what is vanity--is it when we wash our faces and check our laugh lines-
is it when we curl our hair and take the mirror to check the back--to see if we look as good coming as going
we can't escape it, it seems----we are bombarded with everything everywhere making us vulnerable to vanity---are our teeth white enough, does our breath have that minty fresh taste---is there any unwanted hair in sight---are our butts tight enough
does our lawn look as green as our neighbors, do our flowers reach their optimum bloom size
does our kid make the grade and do they go to a good college---if they don't, you probably won't see the stickers on the car windows
of course we know the bible says all is vanity and it is----we are but a vapor----
but still we do it, we buy the newest bent of metal, that makes us now look at our last year's model and recognize it's not as pretty anymore
we look at our butcher block counters and exclaim---i have got to get the marble counter tops, i just have to
we throw out last year's so out-of-date fashions---because someone tells us to
it will not end---we can only rebel and resist in small doses----we can only be released when we are in a place of pain or age, where we can no longer compete anyway-----and then we can marvel at the best spot we purchased in the cemetery---why it is much prettier than------
Just yesterday I listened to one of my yoga buddies talk about here facial injections to make her skin smoother. Another buddy piped in to say that we need to embrace every wrinkle; that we have earned them. Amen!
ReplyDeletei have to admit, i'm not taking this aging thing very well---just kinda hit me in the last year----oh well, what's the choice----bad thing is, i would probably be doing all the procedures out there if i had the money---i wish i felt like your embracing friend--that's awesome!!
DeleteI think I lost my need for a nice house a long time ago. I just want a kitchen ceiling that isn't missing a big piece of plaster. Maybe that is vanity cause it's not a hole. It just looks bad.
ReplyDeletehaha, no that is okay ruth---been there--hope ya get it fixed :)
DeleteBeen that way for 10 years. Maybe in a few years. Or not. Ha!
Deletei hear ya---i have so many projects that need to be done around our house---we don't have the time or money and honestly, i kinda go through cycles of caring and then not giving a hoot :)
Delete“There comes a time when you look into the mirror and you realize that what you see is all that you will ever be. And then you accept it. Or you kill yourself. Or you stop looking in mirrors.” - Something that goes along with your post I guess.
ReplyDeletewow---no i hope no one kills themselves because of my post ;0----haha no mirrors, love it :)
DeleteI have to admit I am as guilty of this as anyone else, despite my attempts not to be!! I am working on it though :-)
ReplyDeleteoh i think we all are--like i said, i don't think there is any escaping this, in this lifetime!
DeleteOh, yes. I'm guilty of this, too. It's so hard not to compare. Like Keith, I'm working on it... :)
ReplyDeleteHave a happy day!
that is where i all starts, comparing---unfortunately, we all do it---thanks dana :)
DeleteI am sooooo vain that it makes me crazy. I'm working on it too.
ReplyDeleteyou know, this may sound really vain---but because, i am just now realizing that i was pretty good-looking, back in the day---it almost makes getting old looking harder--haha, probably shouldn't have shared that, huh teresa ;)
DeleteId like to think Ive given up the vanity but Ive just modified it!
ReplyDeletehaha is that what we are calling it now--hilarious!
DeleteBeautifully written. I like the line that we are but a vapor.
ReplyDeletei was taking it a little out of it's original from the bible---thanks christine :)
DeleteI think it's okay to make sure we look as good going as we did coming. Grooming and the right kind of pride in ourselves and our lives is healthy. Leading a life of fret hanging on the opinion of others, on the other hand, is its own hell on earth.
ReplyDeleteWe are each a manifestation of the God who fashioned us and breathed into us life, will, the good kind of pride. Screw the marble countertops and the stickers in the window. We don't need to prove anything to anyone. We just need to know in our hearts who we already are, exquisite, unique, mysterious vapor slated for glory.
XX sweet Lynn.
haha i love you suze---i think you are the real thing :)
DeleteNice ending. A bit haunting. Like the release of breath at the end of a musical phrase that hints of something more to come.
ReplyDeletewow---that was awesome joy---thanks for the insights!
DeleteVanity, thy name isn't just woman anymore. Like Suze says, checking front and back views hopefully ensures we get no surprises. (labels hanging out, hair sticking straight out or up - when that's not your normal style)
ReplyDeleteThoughtful post Lynn, but it takes a bit of life experience before we have the confidence to go with our own sense of style (or lack of it).
oh it does take guts---and like they say "old age isn't for sissies"---finding that out big time haha---thanks d.g. :)
DeleteSad but true. The best we can do is to try to be content and happy with the lives we were given.
ReplyDeletewell said kate!
DeleteI think having kids has mostly cured me of this. I mean, having spit-up and fingerprints all over everything... Well, I haven't given up on the battle, but I don't cringe about driving my beat up minivan or worry about the dark circles under my eyes. I am what I am. Granted, I wouldn't mind adding to my wardrobe a little more regularly... ;)
ReplyDeletehaha i remember the spit-up days, and i don't think i thought as much about my personal vanity then as much as the keeping up with the "jones" back when the oldest kids were little---i think we just change up what we are vain about---but hey crystal, ya gotta have clothes, right!:)
DeleteI'm not vain, I'm ugly and very insecure about it!
ReplyDeleteawwww we all think that about ourselves, at one time or another :)
DeleteI have found a good way to keep my vanities in line, my paycheck and two kids in college.
ReplyDeletehaha that will surely do it susan :)
DeleteI think the source of vanity comes from a need to give the "right" impression to others, whatever that's supposed to be.
ReplyDeleteoh i think you hit it on the head---if we were all alone, we wouldn't care nearly as much---i know, if no one ever saw me, i would probably do nothing, except shower :)
DeleteI know people who cannot leave the house without perfect make-up. I on the other hand cannot wear it. I have taken the attitude: I am what you see. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletei absolutely hate to put on make-up although i have to say, i think i look tons better with it---and it only takes a few minutes---:)
DeleteI wish there was a clear line between making yourself presentable and caring for yourself and between vanity. Unfortunately, that line is blurry.
ReplyDeleteyou are right, there is that blurry line--excellent point!!!
DeleteTruer words were never spoken! :) Love the way you said that!
ReplyDeletetm
why thank you sweetie!:)
DeleteIt's sad that some people will not give up until they have the best cemetery lot. Great points Lynn!
ReplyDeleteJulie
haha i know---thanks jule ;)
Delete