Photography by Marcus T Thomas

What lies behind the mask? Where does one run when there is no where else to run to? Who do we face at the end of our days, months, years, the end of our lives? What do you see when there is no makeup to cover the flaws? What do you say when you can see your fears? Is it braver to put a game face on when you really just want to cry, or is it braver to just cry? What is the truth behind all my lies? My imperfection unmasked sings a song that sounds like violins stirring at my soul. It rustles up the leaves that have been scattered on my lawn. Behind my often smiling and perfect face lives a woman who has had her share of heartbreak, who has told herself many lies, who is scared and tired of trying to be something that the world says she should be. She wants to scream when she’s angry. Cry when she’s sad. She want’s you to know she has been hurt real bad. Mostly by her own choices and lies she has told herself, bringing in people and circumstances that keep telling her she is right. That she is not worthy of love and never possibly could be. Sounds like a victim to me.

Let’s turn that around and look at the facts. Imperfection would never exist without the word perfection. Perfection allows imperfection to exist. Without one’s frown we would not be able to turn it upside and know what it is to smile. The lies always lead to the truth. The tears wash away the muck only to reveal the most beautiful sky you could ever imagine. The hurt brings you gratitude when you experience joy. The Yin and the Yang, complete the full cycle. My shadow side could not exist without it’s sun. One of my favorite Khalil Gibran quotes goes like this, “We are all like the Bright Moon, We still have our Darker side”.

This photo of me is ME. There is no makeup on that face, there is no smile hiding any pain. Yet when I look at this picture it fills me with an unexplainable joy. I am STRONG. I am afraid of all kinds of things. I’m afraid of rejection, failure, and not being good enough. I have made mistakes that have brought me to my knees, that have shaken me to my core and stretched me to my limits. I have listened to my thoughts tell me I’m not enough, I have no talent, I’m lying to everyone about everything. Yet I must and we must say to that voice, “You are wrong”. I am valuable. I am beautiful. I am strong. I am wise. I am truth. I AM that I AM. No Mask necessary. This woman you see before you, that person you see when you look in the mirror IS ENOUGH period. YOU ARE ALL THAT IS. Say it to yourself every single breathing second if you must. Because it is the only truth there is. YOU ARE EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING IS YOU. Nothing more is required of you. Nothing else is asked of you. You are and always have been DIVINE!

The more we know this about ourselves, the more we can help others know it of themselves. The more we spread this belief to our children, the better they will be. As time goes on and we know our POWER and PERFECT IMPERFECTIONS the better this planet will be, the more amazing this universe will be. Let’s not be afraid to be flawed. Where one lacks, someone else has that strength. If we can see our lives connected. We won’t be able to fit the puzzle pieces together. WE must know creation makes absolutely no mistakes and that without you and me; creation does not exist. No one can fill your piece of the puzzle. YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE, WHO CAN FILL YOUR SPOT. Perfection is a Perception. Together the truth is we actually are PERFECTLY IMPERFECT.

Let’s love the moments of pain and beauty equally. Let’s forgive ourselves and move on. Let’s ask for help when we need it. Let’s give of ourselves when someone else needs. Let’s share our “secrets”. Let us remember we are not alone. Let us not be afraid to walk out into the world without our game face on!

Photography by Marcus T Thomas