Good Morning Friends! My MIL recently told me that I should write down all the stories of the people I have henna’d. Seriously, I might do it. There is something about sitting down in the personal space of a stranger and allowing oneself to become vulnerable for a few minutes that opens up conversations that wouldn’t normally come about so quickly.
Henna is so much more than simply drawing a design onto someone’s skin. It is a bonding time where for a few minutes we share a secret, a spark of inspiration. We flow together and are given the space and time to talk and the permission to be real.
Amongst stories of success and love I have also heard the inner worlds of sorrow or pain.
I have sat with a lady who regularly visits her husband in prison and was having henna done because she wasn’t allowed to wear jewelry in jail.
I have sat with women fleeing unhealthy relationships, teenagers experimenting with drugs, a young man with an amazing future ahead of him but being held back by the hurt from his father, an older man who has escaped death and tragedy more times than I would think possible, women struggling with infertility, women choosing to honor their bodies, people who have been partying for the whole festival and need a safe space to sit and relax and wind down.
To me, henna’ing is an honor. I do not take it lightly and I absolutely love to sit down and listen to life stories and sometimes have a little gem of wisdom to share. I love being around people and Henna has opened up a big beautiful and messy world of snapshots into people’s lives.
Maybe one day I will write a book! Memoirs of a Henna Artist!
For now, peace out and have a fab day! :)
Jessi
I love your posts so much. How amazing to meet so many people and learn about their lives in an unconventional way. I hope one day I make it to your side of the pond and am able to get some amazing henna artwork by such a talented and amazing person. Thank the stars for Steemit and all of the windows and doors it opens so that we may meet one another.
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Yes absolutely!!!! I hope you can travel this way sometime!! Yes Steemit seems to have great opportunity for building up community and I love that. I’m really enjoying my time here :)
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That would be an interesting book I'm sure. I like the henna head!
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Thankyou! :)
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This is such a great post!! Keep writing and I’ll definitely keep reading!
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Gorgeous henna art! I’ve had a few friends try their luck at it but none of there work is as intricate as yours. Good stuff followed for more :)
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Thankyou so much! I really appreciate it! Yes it takes a lot of dedication and practice to get the confidence up!! But it’s a beautifully relaxing art form. Cheers.
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