Each year when November comes along, I will usually be well on my way to a thick (but well-kept) beard. It started in college when I originally took my cue from the players in the World Series. Back then, ballplayers letting their face grow long was almost universally reserved for the playoffs. A rite of passage of sorts. I also grew up around a lot of hunters who didn’t brave what was then a fierce November chill without a beard.
Over time beards became fashionable – the norm, even. But once you get out of college and enter to workforce, there tends to be a certain decorum for grooming, depending on the industry you’re in. Even so, it seems that in November, aka Movember, aka Novembeard, all bets are off. Those two names are sub-movements of No-Shave November when men raise money for research into men’s health issues by not shaving either their mustache or their beard. The money they save on razors and shaving cream etc., goes to the charity of their choice. It may not amount to much over a period of thirty days unless you are some kind of a follicly-gifted freak of nature. So guys, if you are growing a beard, you can do a quick estimate of the money you’ll save, or just make a donation of any amount to a wide variety of cancer foundations.
But No-Shave November is also designed to raise awareness of the issue of men’s health, and encouraging individuals to be self-aware of their own health. October was Breast Cancer Awareness month, a time for women to focus similarly on health concerns specific to them. Being that it leads directly into November, this time of year provides all men and women the opportunity to take a step back from our busy lives and make time to get the checkups we need to ensure we’re healthy. Importantly, it is never not a good time to focus on these concerns, but these two special months are a starting point for many.
As October soon turns to November, as the hunters are getting ready to pursue their pastime, and two teams fight for the championship of our National Pastime (there are a few fantastic beards on the field for this World Series by the way!), please – men and women – don’t let any more time pass. Get checked. You’ll be setting an example for generations after you. And just as importantly you’ll be ensuring yourself more valuable time with them.