Constant preening or a preoccupation with fashion and personal grooming can conceal real beauty and grace. Maintaining a natural, normal appearance is certainly appropriate; but the kind of attention that approaches a worship of the physical body needs rethinking. Realizing more of man's true spiritual nature as the beautiful expression of Soul can help free us from an overburdening concern about outward appearances.

Much of today's mass media and commercial advertising promotes an artificial standard or norm for physical beauty and attractiveness. The public spends much time, money, and misdirected energy hoping to get hold of this glamorous ideal; but the standard is unrealistic. Most of us don't measure up to the physical appearance commonly portrayed as beautiful. So the resulting frustration and feelings of inadequacy drive many to a low estimation of their own worth. Still, the come-on continues—and more time and resources are wasted trying to achieve some artificially created "look." To heal this false emphasis on materiality requires surrendering material self-absorption and accepting a more spiritual standard for thinking and living.

Christ Jesus tells us to give up anxious thought-taking about physical appearances—what we "shall put on." He assures us, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." ^{Matt. 6:25, 33;} As we learn to appreciate the lasting significance and power of his words, we won't let material objects and desires control our happiness and sense of well-being. True beauty is found in the authentic nature of man as the image of God. An awareness of this truth can brighten human character with at least a glint of the real gemstone, enhancing not only the way we appear but also the way others appear to us. The beauty of Christ begins to shine in our life.

This leads to another aspect of appearances—how we see others. In large measure, how we view our fellow men and women has a direct impact on how we view ourselves and, in turn, how we appear to others. The spiritual qualities that man embodies are universal, though expressed individually. No one is excluded or shortchanged: love and true loveliness, good and true godliness, are represented throughout God's creation. Therefore we should look for and pray to discern these qualities in others.

When we are honest and forthright with others, we help them to reciprocate with thoughtful consideration and sincerity. It is the highest honesty to see and love one's neighbor as the image and likeness of Soul. No deception or self-serving attaches itself to this spiritually motivated seeing and loving. As we strive to bring our perceptions of man more in line with genuine being, we begin to put on what St. Paul called the "new man." Mrs. Eddy writes, "What a faith-lighted thought is this! that mortals can lay off the 'old man,' until man is found to be the image of the infinite good that we name God, and the fulness of the stature of man in Christ appears." ^{Miscellaneous Writings, p. 15.}

This is the appearance we should be endeavoring to realize and maintain—the Christly stature! Approaching our affairs from the standpoint of consistent, God-centered honesty, we attend to the things that really matter, the things of Spirit. What we see of ourselves and others will more and more agree with what man actually is: beautiful, good, and pure—ever complete as Love's reflection.