What do I think about my own beard?  I love it.  I feel a bit like a gardener, tending and nuturing it just for the simple joy of seeing it grow and flourish.

I don't spend any amount of time lamenting "problems" with my beard or wishing it could be like someone else's - this is my beard, it is the only one like it and it is the only one I can grow.  I also think of it a bit like art...art that grows from my chin and my face is the gallery where I display it for the world to see.  You are welcome world.

Actually, there is one shortcoming that I am aware of, it doesn't grow as quickly as I would like it to.  Beyond that, I'm just excited to see it each day.

Words like confidence and virility are not quite adequate when I'm talking about what my beard gives to me.  There is something that doesn't seem to really have words in English to describe it.  A sense of rightness in the world, a sense of inner peace, comfort and acceptance of myself.  I walk a little taller, notice the world averting their eyes more often, and feel warmed and comforted by it. 

By the same token, it attracts fear and negativity.  There is a dark side to bearding and I welcome that as well.  Most of this has to do with negative stereotypes and associations some people make between beards, violence and criminality.  This is mostly funny to me since the vast majority of beardsmen I've met are kind, friendly and particularly gentlemanly.  Those strong emotions give my beard power and it knows it:)

I also like to joke about my beard having its own personality and opinions about things.  Razors?  My beard doesn't appreciate hearing such talk...lol

Growing out my beard is a journey of self-discovery, one which teaches patience and serenity.

Lastly, my beard makes me feel closer to my ancestors.  So many of those men whose trials and tribulations in life paved the way for me to enter this world, wore beards and it's almost as though they cannot recognize me without my beard.  It's sort of like the longer my beard gets, the closer I feel to "home".

 

Opposable thumbs are overrated...beards set us apart from the other animals.

For me, growing a beard isn't hiding my face, shaving is hiding my beard.

How can a man know himself if he's never even seen himself?