Take Off the Mask

Do you know anyone who seems to be two people? These people act one way here and another way there. If you see them in one place they are sweet and carry themselves with humility. The next time you see them they look and act totally different. You almost believe that they are bipolar or schizophrenic. A lot of times, it’s neither. The issue is within them. They are afraid to be who they truly are. Socrates is attributed with the saying, “Know thyself.” Unfortunately, many of us are afraid of who we are. We have become brainwashed by the media that who we are is not good enough. We have taken to trying to fix our outside instead of the real problem: our inside.

Many of us would prefer that no one ever know the real us because that person may seem weak and will never be popular. We would rather dress, speak and act like the crowd instead of having the courage to stand out.  Courage is what it takes when you are not like the crowd. People will talk about you and sometimes try to make you feel like you are not good enough. But most of the time, that person is putting their insecurities on you. They may wish that they had the guts to be like you.

Although it can be difficult, the reward is unbelievable. God created each of us as a unique being. There is no reason for all of us to look, act, be or even think the same. What a boring world that would be! I have never been one to fit in and it has never been an easy walk. However, I would not change who I have become because of my journey.  In so many ways, I feel that it is just beginning. But my heart hurts for those who don’t have the courage to release themselves from the grip of society.

We know that many children are bullied everyday due to what some other child has deemed as a weak or unacceptable trait in them. I have found that bullies are the worse sufferers of low self esteem. When they pick on others it is only to make themselves look good. They are doing it to be accepted.  Many times they are hurting as well.

It is time to take the mask off and be okay with who you are. You cannot continue to live according to what others think. As long as you try, there will be pain in your lives. Joy will be difficult to find and one day the realization will hit that it will never be found.  When the mask is removed breathing is restored and a feeling of freedom will wash over you. Once you taste that freedom, you will never want to put that mask on again.  John 8:32 says, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Be true to who you really are and freedom is not far behind. Until next time, I leave you with a quote from Lao Tzu, “Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.”
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Psalms 25:11

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