Cerussite
How far would you go to look good? In centuries past, folks covered their faces in white powder that sickened them, drove them mad, and in some cases outright killed them. And yet it’s said that some of them refused to give up their makeup even as they lay dying. The source of this powder was cerussite, also known as white lead. In more recent times, it was added to paint to make rooms, furniture, and toys look more attractive, making it the leading cause of lead poisoning in children. Once we knew the harm it was causing, it still took a shockingly long time to pass laws against it, with some people fighting the laws every step of the way. When someone cares more about appearance, status, and money than health, sanity, and life itself, that’s a sure sign that their values are seriously out of whack. If cerussite is showing up for you now, it wants you to take a hard, honest look at your own values, and the values of those you’re spending your time with. If you, or the people you’re tuning into, care most about looking good or impressing people, you’re going to end up with some pretty serious regrets.
The Bottom Line
VANITY
“You may want to reassess your values.”
One Or More Of These Messages Are For You
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- Choosing your values is one of the most important decisions you will ever make, so it’s wise to be thoughtful and deliberate about it.
- Take stock for a moment: Do the people around you (or those you watch online) value power, status, and appearance above all else? We tend to become who we spend time with, so be selective about who you let into your world.
- Before adopting other people’s values and opinions, check first to see if they truly align with your own.
- Often the most intimidating people with the largest followings are unhappy beneath the surface. It’s easy to be in awe of them, but an imposing or attractive surface can mask a rotting interior.
- Focusing too much on looks, status, and appearance is a perfect way to get miserable.
