We all have them.  We all use them. Why?

Continuing my thought on the Just Be mind set, why the masks?

We use them to get along with a person or group.  We use them to hide.  We use them to feel better about us.  We use them to protect our fragile selves. We use them to protect others from the vicious side of us. Why?

What slight, hurt or circumstance, real or imagined, prompted or forced us to create them?  What since of security, true or false, allows us to continue using them?  Why hide behind these masks?

The world we are in sets certain standards for us all.  It pushes us into roles, situations and places.  It makes it easy for us to generate these masks.  It makes it easy for us to use them.  It makes it too simple to forget that the masks are there.

What benefit are these masks?  Is it that important that we show everyone else what they expect or want to see?  Is it easier to maintain this collection of mask than to be our true selves?

Easier it is.  Better it is not.

Each time a mask is used, a piece of your true self is lost.  Given to the mask, used to maintain it.  Each time a mask is used, it is easier to use again.  Each time a mask is used, it is harder to drop.  Each time a mask is used, each time we hide our true self, each time we give people exactly what they want to see, we damage ourselves that much more.

Hiding our emotions, refusing to feel, blocking out pieces of our existence drains us.  It leaves us unable to feel, unable to empathize, unable to Just Be.

How many times have you said to yourself, “Being around (insert name here) drains me.”?  How many times have you said, “I don’t like who that person makes me become.”?  How many times have you examined why this happens?

To many times I have seen people weighed down by their masks.  To many times I have seen people bury their emotions and forget about them.  To many times I have seen people become unfeeling, uncaring, unmovable husks.  To many times I have seen great potential smothered by these masks.

I challenge you.  Each and every one of you!  Drop a mask.  Examine yourself.  Figure out why you created this mask and deal with it.  

This is not an easy challenge!!  

You may well find out things about yourself that you despise.  You may find emotional damage you don’t want to deal with.  You may find things you buried and tried to forget about.  You will find that emotions buried and forgotten about will come back in full force and with vengeance.  You WILL find things, situations and emotions that you MUST deal with to be at peace with yourself.  

Things you must deal with to Just Be.

Think about it for a second. Just be.
Just be who you are.
Just be what you are.

I think this is a really profound state of mind to be in. Unfortunately it seems to be one most people can not achieve. I do understand the hold ups on this, the whole ‘what if’ game.
What if they don’t like me?
What if nothing happens?
What if nothing good happens?

To this I say, WHO CARES? Do you really need the people that expect you to be a certain way? Do you want those around that will not allow you to grow? Do you need the ones that will not allow you to be who and what you are? Good and bad things are going to happen no matter who you are, so why not be *you* when you face it? Why not come from a position of strength and security? Why not be comfortable in your own skin and mind?

I guess this is just a long winded way of saying: I know who I am and I like it here. The Devil take those of you that can not deal.

This also applies to relationships for me. Just be. Let what will happen, happen.
No pressure.
No demands.
No expectations.

I have had many different relationships that have gone many different places. The ones that have continued on, or ended well, are the ones that just where. I am a firm believer in allowing things to go where they will with out anyone forcing it. I am the way I am, take it or leave it. Either way matters not to me.

I will put this warning out there. Do NOT try and force me. I am the kind that if you force a choice upon me, I will take an option you hadn’t thought of and leave you there.

**Disclaimer** This is something I have been thinking about for a while. I’m still working on the right way to say most of this…