Have a great horror of hell. Yearn for everlasting life with holy desire. Day by day remind yourself that you are going to die.… Do not love immoderate or boisterous laughter. (Rule of St. Benedict 4. 45-54)
There are those who remind you that you’re going to die, and encourage you to think about eternity. There are others who remind you that you’re getting older, and encourage you to think about Botulinum toxin.
One guy warns against flippant laughter. The other guy fixes your face so you can no longer laugh.
Religious types subtly make you feel that you could be a better person. Fashionable types subtly make you feel that you’ve aged, sagged and bought last year’s clothes on sale.
If you’re thinking of splitting the difference with the Spa Special and a charitable donation, realize that both sides will come at you with renewed zest. For every charitable gift, you’ll get a dozen new solicitations. For every photofacial, you’ll get a dozen new spots.
There’s no rest in this world for us. We’re caught in the movements called Time. There’s the movement toward eternal life, called redemption. There’s the movement toward eternal death, called drifting with the trend.
You know, the people who care about you will love you no matter how you look. On the other hand, the people who rate you when you walk through the door will never care, no matter what you do.
If you paralyze your face, your friends won’t know what’s going on with you. Are you sad, mad, anxious?We care. But we don’t know where we stand with you, because your face is without expression. Do you even like us anymore?
And guys, the problem is not that you’re losing your hair. The problem is that you’re going to die, and we will be left alone.
So do what you want with your look, but please keep the focus on your health. Above all, could you please make sure your soul is in shape for eternity? We want to be there together.
