In the foothills of Salt Lake City located near the State Capitol building is a place of mystery and enchantment known as Gravity Hill.  The physical characteristics of the surrounding terrain is such that it creates a natural phenomenon, which as been a delight to many over the years.  At a specific location a driver can stop their vehicle and take it out of gear.  Upon the releasing of the brakes the vehicle is slowly and magically pulled up the hill. I was introduced to this wonder of nature in my adolescence, and over many visits was fascinated by the hill’s marvelous gravity defying capabilities, and I was positive that nature had provided my hometown with its own special tourist’s attraction. My amazement in the “realness” of the hill’s pull, however, turned to embarrassment after it was pointed out to me how the contours of the terrain and shadows had actually created the illusionary effect that had been so mystifying in my youth.

As an adult, I am often intrigued at the lengths we will go to in creating and maintaining our visual appearances.  Much like the false fronts of a movie-set these facades which display our desired illusionary posture, often collapse like a sink hole, when trouble comes, because there is nothing of substance underneath.

I have observed the dangerously destitute, who refuse to shop at K-mart for fear of appearing poor, continually trading the insecurity of the moment for the purchasing power of tomorrow. The world’s obsession with “keeping up with the Joneses” often leaves many unbalanced or over-drawn. I have witnessed individuals desperately desiring acceptance, who spend exorbitant amounts of time and money in “looking good” and making public appearances, yet remain captive to their shyness and insecurities, never allowing anyone the privilege of meeting their inner soul. Sadly I have shared in the grief of victims injured through the unbridled passions of others, trying to reconstruct their lives without a sense of value, while pretending not to have their feelings of loss, hate and anger.

The dangers of maintaining such facades were observed by Nathaniel Hawthorne who said: “No man can for any considerable time wear one face to himself and another to the multitude without finally getting bewildered as to which is the true one.”

I found each of these individuals were earnestly seeking an inner peace while confronting the confusion and uncertainty of a self-worth that was based on an unhealthily view of self and understanding of value.  While we generally establish value of a house, real estate, car or some other investment though a comparative analysis, where the value is determined by direct comparison with something else, isn’t it interesting that something like gold has been determined to have value just because it exists.  The only consideration relative to the current value of gold is based upon its purity (how true it is).

As a young man getting ready to leave home I received some of the best counsel that could ever given: “Be true to yourself and your honest convictions.”  This charge demands a constant and accurate assessment of our performance and a clear understanding of ones worth.  May we so live that it can be said of us, in the construction of our character and our palaces, that the outside is an accurate reflection of that which is inside. Or, maybe something like this, “What you see is what you get.”   Most of all, may we know that we are as precious as gold and have value just because we exist.