Masks of Life - pipTalk Forums

How to Join	Member's Area	Private Library	Search	Sanctuary		Login
Main Forums	Discussion	Tech Talk	Mature Content	Archives	A home without a wall, Our haven without ends, A circle we all call Our Family of Friends!

Maverick Wolf
Member

since 1999-11-13

Posts 94
Scandia, MN

0 posted 1999-11-22 10:58 PM

What do you see when you look in the mirror? You see your true self, imperfections and all, don’t you? When someone else looks at you, what do they see? Do they see the same thing, or do they see your mask? The mask of which I speak is not the make-up you may put on; it’s the barrier you put up between yourself and the rest of the world. This is not a physical barrier, like a wall. It is more of a mental barrier, like an illusion.

We put on a mask every day that we interact with people. For some, it is that of class clown. For others, it is Mr. or Ms. Popular. For others it is the school jock. No matter who we are, we all put on a mask of some sort. We are scared to let someone else possibly see into our souls. The prospect of someone actually knowing what we are thinking scares us. Why is that? It is because it is easier to keep the emotions to ourselves, than have to talk about them to someone else.

So, don’t hide behind a mask. Be who you are. Be proud of who you are and who you want to be. It is easy to hind behind a mask, but does it make sense to have people think that you are someone who you are not? Why deceive others? Do not be afraid to take off your mask. It takes more courage to be yourself, than to be someone that you are not.

Dusk Treader

Moderator

Senior Member

since 1999-06-18

Posts 1187
St. Paul, MN

1 posted 1999-11-22 11:27 PM

I hear you on the concepts of masks, I know I have some, and they change and leave me wondering who I really am sometimes. One to keep the world at bay with it's uncaring and distant attitude, and another excitable and happy to keep those who care from digging to the core of the problem... I've learned to live without them, and did quite well without them, but I wonder if it was more through ignorance to my situation or what not. The masks seem to be coming more depended on though. And interesting read, Thanks for a thought MW.

------------------
"'Cause there's a hunger, a longing to escape, from the life I live when I'm awake" - Creed - "Higher"

[This message has been edited by Dusk Treader (edited 11-23-1999).]

Christopher

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-02

Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration

2 posted 1999-11-23 12:18 PM

You have nailed this one on the head MW!
I have spent countless hours on the very same thoughts. As a matter of fact, here is a poem I wrote quite a while back that was in Open #1:

A Name

The confusion that is life is engendered in the soul every man.
But the question remains on the tips of our hearts.
Are we made by the names we are given?
Or are we made simply by who we are?
So tell me your name.
For I know the who that is you.
Do you know me with the face I wear?
No.
It is a mask that hides the eyes,
Of my true intentions.

Maverick Wolf
Member

since 1999-11-13

Posts 94
Scandia, MN

3 posted 1999-11-23 09:46 PM

Thank you for your comments. Christopher, very nice poem. I believe it to be true. Wonderful work, thanks for your comments.

Alwye

Moderator

Member Elite

since 1999-06-16

Posts 3850
In the space between moments

4 posted 1999-11-24 09:00 PM

Definitely good work, MW! I understand completely what you mean by masks....I have a few myself. Sometimes I am the strong one, the invincible one, sometimes I'm the reliable, level headed, calm one...they all hide who we truly are. All too often we crumble behind those masks, while people simply see the mask and not the dying soul behind it. Great work.

------------------
*Krista Knutson*

"If my heart had wings, I would fly to you and lie beside you as you dream....." ~Faith Hill: If My Heart Had Wings~

merlynh
Member

since 1999-09-26

Posts 411
deer park, wa

5 posted 1999-11-25 01:36 AM

But what about us who had parents that super glued ours on? You wouldn't believe the many years it took me to get mine off.

Maverick Wolf
Member

since 1999-11-13

Posts 94
Scandia, MN

6 posted 1999-11-27 11:15 PM

Once again, thank you for your comments. Though the masks stem from many different sources, the key is to break free of the mask and let people see who we are. Even if it means ripping off the superglue. It may be painful, but necessary.

Jaguar
Member

since 1999-11-27

Posts 51
Quezon City, Philippines

7 posted 1999-11-27 11:17 PM

In this world, life is full of pretentions, no one is really true to what they really feel and think. I often want to be alone, I do this on my own free will. Because if I don't, people will just wonder of what really goes inside my mind.

	⇧ top of page ⇧
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.