Mirror, Mirror...On The Wall...

     Most of us are concerned about our physical-appearances, taking time, each, day, to 'check ourselves out', in the mirror, ensuring that we 'look our best' before we 'head-out' on our way to greet the world. I agree that it is important to care for our external-selves, putting forth the effort to stay in shape, keeping ourselves clean and presentable, as we do, indeed, have an obligation to care for the 'temple' of our soul, after all. Growing up Catholic, as both my Mom and Dad did, and, being indoctrinated into the Faith through attending Mass, and, Catechism, as well as Parochial-school, one of the overriding messages, communicated by the Sisters who taught them, was this: 'Cleanliness is next to Godliness.' My Mother would, on occasion, while raising us, echo this, same, sentiment to us, as we were growing-up, and, up to a point in my young-adulthood, I, always, believed, that, this, point of view, based upon, Christian-'philosophy' referred to the caring for one's physical-self. To a degree, it does, insofar as understanding the need to respect our bodies and care for them, is concerned, as they 'house' our spiritual-selves. However, I understand, better, today, that, the 'cleanliness' to which the Nuns referred was in reference to our, 'spiritual-selves', and, the 'thoughts, words, and, deeds', we are responsible for, in keeping in line with our Christian-beliefs; these, reflecting our, own inner-'beauty', or, lack, thereof. Imagine, then, if you will, staring into a 'looking-glass', and, seeing your, inner-self, mirrored back at you; would you like what you see, based on what resides in your 'soul'? Would your image cast the 'Light' of a spirit, which, is Love-filled, or would it waver for the lack of that 'Light'? Taking care to ensure that we are 'clean' in spirit, is, equally, if not MORE, important to the, 'keeping-clean' of our bodies, and, whether or not, we 'see' it, in ourselves, while gazing at our faces, in a 'glass', it will be obvious, to those around us, what dwells 'within', as, it is 'reflected' in our behavior(s). Just Sayin'...