Masks have been around throughout history; they are often used as a type of muse to hide one’s identity. At a masquerade party, the mask is something we can physically see and touch and remove in an instant. A mask gives the perception we are someone other than ourselves.
In our daily lives, we may not wear physical masks but symbolically we wear masks of illusion all the time. They change depending on the situation we are in. The big questions are: Why do we wear them? What do they cover up? Where do they come from?
From conception forward we are imprinted with patterns, controls, thoughts and agendas of parents, siblings, religions, race, teachers etc. We are programmed how to think, act, speak and respond based on our surroundings. Words and feelings of endearment make us feel good and critical comments and abuse evoke fear, shame and a need to go underground. We begin to hide behind masks very early in life to hide our true feelings. It is a place to feel safe.
This programming continues through school, TV, technologies, media, social media, work, relationships, parenting and much more. We become burdened with imprints, masks and facades and have no idea of the genuine essence of who we truly are. We sleep walk through life covered with a veil of illusion.
The following poem (Author unknown) has been around for decades. It has a total of 16 stanzas so I am only including the first and last but they are very significant.
Please Hear What I’m Not Saying
Don’t be fooled by me. Don’t be fooled by the face I wear.
For I wear a mask, I wear thousands of masks,
Masks that I’m afraid to take off,
And none of them are me.
..............................................
Who am I, you may wonder.
I am someone you know very well.
I am every man you meet, and I am every women you meet.
Pay attention to the profound meaning of these words and take action to change this picture. It is TIME for this world and its people to AWAKEN to the reality of who we are truly meant to be. The only person we can change is ourselves and as we do so others around us will learn and benefit. The fear of change and being ‘found out’ is great but the risk of doing nothing is worse.
The first step in creating a new belief system for yourself is ‘awareness’ that the masks you wear are not you. Search out where and how imprints, patterns and controls in your life originated and be willing to release and shed old baggage that is ‘not you.’ The masks created for protection and camouflage will fall away allowing your heart the opportunity to make friends with the genuine you, your soul.