During my dreadlocks research, I don’t remember speaking to anyone who used the freeform method. All the ways I did discover, however, required three important things: time, money, and a decent amount of hair.
With lack of time and money, I decided to shampoo and moisturize what little hair I had. But no combing or cutting. This process is called freeform. With minimum care, you do absolutely nothing to your hair but let it be free.
As my hair started growing longer, I expected the dreadlocks to start forming immediately. Instead, a nappy little afro developed resembling the wool on sheep.
At the root, strains of hair intertwined together in different sections as it continued growing. Parting my hair, I could see little “baby” dreadlocks forming at the root.
Upon waking each morning, I tried to tame my hair’s appearance by pulling and patting into a more presentable looking afro.
None of Your Spiritual Business
I continued working at my corporate job during this freeform method. My hair looked wild in comparison to popular hairstyles. My coworkers thought I didn’t give a damn. Maybe I did, perhaps I didn’t. Other people opinions have seldom been a concern of mines.
My work attire was always professional: suit, tie, facial trimming, and shining shoes. Despite my intentions to use my style of dressing as a distraction, my interesting looking hair caused stares, jokes, and weird questions everywhere I went.
Soon my new appearance got the attention of managers, particularly the vice president of the department. One day he stopped me in the hall with a look of concern on his face.
“Hi, Jeff, how are you doing?” His gaze wandered from the top of my head to my eyes.
“Fine, Matt, and you?” I responded.
“How are things in the command center?” asked Matt.
“Great. We’ve drafted and implemented the new policies to help customers resolve issues in a faster manner,” I said.
“Good. Good. I’d like to see the reports soon.”
I nodded, “Just let me know when you’ll be coming by, and I’ll have a draft sent to your office for review before you come.”
Looking directly at my hair, he said in a low voice, “Your hair is getting long.”
Since Matt was bald on the top of his head, I had no other response but, “Yeah, I’m letting it grow naturally.”
“Natural, hum. You do know about the dress codes?” asked Matt.
“Yes sir, I read them.” We parted.
I studied the dress code policy. No instructions existed about hair length or style.
On another occasion at a local grocery store, two black men screamed across the parking lot, “Damn, Nigger! Why don’t you comb your hair?” Now, I’d expected stares and uneasiness from white people but not from black people in my community.
Because of faith in my vision, I shook off all types of remarks. Others’ negative thoughts about dreadlocks are none of my spiritual business. The Universe never gives us the desire to make positive changes in life without first giving us the ability and strength to handle all the challenges.
The Black Swan Emerges
After about six months, I had a head full of dreadlocks about four inches long. During the process, the only control I had over how they looked was through “popping.” Since I desired long thin ropes, any two dreadlocks growing together were pulled apart making a “popping” sound.
Today, 30 years later, my dreadlocks are long and healthy. I have allowed them to grow long past my waist. I trim them occasionally storing the cut dreadlocks in a unique and sacred place in my home.
My grandmother advised me always to keep, burn, or hide any hair fallen from me because someone could use it to cast a spell on you. Whether this is true or not, I honor her words keeping all fallen dreadlocks.
With dreadlocks, I have accomplished many things: worked at seven corporations, taught myself to build and repair computers, started a parenting magazine, published a book of children’s plays, and launched an Internet business.
One more note, my income has tripled! This is a result of having desires, intentions, reading, setting goals, job promotions, savings, spending wisely, and many other positive lifestyle actions.
My accomplishments came from a strong desire to define myself by my standards. Every idea started with a vision of the result. I did not worry about how to accomplish the task but believed in its completion. Next, I planned my work, worked the plan, and voilà – success!
Whatever goals or ideas you have, hold on to your vision as though your life depended on it because it does.