True Beauty
We live in a world that’s trying to convince us that beauty is skin deep. And who doesn’t sometimes get fooled? We asked filmmaker Andres de Paz to explore what beauty is really all about in the first of a series of video shorts designed to spark deeper discussion about popular topics. What’s your take on beauty? How have you moved beyond the skin-deep focus in your life? What helps you feel good about being you?
Posted on Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 at 7:38 pm | Follow responses with the RSS feedTopics: Beauty, Womens Issues | Tags: Self-esteem, self-image, self-loathing, self-worth
This makes me feel beautiful.
The boy band One Direction singing “What Makes You Beautiful”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-skZimFOOI
Hey everyone, you’re beautiful!
Thank you all so much for this discussion, I just found it! I really appreciate all the points of view expressed.
One thing I really like about the video is its rendition of how someone unique can become so stereotypical and “cookie-cutter”. By the time the makeup is on, the girl looks so generic… it’s like the person is gone and what’s left could be anyone… or no one at all.
This tendency to blend into the masses is everywhere, not just our concept of beauty, and it’s the opposite of God’s, Soul’s, infinite expression. It’s Theosophy.
I can’t wait to see/read more…
Did anyone see the recent Dr. Drew show where he had a panel of men share with women “what men really think”? Drew had on a cobalt blue sweater that just popped on my TV. Funny thing is I see him around town with his family and he never wears anything like that.
Those who are involved with drama or dance or the entertainment industry wear costumes and make-up to enhance, exaggerate, and tell a story on stage or for the camera. To me, the camera itself is an important thing to think about when it comes to beauty. It seems that most photos, videos, television shows or movies are created for an express purpose- to sell something, to make money as a business venture, to entertain, to communicate a message. Illusion is a big part of this, and a camera can be a tool to create a message that the ordinary eye would not see by zooming in on details. Computer programs can enhance colors and edit images so that the message is larger than real life. Even this TMC video on beauty uses an illusion to make a point. For example, as someone earlier pointed out, the actress herself is nothing like the role she is playing in the piece.
An acquaintance of mine came by my work after a day on the set of the TV show that she hosts. She still had make-up on, from her head to her neck and shoulders. It made her look a little strange and exaggerated in person, but she looks amazing on my TV! Sometimes it gets to me though, as she has a whole crew to enhance her while I do not. And as attractive as I might be spiritually, I still will never be the one to host a TV show, and will never be able to wear those very cool light torn jeans as well as the actress in this TMC video. So…this gets down to a question not of physical beauty, but to a question of …um…and this is uncomfortable…covetousness. Which is um…not beautiful. Then I really have to give myself a beauty treatment and know that each of us, including me, exists to impart beauty in a uniquely individual way. This silly song helps me- “All God’s Children Have a Place in the Choir”. I like the version with Glee’s Damian McGinty.
There is another thing about beauty that is a worrisome issue. That is the use of drugs to try and influence or regulate the body size or shape. A friend is looking into diet pills. And a guy I know did some modeling. He got into taking drugs to maintain a “look”. After a few successes in print, his career ended as his life became drug centered and his body degenerated. He ended up taking his life with an overdose. When I see his parents and his little nieces I wonder how this tragedy could have been prevented.
I can see how every woman or man can be thought of as beautiful due to the qualities of God that they express. It seems that it’s not about what someone looks like; it’s about what someone is DOING. A friend of mine was competing in a boat race, and her fiancé turned to me and said from the bottom of his heart “She is a NATURAL BEAUTY!” She was in old shorts and a tank top and did not have any make-up on. She had a boater’s tan line (not one from the tanning booth!). I totally agreed with him. The grace and joy and liveliness and intelligence she expressed combined to make a breath taking image.
And consider the life of Janette Weller, as described in the book Paths of Pioneer Christian Scientists by Christopher Tyner. She had a sad childhood as her parents were separated when she was three. By seventeen she was on her own. When she was twenty she found a job in a tailor shop, where in just months she was able to learn to sew pants, vests, and coats though it usually took an apprenticeship of seven years to learn this. She had a gift! Janette studied Christian Science with Mary Baker Eddy, and in addition to healing people also used her skill as a seamstress to make well fitting clothes for Mary that pleased her. Mary could then focus on what she was doing for church and for all mankind. “After one successful endeavor, Mary wrote Janette: ‘My dress is made and trimmed as beautiful as a painting. It has the effect of embroidery. The fit is perfect.’ “ p. 86. What each of these women were doing with their lives was beautiful, and they were able to do it beautifully. It is especially inspirational that what they were doing was helping others.
I don’t really watch TV, and even when I do it’s definitely not shows like Dr. Drew! I did a couple of Google searches to find out what he might have said, and I kind of got the general gist of what he has to say about beauty, sex, and so on. None of it is very surprising — it’s a lower level of thought that I would expect from the media –, but none of it is very enlightening, either. It starts with the premise that physicality and animal lust are just an indispensable part of human nature. That sort of thinking really minimizes God into an optional nothing and can be mesmeric.
Mary Baker Eddy says that “The good in human affections must have ascendency over the evil and the spiritual over the animal, or happiness will never be won.” So honestly, I’d recommend turning off the trashy TV shows; they never help anybody’s self image!
I love your honesty and willingness to be open about covetousness. And please don’t think you’re alone; I think it’s fairly normal for everyone, men and women alike, to go through those experiences of covetous feelings, comparing themselves with others, at some point or another. But the beauty of Christian Science is that it shows you how to rise out of that, no longer feeling jealous of others because you come to realize just how needed, valuable, and beautiful you yourself are. God doesn’t make mistakes! And He doesn’t play favorites either. It is a divine law that He loves you and that you need to feel that Love.
And thank you for sharing the story about your friend and her fiancé; that is inspiring! Just goes to show that when you love someone, you only see the good and the beautiful. In fact, I’ve known many married people who have said things like their spouse actually becomes more beautiful to them as the years go by.
Nice video! I don’t think you can knock art. Everyone may have a different opinion but art is art. I love the build up of the problem that certain people can relate to which makes one eager to see where it is leading. Then the simple contemplative ending to make you think. Beautifully done!
The conversations made me think of the very old movie ET as a great example of where true beauty comes from. When I saw that movie many moons ago, I was impressed by the fact that the alien (ET) was so ugly when I first saw this little green or gray thing. But after seeing the alien’s sweetness and goodness and innocence, somewhere into the movie this little alien became so beautiful to my eyes, and yet the physical appearance never changed.
And for all you Gleesters out there, think about Quinn. She is one of the most beautiful girls on the show but they scripted her to be really evil and she lost her beauty to me during those episodes.
I also remember a woman many years ago who was a Christian Science healer, and who was extremely heavy set, but she took care of herself and expressed such an amazing amount of love all the time that I never thought about or noticed her weight at all. She just seemed beautiful to me.
I think everyone can think of their own examples of how people appear beautiful or ugly depending on the qualities they express.
WOW. I have to say that the video was good at showing how ridiculous and vain our “mortal selves” can be when it comes to beauty in today’s society. I think this is a great wake up call for girls who are going through habits like this every day. Keep up the great work and hope to see more videos, or maybe a continuation video :)
Terrific video. Refreshing, honest, relevant. Keep up the good work.
What is the name of the song/artist that plays first in the video?
His name is Christopher Farach.
All of the music from the video is by him, the first one is called “I Need you know.”
Here’s a couple of his links:
I Need You Know
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Upv2V3xZGI&feature=related
The World vs. You and I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a1WXbZZAT0
Here’s an article that might relate, too. http://www.spirituality.com/article.jhtml?ElementId=/repositories/shcomarticle/Jan2012/1325614948.xml&ElementName=When%20your%20best%20friends%20bully%20you
When I was in high school, we had this lovely mature Sunday School teacher who to me was so beautiful because of the grace, peace and poise that she expressed. Although I could not put it into words at the time, I wanted that sense of peace about myself. I equated it as true beauty and I felt at the time I was far away from it. I knew intuitively though and through what I was being taught in Sunday School that it was my true nature. Every weeks for many months, she gave the middle school girls in her class, of many physical shapes and sizes, what she called a “Soul” treatment or true beauty treatment. She helped us through the Bible and Mrs. Eddy’s writings to find a new, better, spiritual view of ourselves and what true beauty meant. I understood spiritual individuality by the time we were done with our Soul treatments and began to see it in my self and others. What a lovely journey of discovery to be on. I wish to thank that Christian Science Practitioner Sunday School teacher for changing my life and how I view myself. What I learned from Mary Baker Eddy and the Bible that she opened up for me not only helped my in high school and college, but has given me such a peace with myself and helped me see things through the eyes of divine Love. Enjoy your journey and thank you “time4thinkers” for opening up the dialogue of sharing.
Rosemary – what I love about what you shared is that you’re learning. It’s clear to me that you’re learning about your relationship with God and God’s relationship with everyone. This lesson will be a good foundation for helping others as they struggle with these same issues.
I’m reading “We knew Mary Baker Eddy” the expanded version and yesterday I was reading the chapter written by Abigail Dyer Thompson (page 146-153). She talks about a time when Mary Baker Eddy encourages her to be careful to keep a record of her healing cases for future reference.
So I’m pass this bit of wisdom on to you. I really wish I had kept better records of some of the healings that have happened in my life and every year, I plan to do a better job at it.
Thanks for sharing
hi guys, ive been reading your comments on this and wishing id found it months earlier! A few months ago i got back from a camp in america (im english) and was “finished” by my boyfriend.i was upset but i was like ok im just a kid ill be fine.But this guy and his friends started to bully me and another of my friends, and it really hurt us, these were guys we’d been going to school with for years, wed been best friends with some of them and now they were talking about us, spreading rumours and posting things over facebook. naturaully i decided to pray but the situation didnt seem to be improving. I started to pretend to ignore them, but what everyone would comment on was the fact that i didnt hate them, i didnt say mean things about them back. this just seemed naturual to me as i have been brought up to “love my neighbour” and i knew that these guys were nice people. However the problem was that i did start to belive the things that they were saying, i started to think of myself as “ugly”. All this was months ago and im starting to actually rebuild my friendships with some of the guys, but this video and all your comments has really helped me and reminded me what real beauty is. thanks guys :)
Wow Rosemary!!! You fought back with the might of spiritual power! I love how putting the Golden Rule into action turned things around with the guys. And that same spiritual power can immediately help you see the beauty that I see in you from what you wrote. I don’t have to know what you look like to know that you really are beautiful–and nothing can stop you or anyone else from seeing that!
I’ve read the comments posted and was surprised by some. I guess, because I happen to know the young woman, I enjoyed the concept…it’s so unlike the girl I know! And isn’t that something to think about when we think about individuals whether we are acquainted or not? What are we looking at or looking for? That’s a pretty demanding question. A note I have on my mirror is a partial quote from Mary Baker Eddy: “…gain more correct views of God and man.” My view of my fellowman and my view/concept of myself is lifted as I lift my concept of God…a daily challenge and opportunity. I’m looking forward to sharing this with my granddaughters and my Sunday school class. Well done and thanks. Look forward to the next edition on T4T!
I thought the video did a great job capturing the frantic but persistent thoughts that can plague all of us when we’re thinking about our bodies, looking into the mirror, wondering if we’re good enough, etc. The message at the end about paying less attention to the surface qualities and more attention to the quality of Soul that’s behind beauty is so important. I think that message is so clear in this video and gives each of us something else to consider when we find ourselves spiraling into self-destructive thinking.
I love David’s comments here. I was talking today with someone about “looking in the mirror,” and not always being satisfied with the image you see, and what she had to say in reply was wonderful. She said that you don’t have to feel bad when you look in the mirror, because what you’re seeing there is always a counterfeit. And what you see in the mirror there only tries to hide who you really are. And she pointed out that even in the extreme, when a person does look like a skinny supermodel, that actually serves to hide their true image from view behind the material even more. A person’s true beauty or true handsomeness is relative to their Godliness, and that is so attractive.
Found this today in the New International Version of the Bible…
Do Not Worry
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6&version=NIV
Because I read all the intriguing comments and the awesome spirituality.com articles BEFORE watching the video, I was prepared to be discomfited by it — to let it challenge me, as itsaboutgood says it should. It did. I was. Rather, I am. Andres, thanks for showing me so starkly where to focus my prayers: on the authentic spiritual individuality of everyone my thought touches.
I thought when she washed her face, it was a beautiful symbol of her desire to start fresh. To be cleansed of the ugliness (even the death-like look) of a contrived, superficial appearance. To start on a path toward accepting and loving herself. I can’t wait to see her metamorphosis in coming videos….
I thought the video was right on, accentuating the absurdity and obsession we have with self image, (especially forced on young woman), as well as the contradiction of self image, when all this make-up is often covering up real beauty and self.
I also thought it was especially timely considering this weekend we had teh grand objectification pageant, the Miss America Pageant.
Good work T4T and Andres
What I love most about this video is it challenges us to practice Christian Science. It throws an intense suggestion at us through visual artistry and we are left feeling uncomfortable unless we DO something about it in our thought. We must reverse the images – so commonly bombarding us constantly through the media – and take up the idea of beauty via the statistics shared, also.
We’re not supposed to like or not like the video – we’re supposed to do something about it.
Keep up the good, Andres and crew.
It’s not what’s on the outside, but what’s on the inside that matters. :-) That goes for how much we love our self and how much others love us. We’ll never find our self in a mirror, nor will what we see in a mirror be what attracts anyone who is truly attracted to us. It’s all on the inside. Who we are as God’s IDEA, not a material body. “The kingdom of Heaven is within you!” :-)
I don’t think this video says wear less or no makeup. That’s too literal an interpretation. I think this woman’s struggle in this video (using makeup as a prop) is about not feeling whole. Yes, the solution (symbolically exemplified by washing her face) came too fast and we don’t know why it came. But like Lisa, I think the whole video is just to encourage us to think differently. I will share this video with my friends who know nothing about Christian Science-and then we can talk about it.
Thank you for addressing this topic in such a direct and visual way. There’s so much discussion and opinion out there about what makes us beautiful, and I’m glad this site is a forum where I know the discussion will be substantive and helpful.
I also wasn’t entirely satisfied with this video, it could spend more time on that idea of Soul—what makes each of us completely beautiful all the time! It’s important not to just say “wear less makeup” or “spend less time in front of the mirror,” because many women may not feel ready to take that step unless there is that foundation of spiritual beauty to rely on. I would have liked to see the character in the video expressing Soul’s beauty in interacting with friends, helping a neighbor, or trying something new—things we can all commit to doing, no matter what we look like when we walk out the door.
I do appreciate, though, that this video can encourage women and men to “think differently,” as another one of Andres’ awesome videos shows. (http://time4thinkers.com/think-differently/)
We reflect God in our spirit, meaning in our attitude, being in happy spirits, in the quality of the thoughts we think, in the joy we feel. The physical is just the color and form of that spirit. Joy leads us to know how to express beauty through our clothing and presentation etc., but we are not dressing matter to satisfy animal cravings. The pressure of living life for another, as this video portrays, is having an idol motivate our choices rather than letting God’s joy move us. That idol makes us sad and feel never good enough and it makes us think we need another in order to feel whole, happy and have a great life. How about a video that shows how to love our own thoughts and experience enough that we don’t let our sense of ourselves become influenced by what we think about others? We will find that we are satisfied and beautiful because we are in such good spirits, accurately reflecting the one good Spirit, and that is such a right, irresistibly attraction. Dress yourself first in happy, good, valuable thoughts about yourself and your day then your happy spirit will find their necessary expression in beautiful smiles, beautiful clothing, a great haircut, even down to the perfect color of nail polish, if so desired. Soul brings out our best details when God’s joy of living dresses us for the day.
Wow folks, what a great video! I saw myself in it too — at least the way I used to be. SO many crazy hours at the mirror, stressed, disoriented, spinning in a cyclone of my own criticism.
And though I absolutely love the video, I also love Estey’s idea of a video that shows people through the eyes of LOVE. When we see someone we love, what do we “see”? All our memories of their goodness, their warmth, their support, their trustworthiness. “Love never loses sight of loveliness. Its halo rests upon its object.”
Now that’s a challenge for even the most talented TMCY filmmaker!
Hi Nina,
Make sure to stay tuned for the next video! Production it’s already on its way =)
Hey all! Appreciate the discussion. Here are a couple of articles from cssentinel.com that relate to the topic.
http://www.spirituality.com/article.jhtml?ElementId=/repositories/shcomarticle/May2010/1273188570.xml&ElementName=A%20drama-free%20me
http://www.spirituality.com/article.jhtml?ElementId=/repositories/shcomarticle/Sep2011/1317234585.xml&ElementName=Who,%20me…’perfect’?
http://www.spirituality.com/article.jhtml?ElementId=/repositories/shcomarticle/Jul2009/1247665271.xml&ElementName=My%20spiritual%20makeup
-J
Triple WOW! These are all such powerful and helpful articles. Everyone should read them!
GREAT ARTICLE! I love this thought from it: “Every good, pure, and beautiful thought that we’ve ever had is proof of our unbreakable connection with God. It’s proof of our beauty.” Thanks for proving me beautiful.
Kristin —
I love your comments and your honesty.
I wrote an article for spirituality.com about 5 years ago on the topic of beauty (http://www.spirituality.com/article.jhtml;jsessionid=Q04FUACL22K1ZKGL4LYCFEQ?ElementId=/repositories/shcomarticle/Dec2006/1166115165.xml&ElementName=Real%20beauty%20is%20more%20than%20skin%20deep). I sometimes cringe when I think of it. Not because I disagree with what I wrote…I still believe it all, but I’ve struggled with some of the issues since it was published.
I think the whole beauty thing and it’s connection to self-worth is something that comes at women (and men too!) pretty consistently and we need to stay on top of it mentally and metaphysically. And if you don’t deal with this, do your neighbor a favor and pray to support her! Like you, Kristin, I’d rather have authenticity. That’s beautiful to me. :)
That is an AWESOME article! Thanks for sharing!
Sometimes I wonder if God made a mistake in how I look.
He got my best friend and my gorgeous mother right, but not me. I have my dad’s build and his nose.
Yet often I realize that I am so much more than my body, or my clothes, or make-up. On good days, I understand that I, me, my soul, is an idea of God. God is thinking and creating me and this idea of me is incredibly beautiful and fresh and attractive to others, particularly guys :). I feel completely like the “whole-souled woman” that Mary Baker Eddy writes about.
And then there are days like yesterday when I see on Google News that someone did a study about why smart people tend to be ugly…and does that make the reverse true too? Sigh….
When I was in high school I called and made an appointment with a Christian Science practitioner. I did not tell anyone. I went all by myself to see him. I asked him to pray for me because I felt I was too fat. He did not say much, but he was very kind and loving and he asked me to think about the idea “The recipe for beauty is to have less illusion and more Soul.” I have been thinking about beauty and soul, and Soul-God ever since.
But after watching this video today, this is the first time I have really thought about what is illusion. And I don’t think I want to have illusion in my life. I think I’d rather have authenticity.
Still trying to figure it all out, but hey, thanks.
I really do not think that HE Cares about ur image
Hi skylar. If you mean that God loves every one just as HE creates them to express their unique purpose in His design,and that He does not care what the style of our clothes or shape of our body is, I agree. If you mean in a more specific way that I am too into my “image” then gosh, I agree too. Working on that.
I am finding it is good to look beyond body/clothes/make-up/jewelry to the ideas they stand for. After talking to the practitioner I started seeing that I have a really strong body, and when I exercise the quality of “strength” in sports I feel true beauty in my life.
I have paid close attention to how Mary Baker Eddy dressed and expressed beauty when reading biographies written about her. Once someone gave her a diamond ring to thank her for healing them. It was an heirloom, the most valued thing this person had in her possession, so I can imagine how their life must have been changed. Mrs. Eddy wore that ring, although some people thought it was not appropriate. Humble Jesus, they said, would never have done so. Yet, how wonderful to be clothed in “gratitude”.
As we are what HE made us to be, strong, loving, healing it seems that what to wear and how to be in regular life should come naturally and easily and also be exactly right.
I’m not a Christian Scientist and this is the first time I’ve been to this site. I don’t really understand the comments but I saw myself when I watched the video. That’s me every single morning. I’d like to learn more about the quote at the end.
Hi Samantha! I’m really glad you found this video and shared your response. I think it’s really interesting how the filming style near the end, as she’s rushing trying to get more makeup on, gets so hectic and really made me think of those scenes in movies where the characters are indulging in addictions of different sorts. The other theme that ran through my head the whole time is, “Why doesn’t she see that she’s really pretty in the first place?” I guess it’s because she didn’t look the way that she thought that others would want her to look and that tunnel vision sort of blocks us from seeing what’s there.
I’ve loved that quote they show at the end – it always speaks to me a little differently depending on the day and the need. Today it makes me think of how when we’re trying to attract other people to us, it always creates an illusion, because instead of being ourselves, we’re trying to be who we think others want us to be, which is often just a big guessing game. But, the more we know ourselves and can cherish who we are – can cherish Soul (a synonym for God) being expressed as us – then that is SO attractive.
What did the quote make you think about?
Hi Samantha,
The quote is from “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” by Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer of Christian Science. It is found on page 247 and reads in full, “The recipe for beauty is to have less illusion and more Soul, to retreat from the belief of pain or pleasure in the body into the unchanging calm and glorious freedom of spiritual harmony.”
Mary Baker Eddy points out frequently in her writings that we cannot look to a material sense of ourselves to find satisfaction or perfection because it is a limited perspective of what God truly made. Looking to God (the divine Soul), not in matter, but in qualities of individuality, is where we find the real “us.” And we are beautiful and satisfied. May you find everything you are searching for in a more permanent sense of beauty!
Hi everyone, this is turning into a lively discussion! Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts. I’m grateful for this forum that allows us to freely express different perspectives. Thanks TMCY!
Well to me the video points out what we deal with in a visual way and then leaves it it open so each can pursue the solution in their own individual way…rather than preaching without practice.
In many ways the images in this video communicate something more powerful than words could ever express. The images which identify the belief that our body, clothes, makeup, etc are the source of beauty and are the objects which please and satisfy are powerful and awaking.
I was uncomfortable with the video, too…but I think that’s great. I appreciate being uncomfortable occasionally…sometimes it wakes me up. Thanks.
I liked this video as it demonstrated to me how much time and effort go into some young women’s mornings to meet an ideal of physical beauty. Men typically are spared the trouble which seems highly unfair. My wife rarely uses makeup and that’s one of the many things that initially attracted me to her. It’s unfair that so much emphasis is placed on women’s appearance in our culture.
I really love dramatic climax at the end where our heroine realizes she had all this “material gunk” as Estey says piled on and it is clear that in this world, we get a lot of gunk. But after her realization, just like that, she washes it all away and purifies her image. Didn’t take the same amount of time, was quick. Instantaneous. I was really happy to share this video on a facebook page called To Write Love on Her Arms actually because I felt like it was more relateable.
I am glad there is different perspective on this. I really love this idea from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy’s book quoted in the video.
“Beauty is a thing of life,” it says, “which dwells forever in the eternal Mind and reflects the charms of His goodness in expression, form, outline, and color. It is Love which paints the petal with myriad hues, glances in the warm sunbeam, arches the cloud with the bow of beauty, blazons the night with starry gems, and covers earth with loveliness.” p 247
Hi Estey and Gordon,
The point of this video short series is to be a springboard to a discussion about these issues from a spiritual standpoint. Just so you know, I showed the storyboard to a group of 15 year old girls and then their moms to see if it resonated. Every single one said something like “That’s me.” And then their interest was piqued (none of them were Christian Scientists)…. They wanted to know about a different perspective.
We welcome your thoughts–what you’ve already shared and thoughts on how to deal with those depressing statistics.
Don’t get me wrong, Amy, I can definitely see how it’d be a great conversation-starter — particularly for people with little knowledge of Christian Science. And I can indeed see the usefulness of sharing this as a way to open dialogue and reach out to people who might otherwise feel alienated or helpless. But I’m more eager to see where this will lead to next, out of the problem and into solutions! It’s really just a first step on this walk that God is leading.
We’re eager to see where the discussion will lead, too.
Hi, I usually really enjoy the videos on this site (formerly tmcyouth.com), but this one doesn’t help girls with the issue of true beauty at all. The entire video, except the last 30 seconds or so, depicts only the problems in our society – the vanity, the extreme focus on clothes and make-up, etc, and the statistics mentioned are super depressing, too. The only time some solution is offered is when the quote is shown very quickly at the end. “Science and Health” is the book by Mary Baker Eddy that the quote comes from, and it’s not attributed, so… there’s that, too. I’m curious to see what other people think of this video. I won’t be sharing it with anyone.
I suggest that if there is another video on this subject, we focus on the good stuff – women who are beautiful, intelligent, kind – and focused on God, not material gunk. Also if there are any quotes, please attribute them so those unfamiliar with Christian Science can find them.
LOL! I appreciate Estey’s honesty here. I had a similar impression: that it was far too focused on the problem — on the “human situation” — with the actual solutions — ideas relating to God — minimized into really just a brief afterthought at the end. God has to come first!
Nevertheless, the statistics are indeed startling and this is a very serious issue on the minds of a lot of women, young and old, and if nothing else this video will help to start the conversation on these topics that are so deserving of our prayers.
Estey, if you haven’t already listened it, check out Rebecca Odegaard’s chat over on spirituality.com titled A New View of the True You: A Spiritual Approach to Body Image. She is someone who struggled with eating disorders both herself and with her daughter, and she has a lot of practical and helpful ideas on this same topic that are very much worth sharing!
Thanks for your comments Estey. We appreciate all perspectives.
In regards to your comment about not citing Science and Health in the video – most of the quotes shared in books/online today just have the person’s name. I love finding and sharing cool ideas from a wide variety of sources. If I come across something and don’t know the author or where its from, I just use Google. Searching by a name or a part of the quote yields a ton of information about the context and usually is more helpful to me than simply the name of the book. I can see your point as well, and in other videos we’ve cited the book. But I don’t think people need it to figure out how to get more information about it, Mary Baker Eddy, or Christian Science.