To Ease the Passing of Time

In our religious tradition that goes back to the Bible, the beauty of the body was often linked to the beauty of the soul. The animals that were offered in sacrifice, whether they were lambs, calves or birds, had to be physically perfect in order to be accepted by God. Imperfections of the body were considered as a reflection of the imperfections of the soul. In the Old Testament, leprosy was associated with sin. Lepers were ostracised, not only because they were contagious, but because they were considered as sinners. We now know that the disease which is caused by a bacterium can be cured with the proper medication. It's not a punishment; it's just a disease.

In the fairy tales of our childhood, the princess was not only pretty with beautiful white skin; she also had a kind and pure heart to match her beauty. The witches, on the other hand, on top of being evil and mean, were always ugly. In the ads that we see on TV or in magazines to advertise all kinds of stuff and products that are supposed to make us more happy, we always see beautiful and smiling people having fun together. If you have beautiful hair and flawless skin, people will love you more, and you’ll be happier. That’s the message that is sent to us.

Of course, this is not true. It is also not true that beautiful people, especially pretty woman, are always selfish and shallow. The beauty or the absence of beauty that we can see outside a person has nothing to do with what that person really is inside. We must forget what we were told and taught, often in a very subtle and indirect manner. We need to sharpen our vision and our ears to see and hear the soul that lives and breathes beneath the surface.