keeping up with appearances

digital painting by Lohbado

Lohbado dreamed two creatures appeared in front of a funky shop window and discussed keeping up with appearances. On one level, it means trying to be trendy, so people will think you're cool and like you. This is a situation of how one presents oneself to others. How does one decide on what to wear, what makeup to apply and what gestures or tones of voice to cultivate in order to be liked? What exactly is being presented? Are you presenting yourself, or a representation of yourself, in which case, what exactly is your "self"? The representation of yourself could be the mask, the outer shell, the clothes the style. Or maybe what you see is what you get. Maybe there is nothing more than appearances.


Every day dream creatures wished to be very special and  highly admired, or at least liked and accepted in order to fit into a social circle or milieu. What is behind the appearances? The notion of appearance suggests some underlying thing which is being presented. What is this thing? If you strip away your clothes, your style, if you even go so far as to strip away opinions, beliefs and habits, what is left? This could be a fun exercise to try when one is not pressed for time. Take a moment to examine what underlies appearances. Have a look at what's going on in your mind.