Creating Masks

Even the most unartistic among us
are makers of masks.

"Carnivale" copyright 2005 Meri Arnett-Kremian.

Because we want to hide ourselves from others
or because we don't recognize our own truth,
we create the impression that
we are stronger
or weaker
than we truly are.

We lead people to believe we are brave
when we are quaking in our boots.

We imply that we are helpless
despite our actual competence,
often to make others feel stronger
and more capable.

We disguise our acute intelligence
with shallow thinking,
with reckless behaviors
that belie our thoughtfulness.

We create masks with layers of misleading words,
inauthentic gestures,
veneers of half-truths overlaying our real selves,
worrying that we're not good enough as we are.

While these masks may be colorful,
they hide our light from the rest of the world,
keep all but those closest to us
(and sometimes even our intimates)
from encountering the gift of our deepest selves.

What would happen
if you faced the world
with your own shiny face
and showed
your wild and beautiful heart?

I wonder.