Mask Off

The Great Unmasking

Pleasing, performing, perfecting

The code on which I ran,
The mantra which I lived by
The junk on which I sustained myself

It's easy to believe a lie
When it's all you've known
Easy to play the game
When you excel at the sport

But how long
How long will you continue
You've gained so much
But at what cost?

Because after the show
After the final curtain call
And the final bow
After the glare the of the spotlights has dimmed
Are you happy?

Are you really fulfilled
Or are you running on empty
Too busy driving to stop for gas

But how long can you go on?
How long will the cycle continue?
What happens when the approval stops?

So just take a moment and pull over
Stop and check on yourself
Stop and be kind
Stop and spread happiness

Maybe the stage mask feels meshed with your skin
Maybe you're knee deep in the murk of your tainted past
It'll take some courage to move past that
Some courage to take off your mask
To unlearn the lines
To unplay the role

To be unapologetically yourself
And unconditionally love

So take the step and show up today 

And let yourself be seen 

 You might fall into old habits 

 And mess up sometimes 

 But the goal is to be that little be braver 

 That little bit wiser than yesterday 

 And if you do that...

Well... 

That's really all that matters.

So clap for your damn self 

 Peace.