If you haven’t heard by now, let me say that the story, I’m going to tell you is to get you to see how important labels are and to get you to see how you label yourself and accept the labels others give you depends on how you see yourself. Many people are aware of a young lady who used a product in her hair because she wanted her edges to be smooth. The issue is that the manufacturers did not intend for the alternative product she turned to for use on anyone’s hair.
And after a month, all that she and others tried or suggested to remove the product from her hair, it still not back to normal. The matter is very sad and unfortunate because this product may have done permanent damage to the young lady’s hair and scalp, as it is an adhesive that the company states is ideal to use for home improvement type projects where wood and similar materials need to bond together permanently.
I won’t get into what the young lady should have known or make any jokes about it and the fact that people are online doing as such shows how quickly people are to disregard times that they did something that wasn’t the brightest. It shows how inhumane people can be to take a serious matter and turn it into a meme. I don’t care how stupid, foolish, ignorant, or crazy someone’s choices are or seem to you, to publicly go out your way to make a horrible situation worst speaks volumes about your character. And while that may offend some, the truth doesn’t need any help to stand.
As there is no one who wants their poor choices ridiculed. And I can’t name one person who could wake up one day and literally see thousands of people mocking them and walk away unaffected emotionally and maybe even psychologically. I know this is a side note, I am currently on, but I want you to remember that just like labels matter, words matter. And just because you’re sitting behind a keyboard, cellphone, or tablet, doesn’t change the power of your words.
Hindsight is typically 20/20 so I think the young lady having to deal with the consequences of her choice is plenty to remind her of how bad her choice was. Translation, she doesn’t need any help or additional comments making her feel worse. So, I encourage you not to participate in laughing at her grief online and if you already have, I encourage you to remove your posts and or comments.
You don’t have to know her to know she IS someone. A person. You know a human being with feelings and to feel entitled to disregard that is not cool. Yes, products have labels and we should follow the directions and warnings they state. But don’t sit there like you follow the directions and warnings on every product you have or have used to a t with all I’s dotted. Should you? Yes. As companies list the directions and warnings for a reason. However, I’m sure companies know customers don’t either, which is why the company, Gorilla Glue issued the statement that they did.
Anyway, I can admit I relate to wanting my edges straight as well. And I often tie a bandana around my hair to help keep them smoother longer, especially when I go to sleep. Now, personally, that’s my choice and method to achieve the sleek look she was after. To me, the matter of my edges does matter, still, I recognize that even if I can’t keep my edges slayed, or fried and laid to the side, it doesn’t change who I am.
Too often we take on labels and norms without even knowing or realizing it. That’s why we must all ask ourselves what labels we have. Yes, you do have labels. And if you think that you don’t tell me what words you use in your 2-minute spill to describe yourself. Don’t have a 2- minute spill – well, okay, tell me what words you use to describe your self to someone who asks you… What do you like to do? How does your spouse describe you? Supervisor? Best friend? Family? Seriously, think about when you’ve walked into a room unexpectedly and people were talking about you…
Did you agree with the statements they made? Did you think those statements were 100% inaccurate or somewhere in between? Whether or not you agreed depends on the labels you have for yourself – consciously or not. So, take inventory of how you feel about you. Take the time to see how you see you. Because the internal conversation you have with yourself about who you are, what you stand for, and how valuable you are starts with you…
It’s not wise to go through life accepting labels that others assign you, as though they are the truth. You define you. You get to live your life as you see fit. So, you must get to a place where you know that you know no matter what external people or customs that others see as normal or acceptable are not ideas, thoughts, or a way of life you must identify with or commit to live under.
The same is true for your inner circle of friends and family. I challenge you to not let their definition or opinion of you, who you are, and your value become your truth and reality that you live out either. Translation, don’t give anyone permission to see you as less than. Speak your mind and declare within yourself that even on days where you struggle or don’t feel the best that you are still a person of value with the resiliency to face and overcome challenges, barriers, and setbacks because you most definitely can!
~Imagine your worse decision or greatest mistake to date is on the internet for the whole world to view and share – What feedback would you hope to see or receive? Whatever thought came to your mind, remember that the next you want to post about someone else in a manner that you know could hurt, or make matters worse instead of better. Your humanity is on the line online! ~Coach Sam
~ Exalted Royalty ~ A C.E. SAM COMPANY
