Admittedly, I’m in the minority in my belief about this particular thing, but that’s all right. I don’t mind. Anyhow, this thought has been running through my mind lately: what is your opinion of yourself? And, does your outer appearance show your self-image or does your self-opinion show in your outer appearance?
I often see people in the grocery store wearing pajamas. Frequently, their hair is uncombed and they look like they’ve just gotten out of bed, thrown on a coat, and come to the store. What is their self-image, I wonder. I sure hope it’s a little better than the way they look.
Nobody wants to be preached to, certainly not younger people who are trying to assert their individualism and disdain for worn-out mores. I remember not all that long ago, the idea that we should be the best we can be. We should take pride in being who we are. Others’ opinions of ourselves are not nearly as important as our own. There should be a happy meeting place between being comfortable and expressing individualism versus an utter disdain for what has been considered decent for a long time.
And, I’m not suggesting we are supposed to be dressed to the nines each time we step out of the house.
I’m probably not making myself clear here. Is thumbing one’s nose at the establishment really showing individualism or is it a form of immaturity and, really, a sheep-like adherence to following any rebellious trend?
When I see folks like that I remember that every day some in town have just lost a family member or been up all night at the hospital with one who is barely hanging on, some are severely depressed and barely aware of anything but a need for food and to be at home, safe again, some are disoriented due to mental illness and don’t realize how they look to others. Some were sent away from the place they were staying, perhaps without their belongings. And some were not raised to think about—or have given up on meeting—society’s expectations of their appearance. Life is very hard for some of our neighbors and it shows. I try to imagine myself in their stories and to love them all. “Everything is a lesson or a blessin’.”
A very good and compassionate answer, Kimberly. Thank you.