IMAGE: My Big Chop
I hope y’all don’t mind a little pause in the IMAGE study for me to celebrate my big chop! (I’ll upload the final video in the series midweek.) Actually, this is very much part of the series because it’s what spurred the image study to begin with. As you know—and for those who don’t—I was hesitant to big chop in the age of social media with all of its instant reaction/opinion. My horizontal focus caused God to speak to my heart about image.
And this series and all of our discussions have spoken to my heart as well! I doubt I would’ve been so pumped about seeing my hair whacked off at the salon apart from that. It felt really good! I know that I know that God moved me to do this—to make a clean break with the old and begin a “new thing.” It’s about so much more than hair. And I don’t think it was for me alone. After uploading the before and after video yesterday, I was blessed to hear that others were inspired—and maybe it wasn’t about hair for them either.
I have to tell you… I feel good. I feel free. I feel emboldened (I know, weird!). And since this is a total God-thing, I’m totally believing that He desires to do a work in me and through me on this unexpected journey.
A new season is beginning…. I’m excited! Can we celebrate? :-)
Click HERE to watch the video.
45 Responses to “IMAGE: My Big Chop”
Kim!!! It looks AWESOME! I love both looks, but the new, chopped hair looks great, freeing, and FUN- and can I just say, I thought the pic of you with the ponytails at the salon was too cute – made me think of Adanya when she asks for “pea teas” (pigtails) Congrats, Kim, it looks amazing! :)
Thank you, Danielle!!! Definitely freeing and FUN! “Pea teas”….sooo cute! When my stylist put them in four ponytails like that, I told her she had to take a picture. What a “last” moment with my hair. :D Thanks for celebrating with me!
It really looks amazing, Kim. I love it. Congratulations! Enjoy every experience on your new journey.
Kim, you have walked with me from the time it was a thought to now, letting me know how much of a heart journey it was. You were celebrating before it was done! :) Thank you for cheering me along the way (literally) and helping me get pumped. God has been so FAITHFUL, and He was faithful in planting you on the path. :D
It’s a celebrate!!!!! LOL Congratulations again Kim. I am discovering that hair is a serious issue for a lot of women. I JUST got to the point where I wanted mine to look nice. I wasn’t always that way. I didn’t care how I looked or presented myself because I didnt’ care about ME. I praise God for growth! Rock it Kim!
Thank you, Tamara!!! I’m still remembering your comment on Facebook about tearing up as you watched the video….I thought it was amazing that you felt it was about more than scissors and a haircut, because it really was! But the fact that it came through that way for you was…..wow. You are right that hair is a serious issue for many. That’s why it’s a billion dollar industry….they know hair is a huge part of image. :) I praise God too that you care about YOU! Outward image will actually be the subject of this week’s video because it’s important as well. Given how your esteem had taken a beating, it’s a blessing that your worth has risen in your own eyes….because it was already HIGH in God’s eyes!
Thank you Kim! Such a new season of transformation for me! I don’t know if you know, but last night I was on Dr. Michelle’s Blog Talk Radio Show, sharing some of my testimony. When I listened to the replay, I was encouraged all over again to know that my hope is in Him and that I have a purpose in Him! Glory!!! We all do. Studies like this tie into the life of praise and celebration we all have.
No, I didn’t know you shared your testimony on her show! Do you have a link?
Yes ma’am! Here it is:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/alabasterwoman/2013/01/28/for-every-mountain-i-give-you-praise
*This is not a funeral, this is a CELEBRATE!* LOL HAHAHAAAA!
Good Morning, Kim!
Well, I’m pretty sure you’re clear on what I think about the new look (p.s. just to be clear I thought you were pretty adorable with the old, too). I was grinning all the way through the video and in fact there were a few tears in my eyes at your bravery and the thrill of watching you on this step of your journey.
May you be blessed as you continue on in this new thing that God is doing in your life. Thank you for allowing us to walk along with you and being encouraged to walk our own journey with God where ever He may take us as we learn to find our identity in Him.
Have a wonderful day!
Debbie
P.S. I really did do the happy dance…Megan looked at me like I was crazy when I stood up and did it…I explained…I’m not sure it changed her thinking on the matter :)
Good Morning Debbie! Wow, I’m blown away that you and Tamara teared up. I guess it’s interesting because the video itself was upbeat (I wasn’t anxious or sad :)), so it seems to go with the “this is deeper than hair” theme. :) Thank you for celebrating with me on Facebook, Twitter, and here….and for happy dancing with me! Oh, I would’ve loved to see that AND the look on Megan’s face. :D So love you gals!
I have to tell you that the tears really were tears of joy and excitement…I just got goose bumps. :)
Break out the cake and streamers it’s time to party/celebrate!!!! Congrats Kim ya look amazing!!!! That’s true for the before and after look. Thanks so much for sharing with not only me but every other woman here! You’ve been a real source of encouragement for me on my journey over here! So go on with ya bed self and have an awesome week!!!!! :)
P.S. I grinned from ear to ear through the whole video I have to get ice from my cheeks from cheesing to hard.
* oh thats suppose to be for my cheeks not from lol that’s what I get for not having my glasses on while typing
I was too Felecia…cheesing real hard as I was tearing up.
Hey Felecia! Love that you broke out the cake and streamers!!!! :) Thank you so much for celebrating with me and encouraging me! And I love that you were cheesing during the video….:D that made me smile! Y’all are such a blessing to me!
Love it!!! So beautiful. I will be on this journey with you too. I am pumped too! :-)
Thank you, Pam!!!! Love that we’re on the journey together and both pumped about it! Praise God!
Kim I absolutely love love love love it!!!!! I can definitely tell your excited about you big chop.You have this glow. I can’t wait to see all the different hair styles your going to try. I haven’t decided to go natural just yet, but I’ll live it through you. I’m excited for you. Congratulations Kim:-D :-)
Thank you, Ciara!…..so glad you love love love love it!!! (I’m grinning over here.) Wow, I have a glow in the video? That’s pretty awesome. :) I was definitely excited. I did the video literally after I got back from the salon. I didn’t plan to say I was pumped all those times, but I just was! lol Thank you, sis, for sharing my excitement and celebrating with me!!!
Hey Kim! So u finally did it!!!! Yayyyyyy Kim! You loook sooo thrilled and free and excited. Girl I am happy for you, Congratulations for a time to celebrate you…..Keep on smiling! :)
Hey Kristian! Definitely thrilled and free and excited. :-) I think I will indeed keep in smiling! haha Thanks so much for joining in the celebration, my Diva in Christ sister!
Woo hoo! Congratulations! Of course you look fabulous & I know you feel it too … I totally get you with the “free-ness”!
Although I haven’t been commenting, I have been following along your journey … I felt the need to step out of lurkdom to join in the celebration party & dancing!
*waving really fast and speaking in my country loud voice* HI SHAMET!!!!!!
Hey Shahmet! Thank you for stepping out of lurkdom to join the party!!! :) So appreciate your encouragement and your presence. Blessings, sis! And come on out more often….we miss you! :)
Oooohhhh!!! I love it!! You look lighter and fresher and absolutely HOT HOT HOT!!! You know I had to fast forward to the end of the video when you posted it on facebook to see your big chop, then go back and watch it because I could not wait three minutes. :)
Hey Jenni! Good to see you over here!! :) WOW….”You look lighter and fresher and absolutely HOT HOT HOT!!!”……LOVE THAT!!!! :D You fast-forwarded to the end?? LOL That’s funny! Thank you sooooo much for coming over and joining the celebration! Would love to see you here more often! :) Thanks for the lavish encouragement, sis!!
lOVE IT! LOL DO ALL WRITERS START AND STOP JOURNALS> LMBO this was wonderful! thanx
So it’s a writers thing?? LOL Thanks for stopping by, Lisa! So glad to see you here and looking forward to connecting more on YouTube!
Kim,
You look amazing, still. I guess it’s just your inner beauty that doesn’t change with your outer looks. Congratulations on making that plunge.
Aww, thank you, Rhonda! The inner beauty comment is such a blessing in light of the study we’ve been doing. What a great word for us all…let’s just let our light shine! Thank you as always for your loving words!
Super cute, Kim!
Thank you, Iris!! :)
Kim,
You did it! You look amazing. Congratulations! We on the journey together. I’ve been natural for 2 years this past December.
Rock what ever you desire!
Blessings
Hey Paulette! Thank you!! Remember you gave me that Twitter encouragement? :-) Thank you for that again! Two years natural, and you look GREAT (thinking of your Twitter pic :)) Glad we’re on the journey together! So glad you stopped by. Blessings to you too, sis!
Kim, there is a difference that I notice between your long hair pic and your short hair pic. You LOOK freer in your short hair pic. There’s this aura, this…light-heartedness and carefree-ness (if that’s a word) that shows on your face, in your smile, in the tilt of your head. Short hair is thing (This is my 4th year of having short hair-I keep it cut low). Rock it, sis. <3 Hello to all my lovely sisters in Christ on here…keep being your sho' nuff fine, beautiful and saved selves, however God has called you to be!
Hey Janelle! Oh, I love that!…an aura revealed in the pics that I didn’t even realize! :) I definitely felt light-hearted and carefree when I returned from the salon….almost giddy. I’m glad I was able to do the video as soon as I got back in order to capture that feeling. Love that you’ve been rockin’ your TWA for 4 years!!! (That’s like me when I wore mine for 3 years.) “….keep being your sho’ nuff fine, beautiful and saved selves”…love that! And ditto to you, my sister! Thanks so much for celebrating with me!
SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!!! This is cool. I’m watching and waiting to see what God does with you. I LOVE natural.
Aww, thank you, Tanya!!! So thankful that you stopped by and joined the party! :) I so appreciate your sharing my excitement. I’m watching and waiting to see what God does too! :) Blessings to you, sis!
Your hair looks beautiful both ways! I just cut of 9 years worth of locs. Wash-n-go is the bomb! Blessings on your hair/heart journey. I love letting GOD do my hair.
Hey Kristen! Thank you so much! Wow, you cut 9 years worth of locs?! I’m sure there’s a story behind that. :) That’s quite a hair journey….and now another begins! Wash-n-go is definitely the bomb!!! Blessings on your journey as well. And I LOVE THIS>>”I love letting GOD do my hair.” I’m so adopting that saying. :D
…looks like I am late to the party! Kim, I’m celebrating with you NOW!! Praying for you as God directs your amazing journey!
The party is continuous! :D Thanks so much for celebrating with me *and* a huge thank you for praying for me! :)
What a hairy journey of the heart you are on! I’ve met one Christian woman too many who views the presentation and maintenance of her body as frivolous or superficial. But how we look speaks volumes about how we treat ourselves both inside and out. And, since our looks are a gift from God, how we present ourselves to the world speaks volumes about whether or not we are following God’s will (and valuing His gift). “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do (like get a big chop), do it all for the glory of God.” (1Corinthians 10:31) Woman! You are lovely with your big chop. Congratulations! And congratulations for honoring God through your beauty – both internal and external.