I’m participating in Shakti Mama’s self-portrait series and our first assignment was to explore the mask.
This could go a million ways. I’ll highlight some thoughts I’ve had through the process of choosing the mask, taking the picture, uploading and posting it.
*I feel comfortable behind a mask. Life feels exciting and adventurous. I feel stripped of society’s expectations and a certain freedom comes from that: I can say what I really feel. I can do what I really feel called to do. Maybe the real mask I’m wearing is invisible–in my every day life.
*This blog can act as a mask. I choose the lens, the feel and what I want to present. I share certain aspect of my family and myself. I want to live authentically and this blog is a tool that constantly explores where what authenticity means and feels like to me–how it plays out in my experience.
*Solshine does not like me wearing this mask or any mask. It frightens him because he feels like I am no longer his mother. It’s taught me about how he sees the world and the kind of possibilities he accepts as reality and glimpses into the things he fears. Koala loves it in a thrilling, dangerous way. He looks at me mischievously begging to know if it’s me or what new world we’ve entered. He giggles and I see his whole body relax as I pull it off and say, “It’s just me.” He begs me to put it back on.
The mask feels like a lesson in self in relation to the outside world. It acts as a go between. I am I. I am also who I am perceived to be. Somewhere in the middle there are a million shades of gray.
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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I love how whimsical and light-hearted you look! You’re a Gemini, right? Makes sense … we really do like the real masks :). You remind me of a lovely lady at one of those mask balls back in the day … mysterious and flirtatious.
So interesting about your sons … I wonder what their reactions say about them as individuals …
Juliana´s last blog ..elements of self- the first in self-portrait series
good thoughts there. great photo, you look gorgeous under that gorgeous mask!
Yes, a gemini. Love playing with masks and the opportunity to shift identity ;)
Thanks for hosting Juliana. Such a great exercise.
I love the mask…I think you are beautiful with your mask on as I am sure you are without it.
It’s funny how kids react differently…speaks to their individual personalities.
glad you decided to take part.
Marisa
Marisa @ Getting Back To Basics´s last blog ..ELEMENTS OF SELFUNVEILING THE ME IN ME
Make an excercise – have Solshine see if he can recognize you just looking into your eyes (the window to the soul). Maybe he might just be able to thinking about letting go of all the ‘outside’ things that are a specific person to him (more particularly his mom).
That’s a great idea–sort of work him through the discomfort and fear. Thanks–and kudos on coming out of lurkdom ;)
What I find interesting is that you pointed out how this blog can be a mask. I guess that’s true for mine, in the since that I control what I portray of myself.
Love the photo….and the mask!
Leslie´s last blog ..Elements of Self – The Mask
i love this photo and how amazing your eyes look! ;)
You are truly beautiful and inspiringly (should be a word!) HONEST!
I love this whole post and you look AMAZING in it!!
With love from one Gemini to another. ;)
Kate´s last blog ..My Everyday Magic 07-23-2010
Thank you from another woman who likes to make up words that feel like words to me ;)
I love what you say about the blog being a mask. Even sometimes unintentionally, as people can see someone we’re not.
I don’t think I mask much with my blog, but I know I can mask fear or depression, especially “IRL”. Maybe my blog is more of my unmasking. The place I’ve created where I can feel open/authentic. I know that it has certainly affected my need to mask in other areas of my life.
~Tara´s last blog ..Whole Life Unschooling- It’s For More Than Just Kids
Isn’t it so interesting how we all experience masks differently. I think I intend my blog to be the unmasking and in many lights it is, but I do notice that I double think how something might come across. But maybe that’s not hiding as much a spiritual practice of mine. I attempt to consciously weave the different worlds I know/experience together by moving beyond the limitations of labels and differentiations. This is a place where I can move that belief into practice.
Also, when I first started blogging and living in the world of social media it was very liberating. Then there was a point where my parents found my blog. And my in-laws told their friends about it. Then some of my local friends stumbled across it. At first this seemed scary b/c I felt I could no longer share how I “really” felt, but it turned out to be a journey of aligning my true sense of authenticity. I started asking myself why wouldn’t I want my parents to read or know that I think that etc.
There are still some topics and discussions I stay away from b/c I know my parents/family read along.
adorable! i love the perspectives of our children and how they can bring us back into a very innocent untainted mindset. my son said, “don’t be scary mama” with my mask… he must be more like your solshine. could be a first born son trait. : ) i like your blog and read your “about me” section, and thought – she’s just like me! :) am adding you to my bloglist.
anushka´s last blog ..self portrait
that’s a really beautiful luscious photograph, and such interesting thoughts also.
sarah´s last blog ..
I love all these rich, succinct thoughts, and the shiny, shifting photo!
After seeing a few posts around, yours was the one that set me off into taking my own photo for this challenge.
Thank you!
Blessings,
Stacy
Thank you! I loved your post as well.
This is how I wish I felt behind a mask, but when I wear one I don’t feel like myself at all and it makes me really uncomfortable. My oldest doesn’t like them either, but my youngest thinks they are great. Make up I can do, masks I can’t. Interesting.
And hey, I’ve given you an award. Come and pick it up here: http://www.breastfeedingmomsunite.com/2010/07/purposefully-self-absorbed/
Melodie´s last blog ..Purposefully Self-Absorbed
ooh, I am a gemini too. and, how I love your portrait, and the words that you wrote to go along…
so many things we hide behind-
visiting from shaktimamas link…
vicki´s last blog ..Elements of Self- Mask
what a gorgeous mask!! literally…lol
it’s interesting what you say about how children react to masks….the way they move from fear to playfulness in a relatively short span of time — how they (and possibly we) get comfortable with the idea of concealment….