Writing with Juliet Iwelunmor

There is a picture of my grandmother that I return to often. It’s a black and white picture with a white scarf resting half way through her head. The colors of the scarves are locked in time for me, except that they seem white next to a head full of black hair. I return often to this image to see the woman that made me possible again. I return often to be reminded of my power.

In the image, the white scarf rests halfway from the middle to the back of her head. Her hair is black and full, resting and visible from the middle to the front. Both the scarf and her hair are in a reciprocity that evokes a self-propagating cycle of ease. Her hair evokes ease. The scarf sits at ease. Both represent a sense of grace, that can only be expressed when all that is within you is at ease, in grace too for the fullness of your power.

Imagine growing up in a culture where what rests on your head signals then, your power. Imagine nurturing, flourishing and fulfilling your power with ease, in an effortless style. We accept this grace, because the power within us is sufficient. These days I am grateful to all the scarves in my life for the lessons they teach on living in grace. All scarves help you live a life full of ease, gentleness, kindness, whether on your neck or head. They open doors that lead to only what you need. They can uplift and flourish you. Cherish and nurture you in colors and style that are simple for moments divine. Ultimately their role in your life is to remind you that life should be je je, full of things at ease and in gratitude to the grace and power within that is sufficient, always for you.

Mama’s image to me will forever showcase how to live effortlessly. It’s also a clear example on what scarves do. They propel you to live a life full of ease. They provide care for you in a way that opens the door to effortless style, your power too. Ease can be positive, shifting what many often see as difficult to grace. In exchange, all that makes you possible, powerful too is known, revealing the true depths of your being. This is what scarves do for me. They propel me to my finest hour, my power, where what you see on my head is grace. Keep it.