Inside Out

We live in a world where we are increasingly encouraged to believe that appearances are everything. We are constantly bombarded with images of “perfection” and “beauty”, and it's easy to fall into the trap of believing that if something or someone looks good, then they must be good for us. The message being transmitted is that worth can be determined based on how a thing looks like. Job opportunities open when you “look” the part. Associations are made based on image. Now, with the pressures of demand via social media, many strive to present a carefree and wealthy life, masking the truth of grit necessary to reach success. It's easy to look at someone who has achieved great success and assume that they were simply born with natural talent or luck. However, the truth is that great things take a great deal of effort. Whether it's building a successful business, mastering a skill, or achieving a personal goal, it takes much more than looking good. Reality is that appearances can be deceiving, and things that look good on the surface can be horrible or even harmful to us...And there it is! It’s not about the look, it's about the work.

One of the most common examples of things that look good but are actually harmful is processed food. We've all been tempted by the colorful packaging and enticing advertisements for sugary snacks and fast food, but the truth is that these foods are often loaded with unhealthy ingredients like sugar, salt, and fat. Despite their appealing appearance, they can have negative effects on our health, such as obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. It's important to read labels and make informed choices about what we put into our bodies, rather than relying on appearances alone. Another example is toxic relationships. It's easy to be drawn to people who are charming, charismatic, and good-looking, but these traits can sometimes mask underlying issues like emotional manipulation, control, and abuse. Just because someone looks good on the surface doesn't mean that they are treating us with respect and kindness. It's important to pay attention to how people make us feel and to prioritize our own well-being in our relationships. Material possessions can look good but be harmful. We're often told that buying the latest gadgets, clothes, or cars will make us happy and successful, but the truth is that these things can often lead to debt, stress, and dissatisfaction. We need to be mindful of how we spend our money and what we prioritize in our lives. Just because something looks good or is marketed as a "must-have" doesn't mean that it's worth sacrificing our financial stability or mental health for.

Social media has perpetuated this problem in a drastic way. It's easy to compare ourselves to others based on their carefully curated online personas, but the reality is that social media often presents an unrealistic and distorted view of other people's lives. Now, I do believe there can be benefits to social media. So, by no means do I make a claim that it is completely useless or harmful. However, we do need to be mindful of the impact that social media can have on our mental health and self-esteem. Ask yourself, do you prioritize real-life connections or experiences over online that provide validation

Just because something or someone looks nice on the surface doesn't mean that they are good or healthy for us. We need to be able to look beyond the surface and evaluate things based on their true value and impact. This applies to everything from material possessions to people and relationships. We need to prioritize what is truly important and beneficial.? Sometimes, this will mean letting go of things or people. Value substance over style. Doing so will only lead to well-being, happiness, and real success.

Appearances can be deceiving. Things that look good on the surface can have no true benefit. We need to look beyond just images and evaluate things based on their true value and impact. Skin or meat, surface or deep? The answer will determine the impact made. The next time you find yourself worrying about your outward appearance, remember that what's on the inside is what truly matters.