We used to talk
Now we Snap
Hiding behind our smart phones
Acting like we give a crap
Wearing a mask pretending everything’s OK
While our emotions and feelings stay buried for another day
We stopped being alive when we decided to give up on our dreams
Now that just makes our hearts want to scream
Watch out for the media, they love to spread fear and violence
Agenda driven, meant to keep our souls in silence
Don’t want us to be too smart or bold
Everything will be alright if you just do what you’re told
But I say, what about the truth?
Go ahead, try and fit in, put your dreams on hold
Chase the money until you get old
Ahh, you can run away all you want to, it’s OK to roam
But eventually…your heart will call you home…
The Mask.
I spent too much of my life wearing one.
I couldn’t breathe.
I felt like I didn’t belong or fit in.
I wasn’t being the REAL me.
I shut down my heart and locked it up in the basement of my Soul with duct tape over its mouth for decades.
I was hiding, afraid, scared to listen to or act on my TRUTH, instead I got sucked into the programming of our unawakened society and the Matrix.
And I did it well.
I became a millionaire by 28.
I was depressed, angry, and felt like I wanted to die by 30.
I followed the path laid out for me.
The good ol’ American Dream.
I was a successful market maker in the trading pits of Chicago, yeah I “made it,” but something was wrong, deep inside, I knew I was in trouble.
I was taught to be “successful” in the world’s eyes at all costs and it was kicking my spiritual ass, and my soul was suffocating.
I chased the money and recognition, I thought I was a badass and “all that,” without giving any regard to what my private sacred moments within my own heart and my own Being had always tried to show me…
That I was born with an artist’s Soul and I’d been living someone Else’s version of success.
I came to this planet with the gifts of music, self expression, writing, creativity, and being a wild and crazy artist, entertainer type, but I ignored it and paid a big price.
… luckily, even with the pain of regret, and a big truckload of wisdom, it’s NEVER too late to decide to BE who you REALLY are and dive straight into the deep end, like any great artist and entrepreneur would.
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I lost decades of the life I was meant to live, but luckily, even with the pain of regret, and a big truckload of wisdom, it’s NEVER too late to decide to BE who you REALLY are and dive straight into the deep end, like any great artist and entrepreneur would.
When my dad died, and then 8 months later when I watched my mom take her last breath right in front of me, I was done.
I saw how short life is, and how good people like them, can live their entire lives and never give themselves permission to live the life that they really wanted to.
My mom was an amazing opera singer who never shared her gift.
My dad had many dreams that went to the grave with him.
I was always searching, I was always dreaming, and I KNEW what was in my heart, but I was still wearing the mask that society manufactured for me, I continued to play the pretender, until I was finally willing to call bullsh*t on myself, which really comes from a place of deep self love.
Once I gave myself permission and owned what was calling me deep inside, I decided that what I love is a MUST.
That was it.
NO turning back.
Now my heart, my soul, and my truth are my spiritual compass that leads me home every day.
So why do we wear these masks that bury our truth?
We’re afraid to EXPOSE ourselves.
We’re afraid to be SEEN.
We’re afraid to let people know we have flaws and struggles, because we’re supposed to be Instagram perfect with happy smiley faces 24/7.
We’re programmed and in a hypnotic trance from our agenda and consumer driven society that could give a sh*t about what truly makes us happy.
It only wants what it wants…
Numbed out and obedient consumers … people who don’t think too much, say too much, or stir up any trouble.
It’s time to take OFF the mask.
Take a RISK.
Show us the REAL you.
The NAKED you.
The UNMASKED You.
Show us the part of you that doesn’t feel good enough or worthy enough.
I want to see ALL of your flaws.
I want to see ALL of your imperfections.
I want to see ALL of your hopes and fears.
I want to see All the stories, struggles, and pain…
Because when you let it out and put it on the table, it loses its power and will set you FREE.
When we can let go of what other people think of us, and not caring about being judged or afraid of being too vulnerable, we’re free.
Living undefended is your f**king super power.
When you can live with courage, strength, VULNERABILITY, authenticity, and being comfortable in your own skin not having to impress anybody let alone the world, you’re free.
I don’t know about you, but…
Hiding your heart and true self is painful and it’s macho bullsh*t.
There is NOTHING good about playing small, being AFRAID TO LIVE YOUR TRUTH, or to LOVE and EXPRESS yourself.
When you finally understand the freedom and liberation that comes on the other side of SHOWING YOUR TRUE SELF…all of you, it becomes the biggest gift to yourself AND to all the people who you come into contact with.
It’s EXACTLY what connects us, it makes you HUMAN, not perfect, but HUMAN and ultimately free.
I’m not talking about being a complainer, a whiner, or a negative downer, spewing your stuff all over people, but being a REAL person, flaws included, who has the courage to be vulnerable and to follow your heart and your soul calling.
If you’re a LEADER, answer the CALL.
If you’re an ARTIST, answer the CALL.
If you’re an ENTREPRENEUR, answer the CALL.
If you’re a HEALER, answer the call.
If you’re a LOVER, answer the CALL.
Whatever it is…
Your CALLING is CALLING You.
It literally chases you and will eventually have its way with you.
You can surrender to it or let it continue to beat you upside your head harder and harder until you pay attention and finally answer it, just know that it WILL come after you, because it’s who you’re meant to be no matter how big or small, it’s IN your DNA.
We’re not broken; sometimes we just get lost and disconnected from our truth path, but it’s always there waiting for us.
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My calling and passions were chasing me for decades and I tried to ignore it, but now I have fully embraced it, and it has changed my life forever, and I will NEVER, ever look back or compromise my truth or my heart again.
There’s nothing like actually doing the things that make you COME ALIVE, not the empty, shallow life of filling the void with consuming the sh*t that society says will fix you.
We’re not broken; sometimes we just get lost and disconnected from our truth path, but it’s always there waiting for us.
We’re meant to create, not just consume.
Creating is powerful, the Universe is Creative and so are we.
So what about money?
Money’s great.
In the new world, the gatekeepers are all but extinct, so if you want to be creative or entrepreneurial AND make money doing it, find a way to stand out.
How do you stand out?
Be different, be yourself, JUST DO YOU, and put on your entrepreneur hat and you can and will CRUSH IT in just about anything you put your mind to, if you’re willing.
When we show up in our truth, living from our hearts, following our callings and passion we become magnets to opportunity, people want to be around authentic and happy people who are fully alive.
This is an INVITATION.
A call to YOUR SOUL to GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION to BE who you REALLY are…
Not a replica…
Not a clone…
Not wearing a worn out mask…
But just finally being THE REAL YOU.
Standing spiritually naked on top of a mountain FREE AT LAST.
Beyond the SHOULD’S.
Beyond the SHAME.
Beyond the DOUBTS.
Beyond the FEARS.
This is your LIFE.
This is your TRUTH.
This is your HEART.
This is your SOUL calling.
So the question is…
Why Are You Still Living Behind that Mask?
And do you have the balls and courage to Take It Off, SHOW UP for yourself, AND for us?
It will change your life forever.
I know YOU have something special.
I know YOU have a gift.
I know YOU are powerful.
I know YOU are a bad ass.
So step up and show us what you got because you CAN and WILL make the world a better place.
The time is now and we need you.
It’s OK to take off the mask…
I SEE You.
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This post is republished on Medium.
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The Good Men Project gives people the insights, tools, and skills to survive, prosper and thrive in today’s changing world. A world that is changing faster than most people can keep up with that change. A world where jobs are changing, gender roles are changing, and stereotypes are being upended. A world that is growing more diverse and inclusive. A world where working towards equality will become a core competence. We’ve built a community of millions of people from around the globe who believe in this path forward. Thanks for joining The Good Men Project.
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Photo credit: iStock
It’s Halloween time, Brandon…the only time one should wear a mask. Why guys have to constantly prove their toughness all the time is beyond me. Your tough, we know, we get it, go pat a puppy. Never been able to get my head around that. I did all the “man” things, even made mistakes based upon such, but I neither look nor act like that. Most would never know that about me. I can’t count how many times I’ve heard, “you don’t seem like that kind of guy”. Heck, it’s almost as if I’m wearing a paradoxical mask, but there… Read more »