so i have had the opportunity to cut my hari for "locks of love". i also called the tisdale recorder and a guy came and took some pictures. it felt like i was famous and that i was in a photo shoot. i have posted the article that i wrote, i hope you enjoy it and the new hair. pretty short eh? the newspaper edited it a bit for grammer but they left the content the same.
Chopping These Lovely Locks for “Locks of Love”
When giving is mentioned we instinctively think of monetary gifts, but generosity is not bound by finances. There are many ways to give without burning a hole in your pocket book. “Locks of Love” is one of them. After five years of growing my hair it was only a few inches from my waist. When cut I had two bundles: one 15 inches and the other topping out at 18 inches. The minimum donation length is 10 inches but I decided to give as much as I had. A lot more people might give if they knew they only had to grow 10 inches.
“Locks of Love’s” identity, mission and purpose is stated on their website as a (http://www.locksoflove.org/) “… public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. [While also seeking to] return a sense of self, confidence and normalcy to children suffering from hair loss by utilizing donated ponytails to provide the highest quality hair prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children. The children receive hair prostheses free of charge or on a sliding scale, based on financial need.”
It takes between 6 and 8 bundles of hair to make one hair prostheses. When finished, if the hair piece were to be sold, it would retail between $3500 and $6000. It is interesting that eighty percent of the hair donations to “Locks of Love” are made by kids who want to help out kids.
So on this rainy day while harvest is paused I contemplate generosity. It seems that as I have ‘matured’ I have realized there is a tendency in my heart to grow stingy as well. If there is that tendency in your heart too there are several things that we can do. As well as set pre- authorized monthly donations to a charity of your choice, we can enjoy thinking of creative ways to give that cost little or no money. Whenever one has extra or lots of something one may practice sharing. Hair doesn’t cost anything to give. Other fun things to give are homemade cookies to a neighbor and ‘treasures’ from the garage to a Church rummage sale. Times visiting shut – ins over tea or invested in young people, through sport and extra circular involvements are never vain generosity.
Giving reaps many natural benefits that far out way the forever misplaced tax deductible receipts. Giving is one way to remember that there are those who are in need and that I am very fortunate to live and grow in a safe country. Giving raises awareness for the needy as people seek out the best way to support people financially. Giving grows opportunities to partner with those who may come from different backgrounds and life experiences. There is joy in giving and freedom in realizing that it is much better to give than to receive. Giving trains a person to live satisfied on a lower means and decreases the desire to live a materialistic life. Giving enables a grateful heart and decreases the desire for more. Giving changes me. Giving changes US, as a whole community. Generosity does not change our circumstances but through it I realize I can not out give the One who gave first. No one can out give God. Christ gave the ultimate gift: His life so that I, you, WE, may live and have life to the fullest.
So what am I about to do today? I am presently on my way to Hair 2000, to chop these lovely locks; to give them to another who has not, to show that I am growing out of my stinginess, while intending to demonstrate that generosity is a joyful experience.
Finally, I encourage: please get out there, continue giving, think about what you have lots of and give some of it away. You will find that there is joy in giving and that it is not nearly as bad as the reputation that precedes it. Besides, hair grows back, and more ‘treasures’ will always accumulate in the garage.
When giving is mentioned we instinctively think of monetary gifts, but generosity is not bound by finances. There are many ways to give without burning a hole in your pocket book. “Locks of Love” is one of them. After five years of growing my hair it was only a few inches from my waist. When cut I had two bundles: one 15 inches and the other topping out at 18 inches. The minimum donation length is 10 inches but I decided to give as much as I had. A lot more people might give if they knew they only had to grow 10 inches.
“Locks of Love’s” identity, mission and purpose is stated on their website as a (http://www.locksoflove.org/) “… public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. [While also seeking to] return a sense of self, confidence and normalcy to children suffering from hair loss by utilizing donated ponytails to provide the highest quality hair prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children. The children receive hair prostheses free of charge or on a sliding scale, based on financial need.”
It takes between 6 and 8 bundles of hair to make one hair prostheses. When finished, if the hair piece were to be sold, it would retail between $3500 and $6000. It is interesting that eighty percent of the hair donations to “Locks of Love” are made by kids who want to help out kids.
So on this rainy day while harvest is paused I contemplate generosity. It seems that as I have ‘matured’ I have realized there is a tendency in my heart to grow stingy as well. If there is that tendency in your heart too there are several things that we can do. As well as set pre- authorized monthly donations to a charity of your choice, we can enjoy thinking of creative ways to give that cost little or no money. Whenever one has extra or lots of something one may practice sharing. Hair doesn’t cost anything to give. Other fun things to give are homemade cookies to a neighbor and ‘treasures’ from the garage to a Church rummage sale. Times visiting shut – ins over tea or invested in young people, through sport and extra circular involvements are never vain generosity.
Giving reaps many natural benefits that far out way the forever misplaced tax deductible receipts. Giving is one way to remember that there are those who are in need and that I am very fortunate to live and grow in a safe country. Giving raises awareness for the needy as people seek out the best way to support people financially. Giving grows opportunities to partner with those who may come from different backgrounds and life experiences. There is joy in giving and freedom in realizing that it is much better to give than to receive. Giving trains a person to live satisfied on a lower means and decreases the desire to live a materialistic life. Giving enables a grateful heart and decreases the desire for more. Giving changes me. Giving changes US, as a whole community. Generosity does not change our circumstances but through it I realize I can not out give the One who gave first. No one can out give God. Christ gave the ultimate gift: His life so that I, you, WE, may live and have life to the fullest.
So what am I about to do today? I am presently on my way to Hair 2000, to chop these lovely locks; to give them to another who has not, to show that I am growing out of my stinginess, while intending to demonstrate that generosity is a joyful experience.
Finally, I encourage: please get out there, continue giving, think about what you have lots of and give some of it away. You will find that there is joy in giving and that it is not nearly as bad as the reputation that precedes it. Besides, hair grows back, and more ‘treasures’ will always accumulate in the garage.
5 comments:
Wow, I didn't know your hair was that long! But how special that you were able to give it to someone who doesn't have the joy of growing their hair long! I like your new haircut too by the way! :) Very nice!!
Crystal! Your hair looks amazing! I love it.
Your hair looks awesome!!!! I am so excited for you! (and if you did not know yet, I also cut my hair short!!) I'll try to call you again, and if you're not home, you'll at least be 'it' :) miss you!
I enjoyed the article. Well said.
awesome haircut!! you look hot! love it , love it, love it.
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