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Time to Remove the Masks?
Halloween marks an interesting time every year when kids of all ages (even us 30/40-somethings) dress up, wear masks and makeup, and conceal their true selves all in the name of fun… and to get boat loads of candy, of course!
I would argue that many of us wear masks every single day… to conceal fears or shortcomings, to reinforce an excuse or to convince those around us, or even ourselves, that we are something or someone we are not.
I write about being authentic a lot… I believe I’m putting my authentic self into everything I write for this blog. One individual I follow on Twitter initiated an interesting dialog with me shortly after I sent out a tweet about being authentic. The entire dialog can be summed up in one tweet…
“REVEALING authenticity is like removing layers from a “mask”. Any attempt to CREATE authenticity just adds another layer.”
~ Carl Ingalls (Follow Carl on Twitter at @Carl_Ingalls)
Carl’s tweet sums up the true means to presenting your real self… the authentic you. Peel off your masks and present the authentic you in all you think and in all you do. Resist hiding behind excuses or perceived barriers…
“One can have no smaller or greater mastery than mastery of oneself.”
~ Leonardo Da Vinci
Have a safe and happy halloween…
I would be honored if you chose to leave a comment.
Regards,
Darren
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by darrensproat: Halloween is coming… but what masks do you wear every other day? Comment at: Time to Remove the Masks? http://bit.ly/1gdihF...
Darren,
I think of those times when I’ve wore that mask, the one that in some way hides the real me. I wonder if I feel vulnerable, letting the “real me” out. The truth is, that when I conceal my true self, though, I also hide what is truly possible, and what makes my heart sing. Taking those masks off can be scary and revealing. Yet, when I have – while maybe not everyone sees it the same way – what I have found is that for me, personally, it leads me so much more down a path that feels right for me. And that’s such a great place to be.
Lance´s last blog ..Sunday Thought For The Day
Lance,
You said that quite well. I too experience when presenting the authentic person I am as liberating… it allows me to focus on and accomplish goals and aspirations faster… not to mention that doing anything less is really only decieving myself and those around me.
Thanks again for contributing, Lance… your continued support is appreciated.
Darren
Darren,
Thank you for your thoughtful words, and for “retweeting” me on your blog.
Carl Ingalls
Carl Ingalls´s last blog ..Carl_Ingalls: @mygoalster Yes. By DM, I mean Direct Message. Some people use a program that sends an automated message to new followers.
Carl,
And thank you for being a valued member of my twitter network. Thanks for stopping by.
Darren
So very true. But so very necessary (to remove those masks) if you are going to have great relationships with the ones around you. Fear keeps many people hidden behind them masks, who wants to be rejected?. But if you can overcome those fears and let your true light shine then you will accomplish great things. Removing the masks of self deception will eventually help you to grow to be a much more confident individual.
Michelle Nason´s last blog ..steelhip design
Michelle,
You said a mouthful in a few sentences there. I completely agree. Deception of others (and, in fact, yourself) by hiding your true self does not make a strong foundation with which to build any relationship.
Thanks for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it.
Regards,
Darren