I woke up this morning to a barrage of posts about today being the first day of Lent (March 5th- April 17th). Already?! After so much thought and preparation went into last years trying (albeit, successful) sacrifice, it's a wonder that I let today slip my mind. I spent my drive in to work scrambling to find something to give up this year.

Red meat? So three years ago.

Soda? Barely partake in that. 

Twitter and Instagram? Already checked those.

And then it came to me. Instead of taking away something that I stand a greater chance of going back to once this all has ended, why not add on something that I can take with me beyond my Lent challenge? I've decided that this year I want to challenge myself to pay more attention to where my mind wanders, to speak more on my blessings than my downfalls, and to praise even in my misfallings because I know that therein lies growth. I also plan to develop and stick to a daily exercise regimen.

Adding positive habits to my life will not only be a refreshing challenge, which is a big part of this, but it will also help me to take steps toward becoming the person that I ultimately want to be. I pray that like last year, the results will be lasting and I know that with the right mindstate and sticking to my plan, they will.

I'm a little late posting this, (exactly one week to be exact), but I decided that this year I really wanted to push myself in what I would sacrifice for lent. I'd given up sweets. I'd given up red meat. Both of which had found their way right back into my diet within a matter of days beyond the fast. This year I wanted to give up something that might bring everlasting change. Immediately I thought of taking a break from heat straightening my hair. It was something I've wanted to try for a while; not only to maintain the health of my hair and hopefully gain some length in the process, but also to learn to embrace my hair in its natural state. 

You see, I've never been one to feel 'glamorous' when wearing my natural.. as silly as that may sound. It was more so something I'd turn to for convenience, or when in between appointments. No matter how many compliments I'd receive, or comments of, "If I had your hair I'd wear it like that everyday," I just wasn't having it. My curl pattern was inconsistent.. there would be too much shrinkage.. and it would get tangled beyond belief.

So here I am.

I decided what better challenge to myself than to face forty(ish)-days and forty(ish)-nights of nonstop curls! I'm challenging myself to feel glamorous in them, to find the beauty in truly embracing myself in my total natural state (I'm not an avid weave wearer but my hair is usually blown out bi-weekly) and ultimately to reach and inspire anyone else that's ever felt this way. I will post pics along the way and share what products worked/ didn't along my journey.

Stay tuned.