All of this mask-wearing has got me thinking.
My sweet neighbor came over with a set of masks for my family to wear when we venture out. A friend made an Ohio State mask for my “at risk” 80-year-old father to wear when he needs to start going out to the doc or for a few errands. Masks have the potential to help protect us or protect others if we are sick.
Regardless of your feelings of these masks, or your political view of this whole pandemic, we all wear masks.
Perhaps your mask covers your pain.
Maybe your mask covers your insecurities.
Could your mask cover your frustration or feelings of anger?
Does your mask have a permanent smile stamped on the front? Despite how you really feel, you let everyone know that you are smiling, or are pretending to?
Last week, my husband and I ran into the grocery store to pick up a few items. We were wearing face masks, as we were shopping, I smiled at someone that worked at the Kroger. As I walked away I realized she couldn’t see me smile, so I went back and told her I was smiling and thank you. That mask covered my gratitude and the way I communicate without words.
Masks are pretty complex, not just the way they can be made, or the design or the material, rather the ramifications of wearing a mask.
If we want to be the best version of ourselves, we need to take our masks off and work on becoming real and authentic. We need to stop covering up who we really are and show off that smile.
What are you hiding under your mask?