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I always wonder what people look like without their disguises on. Every day we wake up, put on our costumes, and go out into the world to play the character version of ourselves we have crafted through life experiences. Sure there are a few souls out there that you can take at face value, but they are the exception rather than the norm. The rest of us are portraying some idealized version of what we want others to see. Do you really think the person on the other side of your cubicle is as one dimensional as you assume them to be? There could be a tattooed, pierced freak right next to you and you don’t know it. The silent, head down co-worker could be avoiding eye contact because they are afraid their glance might give away an S&M fetish they are hiding. The woman who never wears a skirt, only pants, could be keeping a prosthetic limb from you. The point is, you never really know others because we don’t let people know us.
Whether you are hiding emotional scars, or physical ones, the majority never break character and strip off their costumes to allow others to see their true selves. I blame a lot of this on the religious control that has been exerted onto the masses for centuries. Everyone has been conditioned to conform, to ensure their place in the afterlife. I’m not condoning anyone for their spiritual beliefs, but I think too often the institutions of religion don’t accept the individual, rather they want conformity, a clone of what they interpret the ideal self to be.
The most common armor I encounter is the façade of indifference or nonchalance. It has been my experience this is usually disguising vulnerability. Nobody wants to seem weak, but I don’t see vulnerability as a weakness. If you can admit to it, you are already stronger than those in denial. The truth is, the real stories are far more interesting than the ones we tell others. I think this also explains why there was such a fascination with reality TV. At first, you got to see moments of real people. Unfortunately, Hollywood bastardized it by giving every train wreck that wanted one their own show and reality stopped being real. Everyone played to the cameras.
The few people I have had the pleasure of seeing without their costumes on are far more beautiful to me than the most glamorous tale Hollywood could visualize. The things we fear most about ourselves are the ones that make us who we really are. Our imperfections and differences tell the stories that make us all unique. If we didn’t have them, we’d all essentially be the same person. The world would be like Stepford Wives and that would truly be boring. Now I’m not saying we all need to walk around naked, although I do admire the female body in its most natural state, but don’t’ be afraid to unrobe (metaphorically) and let others see who you truly are. It is only when we can connect as our true selves that we make valid connections with others.

P.S.: I really have every intention of continue to blog daily. That being said, sometimes the weekend gets away from me. So if I don’t post over the weekend I apologize ahead of time. Everybody enjoy yourselves and keep the feedback coming. I truly appreciate it.