew that I HAD to do it. Besides, I don't believe in only talking the talk. So here I am. Bald, vulnerable, and a bit chilly, but feeling stronger, bolder, and more beautiful than ever. Yes, I cried when that Indian barber was shaving away because it was an incredible emotional feat. But on the inside all I felt was shanti shanti. Nothing but joy and peace. I'm donating my gorgeous kilo of curly golden locks to Pantene Beautiful Lengths which makes human hair wigs and distributes them to women who have lost their hair from cancer, not from choice. This was MY choice and boy do I feel free.
I need to give thanks to my fiery and amazingly strong friend, Bel Laidlaw, for standing by my side in love and support the entire time. Also, I want Sarah Alderfer and Carin Hillman to know that I drew courage and inspiration from them. Namaste dear friends, especially my girlfriends who kickass.