Vanity
Approximately three thousand years ago a writer, known as "The Teacher," authored a book which made it into a canonical collection, now known as "The Holy Bible." This piece of wisdom literature is entitled "Ecclesiastes." It begins, in verse 2, "Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity." The message in this relatively brief twelve chapter book is to claim that a "life not centered on God is purposeless and meaningless."
Such a theme has evolved over the centuries to mean less about God and more about self. An older generation would refer to one's personal dressing table as the "vanity." Back in the 1970s Carly Simon penned and sang a song, "You're So Vain," ("...you probably think this song is about you,... don't you, don't you?") A new country song by Dwight Yoakum is "Blame the Vain." These three contemporary references to vanity show that vanity is not just a spiritual issue.
In fact, today's verbiage tends to be centered more on love, one's love partner, or possibly a social commentary on how centered we are on ourselves. Whether spiritual or secular, vanity connotes a negative behavioral trait, a trait no one (including the vain) wishes to have. To be vain involves conceit, foolishness, even futility (as in something is done "in vain.") Vanity can be an adjective for a page, or a fair, or a press. Personalized license plates are called "vanity plates."
The Teacher may have been right, "All is vanity." If that sounds too strong, perhaps there is agreement that "much" is vanity. In either instance, it would behoove us, as individuals and as a society, to steer away from such emptiness. Vanity confuses. Vanity is a charade. Vanity is smoke and mirrors in a world that clamors for authenticity and truth.
It is amazing how many vain people twist the simplest of comments to think that they (the comments) were intended for them. There must be a complex connection between vanity and paranoia. Both are irritants to healthy beings and systems. It is better to hold each other accountable to honesty and what "is," rather than what "appears." There is little value in the plumed nature of vanity, unless you're a peacock.
Such a theme has evolved over the centuries to mean less about God and more about self. An older generation would refer to one's personal dressing table as the "vanity." Back in the 1970s Carly Simon penned and sang a song, "You're So Vain," ("...you probably think this song is about you,... don't you, don't you?") A new country song by Dwight Yoakum is "Blame the Vain." These three contemporary references to vanity show that vanity is not just a spiritual issue.
In fact, today's verbiage tends to be centered more on love, one's love partner, or possibly a social commentary on how centered we are on ourselves. Whether spiritual or secular, vanity connotes a negative behavioral trait, a trait no one (including the vain) wishes to have. To be vain involves conceit, foolishness, even futility (as in something is done "in vain.") Vanity can be an adjective for a page, or a fair, or a press. Personalized license plates are called "vanity plates."
The Teacher may have been right, "All is vanity." If that sounds too strong, perhaps there is agreement that "much" is vanity. In either instance, it would behoove us, as individuals and as a society, to steer away from such emptiness. Vanity confuses. Vanity is a charade. Vanity is smoke and mirrors in a world that clamors for authenticity and truth.
It is amazing how many vain people twist the simplest of comments to think that they (the comments) were intended for them. There must be a complex connection between vanity and paranoia. Both are irritants to healthy beings and systems. It is better to hold each other accountable to honesty and what "is," rather than what "appears." There is little value in the plumed nature of vanity, unless you're a peacock.
posted by Joe Marek | 11:52 AM
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