Too many people waste their time trying to be someone else. I
wonder how many times we have walked into a room of pasted smiles and false
laughter; where we find ourselves as mere spectres going about life, each
ignorant in our own isolation. Somehow, we feel better when we are busy
constructing barriers; thinking we are protecting ourselves by keeping others
from catching a glimpse of the real person within. But problems arise from this
self-deception. Not expressing one’s
true feelings only results in anger and resentment. Moreover, hiding our true
selves is an exhausting undertaking and never really gives a sense of security.
As proven throughout history, walls are seldom able to
maintain their purpose indefinitely. The Berlin Wall fell, the Great Wall of
China, a symbol of power, still gave way to the Mongols and other invaders. In
the same way, we build walls of false images and spend all our energy trying to
sustain them. It is a fruitless effort for, in doing so, we miss out on much
and forget what’s important; like loving others or having loyal friends and
supportive families.
This begs the question of who are we really afraid of? For the
walls will eventually fall and then with whom are we left? Surely not those we
have blocked out.
These mental strongholds: We try to hide behind them but all
we succeed in achieving is hiding from ourselves. For the real threat comes
from within and no matter how many outer defenses we mount, they won’t shield
us from the true person inside. And peace will only come through acceptance.
