Mask Off.

Greetings Ladies and Gents,

Happy November! Maybe it's just me, but November has to be the best month out of the year. Now you may feel like I'm just saying that due to the convenient fact that my birthday lands in the center(16th) of it. But who can deny the greatness of the leaves transforming into beautiful shades of yellow, orange and red? Then when you consider it includes Thanksgiving on top of that, I really can't find any cons with this time of year. We could talk about how it's dark in the mornings and dark early at night now, but that's really the only thing to nitpick at. Getting back to the task at hand, I thought I'd stick with the theme of transformation. The leaves aren't the only ones that can benefit from changes and we're going to discuss how making changes in your life can make all the difference too.

So just last week, we witnessed the celebration of the Halloween holiday, which includes the wearing of various costumes. Included in these get ups are a lot of masks people choose to wear in order to take on the identity or personality of another being. Those celebrating on this day take the opportunity to be someone that they are not for the other 364 days of the year. While this is typically all done in fun, there are those that tend to wear a mask on a more daily basis, and that's where issues can begin to rise. The reasons for this constant covering up can vary depending on the individual. But one thing is for sure, and that's with all of this pretending, a person can quickly forget who they really are and what they represent.

A big reason for why some masks are left on all year is because these folks want to feel like they're accepted by their peers or simply by those around them. Not everyone feels comfortable showing their true selves to those in their life, and out of fear of being rejected for who they are they choose to go a whole different route. The problem with that is one will never feel true happiness and inner peace if they're constantly living to please others. At some point, it's going to become too much to keep up with and could lead to even bigger problems in the long run.

A second reason people wear masks is so that a person doesn't have to see their true selves when they look in a mirror. There may be traits that someone possesses and they can't stand the very thought of it. Face, height, hair, weight, voice...these are all things that physically make up an individual, and not being happy with any of these could lead to the use of masks. Improving on yourself physically through working out and getting stronger is one thing, but not accepting the way you have been uniquely made can lead down a dangerous road.

I don't personally feel that I ever wore a mask. There have been times when I'd feel too slim or maybe not as accomplished as I would have liked to be at this point in my life. But never have I felt so down on myself that I wanted to take on a completely different identity and run from who I truly am. I just try to improve on myself as a person daily, and that includes becoming the best Jordan I can possibly be, because loving me is essential. There may be moments when I get a bit frustrated and wish things would all work out the way I see them in my head. That's when I ask for the patience to see things through and enjoy everything I do have going for me in the meantime.

Being accepting of who you are and where you are in life can be a daily challenge, but that shouldn't stop you from doing it. Always want to better yourself and how you treat others while at the same time loving who you are along the way. They don't say life is a journey for no reason. You're going to have your share of hills that need to be climbed. But hey, your legs will thank you for it in the end. Leave the mask at October 31st where it belongs, because you're not going to need it for where you're headed.