Wearing Masks

Early in childhood, I learned to where masks to hide who I my true self. Fear of rejection from my parents, particularly my mother paralyzed me, so I stayed in my room as much as possible, and talked little. When I did speak up, I would never say anything contrary to any authority figure for fear of punishment, denial of love, or rejection. To have my true self rejected, the ultimate punishment, led to wearing masks. At least, if the personality under the mask seemed out of step, I could consider myself redeemed by the knowledge that it wasn