Masks (Best of 2009)

I started this blog July 1, 2009 and have been amazed how much I love it! It’s a ton of fun, a heap of work, and full of blessings!

I’m trying to spend a little time with my family before school starts back up and life gets completely crazy (plenty of changes to come in the New Year)… I’m going to run one of the highest viewed posts (besides the Blog Carnivals) that I’ve had… I hope you enjoy it!

I plan to do the same thing tomorrow for Fun Friday…

Thanks for all of your support and encouragement… I appreciate you all!

Masks

My son just got a Transformers mask that he plans to wear on Halloween. When he first tried it on, I was amazed at how much it covered up. I couldn’t tell if he was smiling, angry, or sticking his tongue out at me. (Not that he’d EVER do such a thing!)

This week I was talking to some friends about this same subject. We discussed how hard it can be to write about certain topics, and that often we find ourselves holding back from things we’d like to share, or feelings we wish we could communicate.

Instead of being completely open, we hide behind the safety and security of our masks. The reasons for being vague can vary, but the end result is the same.

It’s possible we’re playing it safe to protect someone. In my case, that ‘someone’ would be my family. I don’t want to say too much, causing my loved ones to feel like I’m giving more information than they’re comfortable with. I need to be cautious not to divulge anything that could label them, or expose things that are better left unsaid for the time being.

I find it very interesting that with all the online interaction we have today, we can become anyone we choose to be. What our status is on FB, or what we say in 140 characters or less, is completely up to us. We can be totally outrageous, deeply serious, or devoutly religious.

Occasionally I’ll read a post that makes me stop and wonder if the person that wrote it would talk/act that way in ‘real life’. Would they use ‘those’ words and tell ‘those’ jokes around their family and friends? Does the person who says they’ll pray for you really follow through with the hundreds to thousands of people they promise each day?

In this way I believe our computers are like a mask. We ‘put them on’… then say whatever we feel like saying… all the while hiding safely in the comfort of our homes… or at our workplaces… where no one can see our actual faces, or view our expressions.

We all wear masks, and the time comes when we cannot remove them without removing some of our own skin.~André Berthiaume

While out with friends Friday night, I mentioned that people who follow me online may wonder at times who the real ‘me’ is. If someone were to actually pay attention to the conversations and comments, do they feel like I’m genuine and consistent, or more like I’m schizophrenic (I believe writers have to be to some degree)?!

While the latter may be somewhat true, I hope that my ‘friends’ know I just want to be real. There are various pieces that fit together to create the messed up whole person they’ve come to tolerate know. I hope and pray that by putting it ‘ALL out there’, others will see and relate to the ‘work in progress’ I really am.

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind. ~Dr. Seuss

It is extremely difficult to write, and then to display your words for the whole world to see… especially when you’re revealing personal information and stories that leave you feeling completely vulnerable.

Most of the writers/bloggers (myself included) that I’ve spoken to about this, believe by sharing stories from their own lives, they may inadvertently help someone who has been through, or is dealing with a similar situation. A person may ‘stumble’ across something you’ve written, that helps them realize they’re not alone and there is hope!

A new and dear friend, Sarah Salter, recently posted this line in one of her awesome blog posts:

“I continued writing for my audience of one. I just put my little “Dear God” letters out there where anybody could read them.”

I love how eloquently Sarah explained why she shares her experiences and stories.

I honestly believe that if we’re writing from our hearts, setting the masks aside, our words will be real and genuine. In a perfect scenario (God willing), those raw emotions and heart-wrenching memories we ever so hesitantly push the ‘publish’ key on, will reach the person who needs to read them the most.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Whether we have a huge following… or only a few… if we make a difference in just ONE life… isn’t that precisely why we put ourselves out there to begin with?

Are you hiding behind a mask… or is what you’re portraying to the world the real you?

Tagged as: Best of 2009, Hiding, Masks, One Word at a Time, Real, Writing