masks | Tuesdays with Laurie

As we approach Halloween I think of the fun costumes we’ve worn in the past. My all-time favorite was Len being a cereal killer.

A close second was the year that Len painted himself black, I painted myself blue, we linked arms and went together as a bruise.

Masks are ideal costume accessories for Halloween, but many of us wear them throughout the year—pretending to be something other than who we are. If we don a mask to accommodate someone else’s idea of who we ought to be, it’s time to stop the masquerade; to remove it.

Don’t be held hostage by the opinion of others.

What was the last mask you wore?

P.S. Be sure to finish your to-boo list early so you can let your hair down, raise your hackles, and have a howling good time on Halloween. Bwahaha…

Laurie's World Famous Mouse Face

One of my clients recently shared, “I don’t mind wearing a dozen different hats—chauffer, maid, cook, accountant, etc. In fact, I think it’s kind of fun. What I don’t enjoy is all of the different faces I have to put on.”

“What different faces?” I asked.

“You know… I put on one face for the people at church, another one with my family, and a different one for my friends. Sort of like a chameleon, I change faces depending on who I’m with.”

Flummoxed, I asked “Why?”

“Because they all have different expectations of who I am.”

I responded, “How about just being yourself—the real you—with everyone?”

As you can well imagine, the conversation didn’t end there. We went on to talk about authentic living. When I got home I Googled “putting on a face” and got several returns:

– appear cheerful
– take courage
– grin and bear it
– not show your disappointment

I can remember my mom saying, “Hold your horses, I’m almost finished putting on my face,” when as a family we were waiting on her to go somewhere. She always wanted to look her best when she left the house.

I don’t wear makeup, so the only face I put on is my world famous Mouse Face. I don’t do it very often, but here it is in all its glory.

When was the last time you put on a face—literal or figurative?

Speaking of “putting on a face,” the March edition of Evolving Your Spirit magazine published my article—Beauty is Being You. If you’d like to read it, simply click on this LINK. Once it’s opened, click on the pink magazine cover that says “Beauty” (it may take a minute or so to load). The article is on page 18—enjoy!

Listen with your heart,

Laurie Buchanan

“Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing.”
– Laurie Buchanan

Tuesdays with Laurie

"Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing." —Laurie Buchanan

Tag Archives: masks

I Married a Cereal Killer

Putting on a Face