OWN THE BEARD

A beard is like any other natural creation, each one is beautiful, unique and has a specific purpose.  Men are created to have facial hair for many reasons, not the least of which is to differentiate them from women and children. Roses don’t try to be daisies, maple trees aren’t interested in being evergreen and dogs aren’t compelled to be like cats. It seems human beings though, are the only species on the planet that try to display themselves in some unnatural way and for some superficial purpose.

The majority of people that seek to alter their appearance do so for societal conformity or to get some kind of external validation. Why would men want to participate in the unnatural act of shaving their faces in order to appear other than they are? They should be content with, and grateful for, the unique way in which they were created and for the purpose they were created. Beards are a genuine part of being a man.

Own the beard!

BE HUMBLE…BE KIND…BE BEARDED.




FREE BEARD

…’Cause I’m as free as a bird now….a lyric from the famous song, ‘Free Bird’, could just as easily sum up the attitude of a bearded man. There is a sense of freedom for a man who lets his beard grow and becomes the complete person he was meant to be. The realization that you don’t have to look like, or be the person someone else expects you to be, is like a weight being lifted off your shoulders. Releasing oneself from the expectations of others is transformative and creates an unencumbered self awareness that changes how you relate to the world and how the world relates to you. You’re free to just be the best, most authentic version of yourself.

There are some people that emanate a vibration of being completely at ease with themselves and the environment they’re in. They inspire others to seek their own path toward wisdom, humility and compassion. These spirits are often the bearded, peaceful warriors of the world.

BE HUMBLE…BE KIND…BE BEARDED.




BEARDFULNESS

Beardfulness is a way of being.  It’s a lifestyle of mindfulness, gratefulness and thoughtfulness all wrapped up with a beard.  Growing a beard requires no action other than to stop shaving.  Beardfulness however, requires not only physical nourishment and support of the beard, but a spiritual orientation toward life that gives meaningfulness to all interactions.

Growing a beard helps men feel more aware, present and accepting of themselves.  Paying attention to the simple, albeit miraculous, process of a growing beard increases mindfulness in regard to other amazing processes going on in life generally. This allows for the opportunity to be more thoughtful and grateful for the blessings that exist in the present moment.

Men who let their beards grow, also grow mentally and spiritually. It creates freedom from so many superficial distractions that can take away from focusing on the development of qualities necessary for living a meaningful life. Qualities like patience, honesty, humility, and authenticity are all necessary ingredients for being a bearded man.

BE HUMBLE…BE KIND…BE BEARDED.




‘SOUL FOOD’

Soul food can be defined as anything that nourishes and supports the soul.  Because beards are an outward expression of a man’s soul, they also require nurturing to be the most beautiful expression of spirit possible.  Using honest, natural, organic products to care for a beard becomes the logical imperative (Honest Beard Care).

Despite what some would have you believe, caring for a beard is not that complicated.  Letting a beard grow is a natural process so nourishing and supporting that growth should be simple, pure and natural as well.  The basics are cleaning and conditioning.  Excellent commercial products are available or DIY beard washes and conditioners can be made with high end soaps and natural oils purchased separately.

Letting the beard grow fully and naturally is a first step on the journey toward personal authenticity. Caring for it is a daily exercise in mindfulness and gratefulness.  The entire process is part of living a simple, meaningful, nurturing life.

BE HUMBLE…BE KIND…BE BEARDED.




BEARD STYLE

There truly is just one authentic beard style.  It’s called stop cutting it off and let it grow! Shorter is acceptable, longer is preferable, but altering the natural hairline or contour is something that is done for purposes other than presenting the most authentic version of ones self. Beards are organic, shaving is not.

Every hair follicle on a man’s face has a pre-determined terminal length, and each man is different, so every beard has its own unique style. Letting it grow organically toward its natural shape, size and density, with minimal trimming or sculpting, is always the best style choice for any man.

Seeing a man wearing his full, natural beard evokes a sense of appreciation for the authenticity and freedom it represents.  Breaking the chains of conformity allow men to be their most genuine, honest selves.  Nature creates personal style. Don’t try to blend in when you were born to stand out.

BE HUMBLE…BE KIND…BE BEARDED.




BALD-FACED LIE

We’ve all heard the term, but maybe we haven’t stopped and thought about what it really means.

Facial hair is a distinguishing characteristic of manhood and an important part of a man being his most natural, authentic self. Most men have the capability of growing a beard, but choose not to in favor of creating the artifice of a bald face.

Nothing is required for a man to have a full beard other than to stop cutting it off. Using a razor to shave off the seeds of an emerging beard day after day is the very essence of acting to conceal the truth of ones identity.  Men without a visible beard are actively choosing to portray themselves in a less genuine form. They are deliberately creating a pretense by removing or adulterating a natural part of their physical being and are thereby engaged in a form of deception.  ‘He who shaves bears false witness’.

The more honest and authentic we are, the deeper we go into the core of our own being. “In a world where everyone wears a mask, it’s a privilege to see a soul.”

Show your soul!

BE HUMBLE…BE KIND…BE BEARDED.




 

BEARDS MATTER

Throughout history the iconography of beards in art and literature is pervasive.  The popularity of wearing a beard however, has waxed and waned based largely on society’s acceptance of connotations related to proper or improper, good or bad, etc.  Everywhere you look these days men are sporting beards and the explanations for this current resurgence seem to run the gamut from fad or trend to just a normal swing in the pendulum of social acceptance.  This may be the case in part, but maybe something deeper is going on also.

There seems to be a groundswell of energy pushing movements in social consciousness, sustainability, spirituality and the general desire for a simpler more natural way of living.  Beardedness appears to be an outgrowth (pun intended) of these areas of increased awareness.  The more elevated our thinking becomes, the more likely it is that we look for ways to express our enlightenment in the activities we choose and the forms of individual expression that resonate with how we feel.

Beards are one of mans oldest, most authentic forms of self expression and individuality.  Many men who let their beards grow find that their outward appearance begins to more closely match their inner selves and how they want to relate to others. Growing a beard then becomes a process of slowly exposing your soul to the physical world.  An emancipation of sorts.

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson.  Ignoring societal norms in favor of expressing a personal truth is a form of spiritual growth and inquiry.  The beard becomes an open assertion of humility and a submission to something bigger than ourselves.

Living an authentic life requires that we align ourselves with the truth.  For men, beards are the truth and each individual expression of one has the power to change a heart or a mind with its unique story.

Tell your story!

BE HUMBLE…BE KIND…BE BEARDED.