The Real Masks of Concern

 I've avoided publicly speaking about Covid since the Pandemic began but after an amazing interaction with another masked wearer the other day it got me thinking about the real masks we should be concerned with. Firstly I want to take a moment to talk about the visible masks many of us have been wearing and first want to acknowledge that for some people (especially those who've been through a trauma, are hearing impared or feel claustrophobic ect) mask wearing can be stressful. That aside for most in can be a little bit uncomfortable, especially in warmer weather. For me personally I feel I've got quite used to it, becoming one with the mask and although wouldn't like to do strenuous exercise with one, think my body has adapted quite well. In terms of my human interaction with people, I've never felt like this has hindered me here, as I continue to feel people's energy, hear the tones in their voice and see the emotion in their eyes. Mostly I forget I'm wearing a mask and know that these are not the masks who hide who we are.

The masks to be concerned about are the invisible masks, the masks people use to hide who they are. Sometimes these 'mask wearers' have bad intentions and our pretending to be people they are not for their own personal gain and to manipulate others. For this reason be discerning with the people you meet/know and start to see people through a variety of ways. Feel their energy, notice their voice, their eyes, their words, their actions. Take time to tune in and listen to what your own intuition tells you. Do not ignore your doubts & fears or thoughts that something doesn't seem right. Although sometimes they will be to do with you and things you need to work through, other times they are there to alert you to the truth of something that is not yet seen. By making a habit of checking in with yourself this will eventually become second nature and you will do this instinctively, which will help you navigate life with greater strength and clarity.

Other times people wear these invisible masks because of their own insecurities, fears and habits. Learn to look beyond what people show you. Use that beautiful tool of curiosity to help you see beyond, "Mmmm that's interesting, I wonder what is making them act that way...", "I don't understand what's happening here, I wonder what that's about". Here we can perhaps take a breath and ask, "What's really going on here?", "What is it that you really want" or comment, "That's interesting". Of course these are just some ideas and won't always be suitable but we can tune into our own wisdom and think, "How can I understand this person better", "What can I do to shift the energy here or help someone get closer to their truth?".

Then finally there are the masks that we ourselves wear. The people we pretend to be, the way we hold ourselves back to fit in or please others. So many of us are scared to be who we really are. These are the masks that cause more stress/damage than any cloth or surgical mask ever could. These are the masks that exhaust us, the masks that keep us away from our true selves, the masks that become so well worn we might even forget that they are there. All of us have them to some degree and now is the time to let them go. 2021 is a time to fly, a time to release those burdens that have been weighing us down. Be discerning, set healthy boundaries and then take those steps to reveal more and more of yourself every day. Commit to being authentic, to speaking your truth and bringing kindness and compassion into everything you do. But most of all, love yourself for everything you are & everything you have been through to get where you are right now. Be brave, be kind & trust you are ready to take that mask off and reveal who you truly are.