The Mask
As we were driving back from Bean Station earlier, I saw a picture of a mask in my mind.
Immediately my mind reverted to the movie from years gone by, "The Mask", with Jim Carrey.
As hilarious as it was, and I've watched it several times with humor, the message that seemed to be pronouncing itself to me in my thoughts was not one of comedy. Rather, it was one of sobriety, one of contemplation.
What is a mask? That's a simple question. Perhaps when you think of an answer, it would revolve around Halloween, or Mardi Gras or a masquerade party.
A mask covers the face to conceal one's identity, a disguise or pretense.
As I mulled over these thoughts, I asked God what was He trying to bring into focus?
Perhaps there is a story somewhere in my subconscious that relates to the message being conveyed through my thoughts into words.
Or maybe there is someone somewhere who reads my writings who can relate to the relativity of the subject matter.
Be that as it may, the thought of a mask will develop as I sit and allow my thoughts to gather.
I never was into Halloween as a kid. The masks scared me, and I would hide behind the door when trick or treaters would come to get their treats.
Of course, as I grew older I realized the significance of the masks.
Then, as I became an adult I realized that most everyone wore masks...not just at Halloween.
For whatever reasons, each of us has a mask or masks.
Whether we are Saint or sinner, masks are an integral part of life.
When we can't accept ourselves for who we really are, we slap on a mask. We wear it on our jobs, on dates, to school, to church. Whatever venue we find ourselves in, for the sake of fitting in, we put on a mask.
Some say not to wear a mask makes you vulnerable to exposure.
To which I ask, "What's wrong with being vulnerable, or real?"
Then I quickly answer my own question, "Fear of rejection, or ridicule, or bullying."
Sadly, the mask doesn't solve the problem. Many times it creates problems.
When we wear a mask, we aren't being our true selves.
We teach our kids not to lie, then they see us do the very thing we teach them not to do. That can create problems very early on.
We put on a mask and try to pretend to be something we aren't, or someone we aren't. After a while, with the mask, we actually lose our true identity of who we really are.
This process is handed down from generation to generation, unless one will dare to be real and break the cycle.
I seldom see a pretty mask. Most of them are trying to be impressive, or superior, or even humorous.
But go home with someone you vaguely know, and see them without the mask. Quite a different person, I would presume.
The mask is a pretense.
At this age in my life, I'm not into masks anymore.
I've worn my share, but have found true peace of heart and mind now just being who I am.
And the amazing thing is, when you stop wearing masks, it's not too difficult to discern others who are mask wearers.
There's obvious indicators between the real and the fake.
Be real...it's a lot more rewarding, personally!
D. S. Mullis
copyright2017
As I read, I thought about the many "hats" we wear in the roles we play in life. I have played the student, factory worker, engineer, instructor, professor, and administrator roles in some ways well and in other ways badly. Finally settling on writer/author at this stage of my life. Many writers put on a mask when they write with a nom de plume or pseudonym. I don't even do that. I find that having an open book far better than hiding behind anything, especially a mask.
Ron