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 make you feel that you’ve aged, sagged and bought last year’s styles on sale.
If you’re thinking of splitting the difference with a Spa Special and a strategic 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 life, called redemption. There’s the movement toward decay, called drifting with the trends.
The people who love you will still care, no matter how you look. The people who rate you when you walk through the door will never care.
If you paralyze your face, how will your friends know you? Are you sad, mad, anxious? We don’t know where we stand, because your face is without expression.
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 please, keep the focus on health, not looks. And while you’re working on that, could you get your soul in shape for eternity? We want to be there together.
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 Saint Benedict 4. 45-54)
