Getting older brings a lot of pretty cool things: being able to drive, staying out later and eventually moving out. All of these things are awesome and things that I looked forward to while I was growing up. What I didn’t realize was that with all of these awesome privileges came a lot of not-so-awesome responsibilities. Doing your own laundry, paying traffic tickets, taking out the trash (not because your parents told you to but because if you don’t, it stiiiiiiiiiiinkss!!!!) But most of all, taking care of your own life.
I had a rude awakening this past week when I realized that I needed to pick up a second job during the summer. Now this wouldn’t have been that big of a deal because I am honestly really excited to pick up some extra hours this summer, but this new responsibility meant that I needed to “clean up my appearance” just a bit. Man, I hate that phrase. To make a long story short, I had to take a giant leap and committed to cutting off my dreadlocks. Ouch, I have been growing out my hair for over a year and went through so much to get my locks going, and now they are gone.
Now there is a pretty obvious downside to having to cut my hair, the simple fact that all that time and work will be gone. But the harder and more important thing to look at in this situation is the fact that I am able to be responsible enough to cut my hair, because that’s what I need to do—at least if I would like to eat and pay my rent this summer. Years ago there would be no way that I would make a decision like this and I consider myself very lucky that I am able to take a mature step in the right direction.

Keep Livin’ the Dream,
Patrick