"Although I know it is unfair, I reveal myself one mask at a time" ...Stephen Dunn
It is interesting the things we think about when we are shopping. I sometimes go to Albertson's to purchase chicken....the man serving me at the meat counter is the sweetest and most polite man I've met in
my life. He is tall and his arms are massive (as in strong) but he just
seems so gentle.
As I wait for him to weigh the chicken, I start thinking, I wonder if he is a writer? Does he go home and sign in on his computer to a writing site such as writing.com? Does he have a blog online on blogger.com or word press? Maybe he doesn't go online to write but he has a drawer full of scribbled papers that he hopes to build into a novel one day. I mean- that is a possibility, right?
Sometimes I look at someone and think, "He looks like a writer." What does a writer look like? I mean, seriously? We walk down the street and cross the road because we think someone looks like a thug. As if there is some picture in a dictionary somewhere next to the definition of criminal or thug and that person walking towards us is a perfect match.
As I wait for him to weigh the chicken, I start thinking, I wonder if he is a writer? Does he go home and sign in on his computer to a writing site such as writing.com? Does he have a blog online on blogger.com or word press? Maybe he doesn't go online to write but he has a drawer full of scribbled papers that he hopes to build into a novel one day. I mean- that is a possibility, right?
Sometimes I look at someone and think, "He looks like a writer." What does a writer look like? I mean, seriously? We walk down the street and cross the road because we think someone looks like a thug. As if there is some picture in a dictionary somewhere next to the definition of criminal or thug and that person walking towards us is a perfect match.
We are afraid of a person because of the way they look. In actual fact, most scary people don't actually look scarey. They look like the 'boy/girl next door.' Take the BTK guy-- I
mean, he gives me the heebie jeebies everytime I see a picture of him- he looks
like my dad. Look at what Ted Bundy used to look like, no one would have
guessed he was a serial killer.
We judge so many people by the way they look, or ...nowadays...by the way they don't look. If they have or don't have a certain type of clothing, we put them into a certain box. We judge by what we see on the outside- and in actual fact the only thing that really counts is what is on the inside!!
The outside, more often than not, can simply be a mask.....
We judge so many people by the way they look, or ...nowadays...by the way they don't look. If they have or don't have a certain type of clothing, we put them into a certain box. We judge by what we see on the outside- and in actual fact the only thing that really counts is what is on the inside!!
The outside, more often than not, can simply be a mask.....
You are right. We should not judge people on looks and the first impression. A lot of times people themselves don't know what they are capable of.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. This post fits in so well with what I'm writing, revising a short story. Thanks for the stimulation to continue.
ReplyDelete@ A - yes, it is true- all of us are capable of great things and unfortunately of horrible things- I particularly know this to be true of myself and that is why I lean so heavily on God and His grace and strength.
ReplyDeleteWell said. I am trying so hard to stop looking at the surface and making snap judgments. Taking the time to get to know the heart of someone rather than the masked surface. Thanks for this great reminder!
ReplyDeleteA. that can work for the good or the bad, can't it? That guy behind the deli counter could, in fact, be dreaming of what it might be like to write that novel he's always dreamed of, instead of weighing chicken breasts. Maybe he doesn't know how to get started...And who knows what might have altered the paths of the Ted Bundys of the world had they been able to unmask their dark sides before acting upon them. An interesting thought to consider...
ReplyDelete@ Alexandra - I would be interested to read the short story when you finish it! I've long been fascinated with the subject of masks- I guess it comes from my life long calling and I do deal with so many people who have countless masks which need to be removed prior to getting to the reality of their situation.
ReplyDelete@ Deb- you and me both :) yes, learning slowly but surely not to make quick judgements based on what I can see or can't see
@ Jackie - yes, what a great thought about how someone's path could be altered if they are able to unmask the darkness and seek help for whatever they are trying to hide
Anjuli, Generally the outward appearance and the way one talks gives a fair amount of information about the person. Some people can cleverly mask this!A nice write..
ReplyDelete@ Rahul - you are correct, in most instances you can tell alot about a book by its cover...but there are certain cases where people switch the cover and that is where mistakes can be made. (Anjuli/Connie) :)
ReplyDeleteWe all have masks, and we all hide :) A person is never what he or she looks like :) Identification is tough!
ReplyDeleteGood post :)
@ PhilO- you write amazingly well- thank you for popping by. As for masks- and hiding- although we all do it, it is so much more fulfilling to live life as ourselves- there is a freedom in being who we really are- rather than what we portray ourselves to be.
ReplyDeleteThe outside is always a mask. Wow this post says the most simple thing so beautifully. You're a great writer, whether you look like one or not :)
ReplyDeletethat is true. serial killers & offenders hardly look menacing & hence easily prey.
ReplyDeleteSo right! We should not judge people on the looks and the first impression. But we do it all the time, don't we?
ReplyDeleteHuman nature?
@ Gayatri - love it! :)
ReplyDelete@ Sujatha- I thought I saw you had updated your blog but when I went to check, it was still not updated. Looking forward to reading more from you- my blogger has been acting up and doesn't always show updates now ;(
@ Nisha- yes you are totally correct...pesky human nature!
You're a wonderful writer.
ReplyDeleteCheck out my dessert giveaway
Summer-Raye
This is so true Ms.Anjuli..I have met a lot..and I was indeed one of them but not on a negative side though..I have always pretended to be someone else before..always wearing a fake mask of smiles..they thought I was happy but deep inside I was broken and shattered..but I survived and now I am happy and free..
ReplyDeleteWe should always be careful because oftentimes an outside appearance can be a reverse of of one's inner self..so the best thing to do is to know the person better..passing by ;)
I'll be back..I am now your new follower Ms.Anjuli so keep on posting ;)
ReplyDelete@ Summer- thanks for visiting- checked out your blog and love it!
ReplyDelete@ Sie- you are so correct- it is best to know the person better, either way- good or bad. Thank you for stopping by.