You provide so much valuable advice, insight and support for others on this board, I am so glad that you also found it for yourself. We all go through periods of self-doubt, no matter how our beard appears to those around us. It is quite easy to encourage others to embrace their beards, but sometimes difficult to follow our own advice.  I am very happy that you were able to see the positive attributes in your own beard that everyone else does. We all have our own beards, and they are almost as unique as our finger prints. Congratulations on embracing your beard sir- you wear it very well.