#25- Donate my hair to Locks of Love again!

This is #25 on my 25 Before 25 List.

This past August 2012, I decided to FINALLY donate my hair to Locks of Love again.

The first time I did it I was in high school. My hair was down to the middle of my back and I just decided one day to donate it. I cried from the time she made the little pony tails on my head, to the time she evened everything out after cutting off 10 inches. Looking back, that seems silly because it's just hair, but I think I was feeling like I lost a part of me.

This past August when I donated my hair again, I didn't feel like my hair defined me. I was so much more than just long haired :) So I didn't even cry about it! Go me!

Not to mention the fact that it felt good to be able to do something for someone else.

So here is the before, during, and after:

{Before}

{During- sectioning off hair}

{During- cutting off sections!}

{After}

I hope to be doing this again in another year or so!

One Little Word for 2013

So I have decided to choose my One Little Word for 2013, seeing as how we only have two days left of 2012.

This year, I have decided my word will be: Persist

{Persist}

According to Google, persisting is when someone continues in "a course of action in spite of difficulty, opposition, or failure", or you know, life in general.

I have not chosen this word because I have dealt with much "difficulty, opposition, or failure" this year.  In fact, I think this particular year has not been that hard. I have had harder years in the past. Not "OMG this class is so stupid" hard, but life altering WTF hard. And personally, I think it has made me a better person, but this is not why I have chosen Persist as my OLW of 2013. (Or should Acronym be my word? Ha).

I chose Persist as my word because I think I need to work on this. I wouldn't necessarily say that I am a "When the going gets tough, the tough get going" type of person, but I do think that I am semi-ok at sticking throughout he hard times....when it comes to other people or when other people are involved. I don't hold the same standard to myself, and I don't think that's ok. 

I recently had a convo with my sister Katy about something I view to be related to this ideology. 

She said to me that she used to feel guilty when she did something for herself, like bought a pair of shoes she wanted (but didn't need), or went to the Korean spa for some relaxation. And I have to say, that I STILL feel that way. Part of it is because I feel guilty about spending the money, but I'm afraid a another part may be that deep down I don't think I am worthy of it. Katy told me that she has learned that she needs to take care of herself before she can take of other people, which has led to her feeling ok with doing any of those aforementioned things and not feel guilty about it anymore. 

I think I need to focus on persisting for myself in 2013 for me, not for anyone else, because I AM WORTH IT. 

I am going to show persistence when those ugly "you can't do it" thoughts pop into my head. 

Sounds silly right? To not be good at persisting through negative thoughts that I, myself create.....but I find that being nice to myself can be one of the toughest things to do. 

So here's to PERSISTING in 2013. I can't wait to see how this unfolds.....