Welcome! Come on in & we’ll enjoy a lovely time of reflection together over a cuppa & treat.
Today we are exploring the troubling synchronisation of two old foes, that I have seen emerging & converging upon many today.
But before we begin let’s grab our cuppa’s, a tasty treat & get comfy.
I’m having an old favourite with a twist, a French Earl Grey & a gf Sticky Date & Ginger Cookie, delicious! What’s yours?
The troubling Emergence of old Foes
You may remember, if you join me here often, that in my post What is Narcissistic behaviour? I highlighted my grave concerns in seeing the rise of Narcissism in western society.
Narcissism is defined as;
A sense of self entitlement, selfishness, self centredness, egotism, a constant need for admiration of one’s image or physical appearance, egocentric & lacking in empathy.
Explaining that there’s a marked difference between the Mental Health condition of Narcissistic Personality Disorder verses the adoption of Narcissistic behaviour by individuals in our society.
However, I have also witnessed a disturbing trend of another old foe, that has risen to pandemic proportions & has merged with Narcissism.
Body Dysmorphic ideation
In my post The Fountain of Youth I highlighted my deep concerns as a Clinical practitioner with the epidemic of Dysmorphia ideation in today’s younger generations.
What is Dysmorphia?
Body Dysmorphic ideation is a distorted perception of the body & is one step away from the following Mental Health Disorder;
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a condition that obsesses upon an area/s of the body with great dissatisfaction or repulsion.
And we’re seeing this played out before us everywhere, there is even ‘Popular TV programs’ regarding the procedures to “correct” these perceived distortions which only fuel the ideation until it grows into a fully matured Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
What happens when two foes become One?
Narcissistic behaviour + Body Dysmorphic ideation = Narcissistic Identity Crisis;
A sense of self entitlement, selfishness, egotism, a constant need for admiration of one’s image or physical appearance, egocentric & lacking in empathy + Body Dysmorphic ideation that obsesses upon an area/s of the body with great dissatisfaction or repulsion.
It becomes a contradiction in terms, creating both a self image & identity crisis with a lack in empathy for others around them.
Maturing into an image & identity confused obsession which often leads to the destruction of the individual’s physical & mental health.
Sadly, this is being watered & nurtured through all forms of social media, media in general, covert political agendas & the Cosmetic Surgery industry.
What to do…
Be very aware, be educated in the subtle deception that is adversely infecting our children, grandchildren & great grandchildren.
We also need to examine ourselves to see if some of these subtle deceptions have crept into our own well being.
How’s your self worth & image going my friend?
And stand firm in the faith, don’t be intimidated by the enemy who is ultimately behind this Narcissistic behaviour & body image confusion.
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”
1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV
Speak life into your children, grandchildren & great grandchildren encouraging them in their uniqueness & individuality, created by their Heavenly Father.
And as the Holy Spirit leads & directs as you see something that needs a gentle & loving correction in either attitude, behaviour or a distortion of self image then also speak life there too!
Until next time,
Jennifer
You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook
Or in Prayer
© 2023 Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjennifer.blog All Rights Reserved. Photo by Elizaveta Rukhtina on Pexels.com
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Tea With Jennifer 
Jennifer, I always enjoy stopping by and having a cup of tea with you. This topic is very important. I’m happy you shared it with us at The Crazy Little Love Birds link party #15.
Thank you Stephanie 😊
Jennifer, thank you for this important piece. As a grandma of 6 teens, your counsel is wise and desperately needed. Please keep writing on these important subjects. The next generation is facing challenges we never dreamed of.
I so appreciate your work, friend.
Awww thank you Linda for your kind words of encouragement 😊 I appreciate your work too.
Yes, sadly we are living in a new age that has literally overnight darkened society for our young ones. But the Lord is still shining light in the darkness & we can shine brightly for Him wherever we are especially in our homes, families & through our blog space 😉
Jennifer, I so appreciate that you defined these for us. It is amazing how much cosmetic surgery is done and at a young age. May we speak words of affirmation to our children and grandchildren so they come to see their uniqueness and worth. And may we be kind to ourselves as we grow older, recognizing our own worth and beauty comes from within us. Thank you for addressing these issues!
You’re most welcome Joanne. What’s happening to children with cosmetic surgical procedures at the moment is deeply disturbing to say the least. We really do need to be very aware of this, it’s impact & influence upon our own families.
Lovely having you join me here today sweet friend 😊
Social media is so bad, too many influencers of bad ideas. A new beauty salon open here recently. Its name means beauty in another language and it heavily promotes that it is a Christ based business. I find it difficult to intertwine the two when the Bible says let beauty come from your inner self, not from outward adornments, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Plus, this salon is teaching little girls all about beauty, skincare, and makeup. It just upsets me. Thanks so much for linking up at the #UnlimitedLinkParty 140. Pinned.
Yes, I understand your feelings Dee as just this week I’m writing a post that addresses this issue.
I so much see this happening! It was nice you included the definitions.
Yes, once we’re aware of this happening in our society’s Jeanne. It is sadly very evident & greatly concerning. Lovely having you join me in a cuppa today. 😊
Thanks for addressing this. I didn’t know about these two together. But I know I have my own struggles with body image and having freedom in Christ has helped me with this struggle that started as a teen.
You’re most welcome Deborah.
It is a difficult struggle, for the world continually would have us believe weren’t not up to it’s distorted standard.
When in actual fact we are one of the most beautiful creations God has ever made, unique & individual made in His image & He loves us just the way we look without any worldly tweaking whatsoever! 🥰
Thank you for addressing these issues of deeper self absorption in our culture. I will need to process and come back to read and ponder. 🌸
You’re welcome Lisa, sadly we’re seeing this confusion being played out more & more in our communities.
What a complicated scenario!!!
That it is, sadly we’re seeing it played out more & more Barb.