MUSE-Day.....The Power of the MASK

Man is least himself when he talks in his own person;
Give him a mask and he will tell you the truth.

Oscar Wilde

Remember when you were a kid and you couldn't wait for Halloween?

Sure, the candy haul was a lot to look forward to, but truthfully, wasn't it the idea of the costume, the mask, of becoming someone else for a few hours, of playing a role, acting out and not being responsible for it because it was someone else?

Certain of my children still does this, at the age of 25 with a real job, and adult responsibilities, and doesn't always wait for Halloween. He revels in the opportunity to allow that other side of his personality, that other persona, loose on an unsuspecting world.

I have often wondered if this is how he stays balanced and in control...
the behaviors of this "dark side" are not considered socially acceptable without the costume and the make-up.

The truth....I myself still delight in opportunities to become someone else for a while, whether through costume and make-up, or a mask. There are parts of my own personality that can only see the light of day when guarded by a mask, whether real or perceived.
Maybe we want to "try on" a different personality; maybe we're just trying to "fake it till we make it", attempting to learn new behavior.

Much of the time, though, our masks are simply a front that we put on for others, either to impress them or to hide what we consider our imperfections or shortcomings, those parts of ourselves that we feel we need to hide from others.

What masks do YOU wear?
Are you wearing them for fun, to attempt a change, or out of fear?
Please share with us! We really want to hear what you think and feel!