Aurora 2021 Mag

Dr. Penny Quinn

The Masks We Wear

Lately, masks have been expected to protect our health, but masks have been part of our lives forever. Masks not made of paper or cloth but crafted of stronger stuff. Masks not easily removed, and often painful to put on. These masks are worn to fit in, to be accepted, to be loved, and sometimes we impose them on ourselves because we think we have to in order to reach our goals and dreams. Masks that are a reflection of the expectations of others. Masks formed to hide our true selves. Masks to display who we think we’re supposed to be, and how we are supposed to appear to the world. Sometimes our masks can be on so long, or so often, that we can forget what it feels like to be free of them. To be who we are, but even more, to embrace who we are. To be true to ourselves and others without wearing masks. To be at peace and find true happiness in our lives every day. To BE.

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