The Beauty of Being Free

In the middle of an amazing photo shoot, with my best friend as the photographer, I had gone for a clothing change. When I returned she showed me the most beautiful image of a hat that I had worn in one of the shots laying on a bench. What a powerful image that was.  When I asked why she took the photo, she said that the hat reminded her of Bear Bryant,  the legendary coach from Alabama. She took the opportunity to embrace and capture that reminder with what she does best...her photography!  

Was I surprised? Not one bit. She has a knack for capturing some very powerful and unique things. However this particular shot stirred up a lot of feelings for me and caused me to reflect on how far I had come on my journey to self-confidence, self-worth and a positive self image.

In the past I would not have dared to wear a hat like that, even less be photographed in it. I was taught that hats were reserved for the bold, the confident and the assured. At one point I was not any of these things, to be seen wearing a classy hat, for me, was definitely out of the question. Oh, I would wear a baseball hat in a heartbeat, but it had nothing to do with style or self-confidence. It was usually to cover up my un-styled hair and likely nothing more.

Things have changed drastically for me since those days. I have been freed from the chains of low self-worth and a negative self image. I am much more daring and confident, and style and fashion, oh how I LOVE it!

Each time I look at the image of the hat on the bench, I think of class, elegance and a mind and spirit that has been fulfilled. I think of the classy ladies in my neighborhood who when  they wore their "Sunday Best," a nice hat was usually included.

As I sit here and write this article, I smile as I also shed tears. I have grown from that person filled with self-doubt and uncertainty to someone who knows who and whose she is. I think about how my mind has been released of all the negative self thoughts and how  positivity and good cheer has replaced it. Not only that, I am full of  well wishes for others and ideas for how I can serve them.

I selected that hat to complement an outfit, but now it symbolizes so much more. It is a reminder that change is possible, what we fill our mind and spirit with matters, and that being free is a choice. I am reminded that sometimes the "simple things in life" are really not so simple, that something as "small" as a hat can be a huge symbol of strength and can not only make us look stylish and classy, but also make us feel so powerful.  

Teresa L. Holmes, Executive Director

The Bounce Back DNA Movement

Photos by Dawn D. Hester, Demeatria Photography

https://www.demeatriaphotography.com/