Category: Social Awareness

“The sun shines down, and its image reflects in a thousand different pots filled with water.

The reflections are many, but they are each reflecting the same sun.

Similarly, when we come to know who we truly are, we will see ourselves in all people.”

~Amma the Hugging Saint (India)

Revered as a powerful guru and saint, Mata Amritanandamayi (known throughout the world as Amma, or “mother”) has hugged more than 32 million people. All for the goal of spreading “selfless love and compassion toward all beings”; she’s on a mission to comfort her children, i.e. humanity. Only a mother would have such a goal, a yearning to heal and nurture all people of the world. The power of love can make any and every thing a possibility – especially the love of a mother!

There are many mothers, known and unknown, roaming this very Earth that they are trying to change on a daily basis. Immaculee Ilibagiza is a mother, author and motivational speaker that survived the Rwandan Genocide; she found it in her heart to embrace forgiveness and spread the teachings of love and compassion to others. Patricia Bragg is a mother and health crusader who has made it her quest to renew, rejuvenate and revitalize our lives through eating, breathing and exercising our bodies and minds. Oprah Winfrey may not have biological children, but thanks to the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, she is able to step into the mother role and be a real mother friend companion advisor, comforter to hundreds of girls, Oprah admits, “this has added another level to my life”. Angelina Jolie is a mother, actress and humanitarian on a mission to save the lives of refugees and people who have been displaced due to conflict.

While we wish the entire world embraced more love, more caring, more giving and less selfishness, we can teach the children within our reach. We can show them to respect others. We can show them how to love others. We can show them how to take care of the environment. We can show them how to be a friend. Even in small things – the things we buy, the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the waste we create – we can create a better world. Through them, we can change it.

Mothers’ love, support and commitment to making the world a better place has shaped the person we all are and what the children of this world will be. Even if your reach is not as broad as the mothers listed here, do for one what you wish you could do for all. Believe that love can change the world, don’t take my word for it – just look around at the mothers in your life, including YOU.

Love Your Hair,

Jane

Giving good hair is a powerful thing! Long hair, short hair, colored hair, weaved hair, shaved hair – don’t care. These ladies are not only known for making headlines and careers, but they have influenced our culture at some time, coiffures that have inspired envy and imitation over the past century. These women unwittingly started pop culture history’s most memorable hair trends with their iconic hairstyles, past and present. Some of these fashionable hairdo’s have faded into obscurity, others have crept back into relevance. Over time style has evolved, thus creating several fashion changing hairstyles; only a few hairstyles become coveted, it takes a woman who truly ‘owns’ a look to make it iconic. At the time it might have felt they were being outlandish, provocative, or that they were pushing buttons but really they just knew who they were and didn’t apologize for it.

One of the beauty hurdles we obsess over is trying to find that perfect hairstyle that make us look (and feel) fantastic! Framing the face, hair is a huge part of our appearance; changing our hair is one of the easiest ways to alter our image, but keeping it the same can cement your signature style. The icons of beauty have stuck by their own looks and found comfort in being themselves. Finding your individual style and being happy with it is such a positive affirmation, especially when individuality tends to get lost in this day and age.

We at Jane Carter Solution promote individuality in women and support all women accepting their hair texture! Ask yourself:

Do I have a signature style?

Am I presenting myself and my hair in a way that’s true to who I really am?

Does my hair make me feel beautiful and empowered?

Let the journey to finding your iconic style start now!

Love Your Hair,

Jane

There are some women that will not wear their natural hair texture; as in refuse to be caught dead flaunting naturally air-dried curls or waves. Despite the damaging effects of heat-styling and chemical treatments, there still seems to be a fascination with smooth, sleek hair — and women of all ethnicities and hair types seem to be willing to go to almost any length (or cost) to get straight, shiny locks. We must ask, is curly hair still judged?

Some think that straight hair is more professional, that it presents as being polished and uniform. Somehow, people perceive curls and waves as non-conforming; going against the grain and having an adversity to authority. I bet you didn’t even know your hair was “saying” all that; we are summed up in one strand of hair!

As absurd as it may sound, I realize that women with textured hair tend to have moments of doubt. Have you experienced going into a job interview or meeting nervous because your hair was acting particularly frizzy that day? Or contemplated straightening your coils for a first date? Even though hair should be the last thing judged, we all know – it happens. The “norm” is the opposite of what some are embracing, even though it’s what naturally grows from their scalps. Ironic.

What are your concerns regarding how you are perceived with curly or wavy hair?

Love Your Hair,

Jane

Circle of Sisters is the largest expo for women of color in New York City; this expo is accented by an avalanche of captivating elements such as fabulous shopping and food tasting with some of today’s top chefs at the Food Pavilion and youth activities including lessons in the arts and dance at the Children’s Pavilion. It’s a wonderful feeling to walk into an expo hall that will be filled with empowering women, entrepreneurs and vendors…we LOVE to see women doing their thing and pursuing their passion with fervor!

Jane Carter Solution is excited to be participating in the 2013 Circle of Sisters event, October 19^th and 20^th. Visit us at booth 942 to experience our new expansion lines:

• Hydrate – offering unique styling options for your natural hair, ensuring that your hair and scalp remain healthy, manageable and moisturized

• Restore – formulated to promote hair growth, scalp care and encourage moisture retention

We’ll be on site offering product recommendations, assisting you with JCS Membership registration and of course making sure that you leave with the products you need. See you at the expo!

Love Your Hair,

Jane

For decades, we’ve all has access to the typical Barbie doll: tall and skinny with straight hair. If you’ve ever tried to find an ethnic doll at your local toy store, you may have noticed the lack of variety regarding skin tone, hair styles and textures. Just months after Barbie was revamped with the body of an average girl, another company brings us additional variety – Natural Girls United, created by Karen Byrd. Gorgeous dolls that are made with love for children of all races to enjoy!

Yes, mainstream toy companies are producing more black dolls but the representation of natural hairstyles remains limited. Natural Girl United takes straight-haired dolls of different skin shades and customizes them with ornate handmade hairstyle; each style takes up to three days to craft. Given this limited mainstream selection, smaller toy companies have found their niche marketing more diverse alternatives. There are other companies that also seek to provide dolls generally not found at other stores, including black baby dolls with natural hairstyles, Hispanic dolls, Asian dolls, Native American dolls, Indian dolls, biracial dolls and dolls for boys:

The Pattycake Doll Company

Paradise Galleries

Maru and Friends

How important do you think it is for a child to play with a doll that resembles themselves or their mothers during their formative years? Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Love Your Hair,

Jane

Anyone can give up. It’s the easiest thing in the world to do, but to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart…that’s true strength!

Most of us forget that life is a spiritual journey; most of us forget that our walk in the flesh is just temporary. Cancer is not a death sentence! If we can move beyond the fear of the attachment, the fear that this life is all there is, then we can free ourselves of the fear to accept whatever the outcome may be. Doctors don’t always have every answer, they are often times unable to foretell what will happen. Once we can own that, we can move beyond the fear and make the choice to fight for the opportunity to move through the process - survive it or to accept the outcome. Surely, it’s a reminder for us all that we have choices. The journey helps us be more responsible to choose rather than just accepting the outcome.

Ask, pray, fight and know that each life is valuable; each of us has impacted more people than we ever imagined. If we achieved that in our walk, we accomplished what we came here to do. Be blessed, don’t be discouraged, and value each moment that life has created the opportunity to be our best.

The Jane Carter Solution family and myself wish for those currently fighting this disease comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss their lips, sunsets to warm their hearts, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for their eyes to see, friendship to brighten their being, faith so they can believe, confidence for when they doubt, courage to know themselves, patience to accept the truth and love to complete their lives. We are here in the fight with you, standing in unity!

Who are you standing together with during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

Love Your Hair,

Jane