October is coming to a close, and Tuesday, the month’s last day, is Halloween. Kids (and some adults!) dress up in costumes and pretend to be someone or something different. We’ll see an array of costumes–firemen, clowns, policemen, princesses, cats, dragons, etc.–as we answer our door to hand out candy. Our neighborhood children are always full of giggles when we don’t recognize them.
Did you dress up as a child? What was your favorite costume? I liked being a hobo or a scarecrow because I didn’t have to wear a mask. I didn’t like masks: I found them hot, hard to breathe, and they didn’t stay in place. All I had to do for my costumes was put on some make-up, which for me was easier and fun.
The Merriam Webster dictionary defines a mask as a “covering for all or part of the face worn as a disguise or to amuse or terrify other people.” Masks took on new meaning with COVID as we wore (and many still continue to wear) them to protect our health.
When Halloween is over, the costumes and masks get packed away until next season. But how many of us might still be wearing an invisible mask? One that we hope people may or may not see the real us. An invisible mask to cover up, to protect us from being judged from not being perfect; to conceal shame, guilt, fear, insecurity, people pleasing, denial, grief, anxiety, depression, or to avoid our own feelings. Sometimes we think such a mask helps us be in control, that we can change it anytime we want.
How many different masks do we wear? Do you ever feel like you’re wearing a mask or masks to fulfill others’ expectations of you? We have so many different roles that we do each day: mom, wife, friend, daughter, aunt, cousin, teacher, coach, PTA member, employee, employer, business owner, caregiver, doctor, nurse–it can be a long list. Do you have an invisible mask for each role? Are you always smiling or laughing when inside you are crying out for help but feel you have to keep up the good front at all times? Are you afraid to take off a mask and let people see the real you?
We learn to wear masks from an early age. We know what our parents, teachers, friends, church, society expect from us, so we learn how to play the different roles and wear the appropriate mask. It protects us from others and ourselves, but it can also block us from getting to know our real selves. If we’re honest, it suffocates us. We might ask ourselves: if I take off the mask, what will people think of the real me? Will I like me? How will I feel? Would I breathe easier because I don’t have to pretend anymore? Would I finally experience true freedom in becoming the person God intended me to be? How would I grow as a person? How would I change? Would I be accepted?
Fear can keep us from taking off our masks. I know from personal experience that taking off a mask–my mask was people pleasing for many years of my life–can be scary at first. I asked myself all the what if questions. It was hard, but if we don’t take off our masks, the world will never get the opportunity to meet and know the real you or me. We’ll never know all that we are capable of being.
The first step in taking off an invisible mask is acknowledging that you’re wearing one. It’s a brave step, and you’re not alone. It’s done one step at a time like peeling the layers off of an onion. Don’t rush the process. Get to know the real you under each layer you take off. You’ll love the freedom and honesty you’ll experience. God didn’t create us to hide behind a mask. He’s given us gifts and talents to share with each other.
Are you wearing a mask today? Which one are you wearing and why? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Reflection on “Masks”, bittersweet creative cranium currently feels like sometimes masks might be in a way “Manipulative, altering, sights, kindred, souls”
Interesting thought Tanya. Thank you for sharing.
Hmmm very thought provoking, Marie. I don’t think I wear a “ mask” , but I’m going to spend more time thinking about it. I’m hoping that I live up to the person God created me to be, but I’m wondering if there are times that I’m not being truly honest with myself. Are there certain people in my life that I do wear a “ mask”, but I’m so use to it that it seems normal. I’m going to pray for guidance because I don’t like the idea of not being truly myself all the time! Thank you for your blog! 💗
Thank you for reading the blog.
I agree with you sometimes it seems normal and we don’t realize we are wearing a mask.
I love this blog, Marie, and being there Monday night what am awesome night. Before I was bitten shall in, I would wear different masks putting on an act never knowing who I was or where I was headed. The Lord, My God, changed all that now I am His, His creation. I no longer have to put on a mask those days are over. I an a child of God and an initiator of Jesus. Thanks Marie for a lovely night and all those who attended and all we shared. Beautiful night, beautiful people.
Again I love your blood and your writing is wonderful.
Love to all!
❤🙂🙏
Thank you for coming Tuesday night and sharing. It’s amazing how God can and will change us into a new person. We have to be willing to let Him do the changing.
Yes! Masks are especially common for women. We’ve been indoctrinated with so many false perceptions of what or how a girl/woman should be. Being a woman is the highest honor I believe God has given to humanity. I’ve learned and still learning we are uniquely made/created. Let’s release the shackles of insecurities together by our encouragement of one another. One acknowledgment, one stare into each other’s existence. Let’s start with the basics….love. God commands us to love. Let’s try all together to learn what God love is so WE can be the engine of that In another woman’s life.
Yes, love is the first step.
Thank you for the discussion on masks that I’ve missed out on last night at the meeting. It’s hard to admit that we wear a mask or multiple masks. I’ve finally learned that I can be just myself, and stop pretending to be someone else. It is tiring when you do. I don’t like masks in any form, never dressed up for Halloween either. I want to be just myself.
Thank you for coming Tuesday.
Yes, being ourselves is so freeing. It takes so much stress off of us.
Thank you for the discussion on masks that I’ve missed out on last night at the meeting. It’s hard to admit that we wear a mask or multiple masks. I’ve finally learned that I can be just myself, and stop pretending to be someone else. It is tiring when you do. I don’t like masks in any form, never dressed up for Halloween either. I want to be just myself.
I agree, it’s tiring. God didn’t create us to wear mask.
I’m so happy you came last night. It’s always good to see you.
Thank you for your thoughts. It has given me something to think and pray about.
You’re welcome.