The Image that We Present

Our personal image expresses our beliefs and how we regard life in general. As we look at other people, we are constantly reminded that we are only one of the billions that inhabit this world and that we are an important part of it. The very way we live as individuals shows others where we stand in society. All people have a set of beliefs that are reflected in their image and that are different from others. They believe that they are right and that’s all that is necessary. They don't need or want anyone else telling them they are wrong – they wouldn’t believe it anyhow.

A person’s personal image of themselves is one of the most important things that we have that expresses who we really are. We cannot hide who we are. Our personal image is what other people perceive. It is the image that we project to others that allows them to come to know us. We do try to make people believe that we are truly the person we are trying to present to them and not what others may believe.

The teachings of one’s parents and society forms ones personal image that stays with them throughout their life. For some, just the way they walk, the way they dress or the look on their face tells all. To others, it's only when they open their mouth that they can be known. And yet, everybody has, what is known as, "off days". For some reason they just keep saying and doing the wrong things or talking when they should be quiet, and because we are always changing, our image also changes from minute-to-minute and day-to-day.

We are told in the Bible and by our parents not to judge others "lest ye be judged" and yet, we can't help judging everyone we meet. It is part of our personal image and it is because we were taught to judge others from the time of our birth. For some, it became a survival mechanism in order for them to survive in a "hostile" world. This is seen in every walk of life from the poorest to the richest. We judge others and the question may come up, how can we change that image? Can going to church change our image? I believe that the answer is yes. Going to church and studying the Bible, their belief system and teachings can change a person’s image and their very outlook on life. I have known criminals who became “born again Christians” that have developed a new image for themselves; an image of humbleness, loving care and respect. These people have discovered within themselves their own true nature - the real person. It doesn’t matter how it happened the fact is it did. Did the church give this to them? The true image of a person is within. Church is only one place where one's image can be developed.

All churches teach personal responsibility. This teaching goes beyond anything that is taught in the school of life and produces an image of us that is reflected in our every action and thought. We are taught from an early age that “life is the pits" and "we are to do them before they can do us" - what ever that means. The church has its own image. The church represents God, a way of life and a way of looking at things that reflects our true beliefs.

Can the church help people develop a new image for themselves? I believe so. The church through its teaching of the "Principle of Personal Responsibility" provides the most effective means of changing one's personal image.

As a psychologist in Hawaii, Paul Pearsall, Ph.D., wrote in his book, “Miracle in Maui”, how he took personal responsibility to a new level. He took personal responsibility to mean that he was responsible for the criminally insane men that he worked with and through his understanding, brought sanity to those men. Through his work on himself, the men were rehabilitated and moved to prisons where they were no longer a threat to themselves and the lives of others. He understood that it was him that caused those men to be insane in the first place. So he simply worked on himself. He went within to correct the source of the insanity and cure the illness. As you can see, one man's personal image of himself and practicing personal responsibility made the difference. He changed the image that others had of themselves to become who they really were. A lesson we can all learn.

I had never thought about personal responsibility in the terms the Hawaiian psychologist did, and it made me think of just how important my own image is and how as a Spiritualist my image is reflected in my life. Having the truth about life through personal responsibility presents an image of our teachings and us. What a difference we could make in this world.