At a very young age we all discover the pleasure of wearing a costume, of slipping into the identity of our favorite superhero or fairy tale creature. But what if we wore a mask every day? What if the mask ended-up merging with our own flesh and we forgot what hides underneath? I believe this is exactly what happens to most of us, a reality far scarier than a Halloween movie.
We wear masks because the world around us demands consistency. Whatever face we’ve shown until yesterday is the face we are expected to show today, tomorrow, and the day after… Even though we may feel completely different today than any other day before. Even though the world around us changes at an amazing pace. Even though human cells keep regenerating at such speed that our body is partly renewed each day. Society clings to the myth of consistency for it yields predictability, the keystone of structures such as government, religion, or the corporate world. So common sense tells us that consistency is a law of nature. But if we look close enough Mother Nature provides ample evidence of the opposite: what are the odds of finding two identical tree leaves, or two identical snowflakes? Even twins who share the same genes are not identical: their individual life experiences shapes them physically and emotionally in different ways.
If like me you are tired of the mask… just remove it and be yourself! Your new lack of consistency will cause significant changes in your life: many people are not ready to accept a new you, different from what they’ve come to expect. However, in my experience, getting such people out of your life is a true blessing and an opportunity to make room for new relationships. Only true friends will remain at your side after you drop the mask, while everyone else will call you crazy.
What if you are not ready to remove the mask just yet? Start by being aware of its existence. Notice when it says or does things that you wouldn’t. Imagine how you would behave differently if you listened to your heart. This will start un-merging the mask and letting your own skin breathe again. You will soon be able to take that fake face off, at least once in a while. As Paolo Coelho once said: “Stay mad, but behave like normal people. Run the risk of being different, but learn to do so without attracting attention.”
Happy Halloween!
Cedric, 10/31/2011
hallelujah!