@Simmo. I think that guts is a good word.  I started to say that it was guts in the beginning but it was actually the opposite since "beard doubt" is what led me to this board in the first place.  I do have to say that during this process trimming has scared the crap out of me before this.  I had a barber trim my beard once-only once-and I saw myself in the mirror and my face was completely ashen with fear. When she started cutting it was fine, but man o man was that a tense situation.  The trim to a circle beard was really fear-free. Part of it was that I had this before, but the other part was what I referred to yesterday in that I've got the full beard in my list of acceptable beards (fabulous to me... at least neutral to most business associates... and at least tolerated by family) and all it takes is time to get it back if I choose too. Very freeing feeling.  You still have my favorite beard on the forum. Keep it up!

@Avocadoshake and @Slybeard.  I will build some bulk while keeping it balmed, but at some point I think I will have to declare it long enough. Perhaps it is only my opinion, but I feel that the long-long circle beard fits the younger guys better than me.  Although the stripes could be kind of cool!

@Tom72. Good idea. I saw Spokanebeard's video of progress a while back and have meant to do something similar, but just haven't gotten around to it.  And as each week passes I collect another look.  Thanks for continuing to follow my thread, and I certainly enjoy yours!