We all wear masks from time to time. In our gestures, in our habits, and in our routines, we wear masks. We hide our feelings, our desires. We hide from what motivates us. We hide from who we might become.
We drink tea as a mask for how tired we are.
Lack of motivation is masked behind excuses.
Presence of excuse masks our laziness.
Tired of caring for a infant? Downhearted about the nagging at home? Downcast by zero appreciation? Miserable about your boss’s scathing remarks about you?
The anger we carry is masking frustrations of feeling unimportant.
The alcohol that you drink at night masks the fear and the stress feel from not having control over life. It also masks loneliness. Maybe, it helps you get through another night as some memories haunt you. Maybe, you are masking your vulnerability in that glass of alcohol.
We mask our sadness with false smiles and booming laughters. We exaggerate to mask our fears, and to be desirable. We wear high heels and sensual clothes to drive a point masking the need for attention. We drive certain cars and visit certain social gatherings to show a sense of self, make a projection, and express an idea. We use extroversion to collect affection. We ensure we are ‘busy’ to mask our fear of not leaving an impact.
We cover up a lot of things. The scars we carry, the stories we hold in our bosom, the work we’re afraid of doing, are so often masked.
Incidentally it’s not awful to have masks. I too have carried masks at times. However, with pain and frustration I have realized, they can’t be our only way of dealing with the world. The entire time we spend pretending, we feel shallow about ourselves. By hiding from the world, we lose peace and a piece of our souls.
Many of us have lost touch with ourselves, with the tender, beautiful, sacred part of who we are.
Here is the solution….
Releasing a mask requires facing a real, honest, scary, less-than-desirable feeling. Letting go of your mask means you might need to accept…
I’m tired of this.
Or, no, I don’t want to do this any more.
Or, I’m scared. I’m scared of messing up. I’m scared of doing a bad job. I’m scared I won’t be liked. I’m scared that if I try, I will end up failing. I am scared I will lose my friends. I am scared I will lose respect. I am scared I will be left out. I am scared I will look unfashionable.
Putting the mask away requires Guts, Honesty, Softness and Tenderness.
These wretched feelings inside? They aren’t enemies. They are clues.
Feelings are like Google maps when we are lost in our travels. They are like the direction markers that guide us back into the brilliance of ourselves, provided we allow it.
The only catch is that it will be agonizing and unpleasant. Feelings that are lurking for years might surface to remind us of the internal work we still have to do.
Our masks were protection, once.
There is no need to carry shame about it. Be gentle about it. Our masks served us at some point. It saved us at some point. It protected us in our weak moments. It is not necessary to disarm them quickly.
When we were abused, we hardened and deadened our senses and built masks in order to survive those times. These mechanisms and masks were useful for they helped us to survive.
They got us here. They protected us. The point is- Do we need them today?
Do you know what masks are you wearing nowadays?
Do you know what masks you carry?
Do you know behind those masks, what do you hide?
Can you lower the masks for some time? Or, with some people?
You deserve freedom. There is nothing more precious than freedom. You are YOU when you are free. Be free!!!
Start small. Make progress. Develop courage. Take another step. Lower the mask. See, how free you feel. I know you are also a little scared. It’s ok to be scared here. Keep the mask low. Now, throw away any one mask. Feel the lightness. Feel unburdened. Feel overwhelmed by your freedom.
Only through freedom you live your life. Otherwise, you are a caricature of expectations. You will feel like an ox yanked to a cart. We all deserve a better life.
The wounds you have, will heal. Only the scars will remain. They will be your treasures. Enjoy the process of creating your treasures. Abundance awaits you with open arms. Be strong. Be tender. You will look better without the mask.
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