The Beard's Last Stand - Living a Year With a Beard

So, most people that know me in real life or have as a friend on Facebook would've seen the following on my Facebook wall a few months ago.  I decided that I have to share the story on this blog as well in English and Afrikaans.

So, for those of you don’t know, today marks the day that my facial hair has made a complete revolution around the sun! Indeed, from 25 November 2012 to 25 November 2013 I set out to not shorten or amalgamate my faci...al hair in any way shape or form (except for combing!). Well chaps, I didn’t! So, being the overly analytical person that I am I want to briefly share some thoughts, experiences and challenges I faced in my year of bearding.
I will not publicly disclose (and don’t come ask me!) the true reason for why I did what I did, but everything else is fair game. Right so, judgmentalism sucks. Both home and abroad I had to face up to this vice of the human nature. Do you know what it feels like when old ladies clutch their purses tighter when you walk by or when baffled children are escorted away from me by concerned parents or when people stare? Yes, some of you probably know this feeling. Some of you know what it feels like to be judged on your appearance. Heck, everybody knows that feeling! But this year I put myself even more strongly into the spotlight of the human judgement. I have learned we as humans still have a loooooooooooooong way to go before we can shake judgment based on appearance off for good. Then again, will we really ever be able to do that? Realistically no, but I am an idealist and an optimist. I therefore set myself unattainably high ideals and strive for ideas and beliefs that would seem to the rational person totally whack. But hey, I like striving for the eternal, the shiny, the hopeful, the future instead of being satisfied with the present because “that’s the way it is”. I know we can shake it off, but it’ll take generations and many failures. Success only lies beyond a seemingly endless series of failures, defeats and hardships. Sachin Tendulkar once said, “It doesn’t matter if you fail when following the right path”. It’s the essence of idealism.
In my bearding adventures I also got to see the truly virtuous and magnanimous characters of some people, who didn’t beat an eye when they saw my mane, but rather searched for the character and the heart of this scruffy fellow. There are too many to name individually, but thank you all. I dream of a world where there are more people like you. You guys know who you are – everyone that treated me well in spite of being as hairy as a hobbit’s foot! My Lord doth shine upon you this day!
And now as I return to the city streets as an unbearded manboy, yet still barefoot and still unique, I carry with me an even greater understanding of the human soul, of the power of God and also my own self. My brothers, (whether you are in the dorm right next to me or sheltering from the cold in Sweden) I really do hope each of you can endeavour something similar to what I did. Yes, my ladies should also find a great frivolous personal project for yourselves in the years that lie ahead. It’s for the ages. It’s magical. It’s wondrous. It’s perfect.
Do not fret, do not fear, just keep calm and take the leap of faith.
Peace be unto thee, my fellow interwebs adventurer!
TheLonelyman