Last year I stopped covering my gray hair.  No, you don’t understand, I was obsessed with keeping every strand saturated with whatever hair color I was using.  Overtime, I grew tired of the stained towels, the discolored pillow cases, the bathroom needing to be painted because of the little specs and spots, etc. I asked myself,  why are you afraid of letting your gray show? My only answer, I was scared of looking old.  

Well, last spring, I took a deep breath and cut off my shoulder length honeybrown Wella colored locks! Finally, I was free. I received many comments, most were positive. I took it all in knowing that like it or not, I was never going back to covering up a part of who I am.  It may be a small gesture, but it has brought me closer to being authentic.

Authenticity, I think it is knowing who you are, what you believe, your values and your priorities — a real sense of self.  At 69 I think I am closer to achieving this then ever before.  It also means that I rely on my own assessment of success and truth and don’t need to have it re-enforced from the outside the way I used to when I was younger.  And I am at peace with that person so I don’t need to flaunt her or demand that others acknowledge her.  I can relax and just be me, at last.

MAM