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Summary of Question:	Confused
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Friday, 4/16/1999 9:27 AM MDT

I am a 23 year old man, who is confused. I was born in the US, but spent the first 8 years in India. I was raised in a Sikh family and have never doubted my religion. When our family moved from India back to the US, the first thing we did was cut our hair. I was only 9 at the time and didn't realize the major step our family had taken. Now my mother is a modern women, who has an MBA and works full time. My dad was also educated in the US and works. My older brother and younger sister included, we have all cut our hair. At the age of 18 I joined the United States Marine Corps and was basically without kesh at all.

At this stage of my life, I am confused. I am in College in Texas, and for the first time am surrounded by many Indians. My girlfriend, soon to be fiance, soon to be wife, is also indian, but is a Hindu. I don't have a problem with her or the religion, nor does she with mine. We have discussed about our future and decided on teaching our children both aspects of our religions, and let them decide. My problem is now though, recently I have been feeling sort of lost. I am a Sikh and proud of it, matter of fact, I do ardas everyday, and still can play the harmonium and sing shabads. But I sometimes feel lost with out my hair. I know if your belief is strong, then the appearance does not matter. Recently I have started to go to a nearby gurudwara, whenever possible, and am going to Dallas for the Khalsa March. I don't know if you can help me, or maybe i am just writing to get it off my chest.

I am fighting with my self trying to decide about regrowing my hair. I don't know if you have any other people who have gone to similar things, but I would like some kind of answer. I know the ultimate decision to grow my hair or keep it cut is mine, but I would like to hear any similar stories.

Wahe guru ji da khalsa
teh waheguru de fateh...

Sumeet Singh Chahal....
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REPLY
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Someone already gave an excellent reply, and I wanted to echo the advice in it!
and encourage you to make the experiment! Hair is a gift God gave us, and Guru Gobind Singh directed us to keep intact! "Doing is believing" Best wishes and blessings to you! SP.