January Week 2 - Cleaning Out The Clutter - Remove Your Mask!!!

This week as we move into the second week of 2010, I am challenging myself as well as those of you who are joining me for this journey of self-discovery and personal development, to remove your mask!!! Many of us have deep wounds and scars and we have spent years perfecting just the right way to keep them covered. We walk around with a smile on our faces yet inside our pain runs deep. We cover those parts of us that we don't want the world to see with our make-up, fancy weaves and hairdos, clothes, careers, and status only to find ourselves feeling very empty at the end of the day.

Our reasons for remaining behind the safety of our masks is understandable. Who wants to face the judgement and scrutiny of the world once they see us for who we really are? How many friends, and acquaintances would turn their backs on us if they knew about the mistakes we've made in the past, and those that we continue to make today? In many cases it is easier to keep our masks on versus having to deal with the opposition that often comes along with "Keeping It Real." Though we are able to hide behind our masks from the world, the one person from whom we cannot hide is God. Sometimes we wear our masks for so long that we even begin to fool ourselves into thinking that things really are as well within our lives as we portray them to be. This week as we continue to clean out the clutter in our lives, I challenge you to remove your mask before God and spend some time analyzing which areas of our lives are in need of improvement, and to begin seeking God for direction and healing. Below are my personal top five favorites feel free to create your own list or select from those provided below.


1. Finances - "The Baller"

Are you spending so much time trying to maintain an image or lifestyle that your finances are spinning out of control? Your designer clothes, purse, and shoes give you the appearance of having it all together, but what people don't know is that the bill collectors are ringing your phone off the hook.


2. Relationships - "The Perfect Couple"

Everyone thinks you're in a perfect relationship but everyday you're battling abuse, infidelity, mistrust, poor communication, or overall dissatifaction.


3. Spirituality - "Mr. Or Ms. Holy Roller"

You are in church every Sunday, Wednesday, and any other time service is held. You faithfully attend bible study and every church convention around the city. Yet your lifestyle fails to align with any of the messages heard, or scriptures taught.



4. Health - "Mr. or Ms. Diet Cola" or "Ms. High Metabolism"

Either you're always on a diet, feel like you will never have to diet or you just don't care. If you are a Mr. or Ms. Diet Cola, you're so overly health conscious that anyone who buys you a drink knows to ask for diet, you're constantly counting calories, yet time and time again you give in to temptation, and never seem to quite reach your fitness goal. Or Maybe you feel that because you have a "high metabolism" you are excluded from having to work out or watch what you eat and continue to fill your body with an unhealthy diet. Then there are those who just don't care. In order for our bodies to function properly it is important that we make a committment to provide healthy nourishment, rest and exercise for our bodies.



5. Negative Attitudes - "Mr. Or Ms. Freedom Of Speech"

It is important that we express our opinions and let our voices be heard, but sometimes it's ok to plead the fifth. Many times what we feel is simply voicing our opinion turns into a vent session that fills the air with negativity. If you find your vent session turning into a slew of negative remarks toward others, a stream of profanity filled declarations, or your voice rising to unusual levels, it may be time to plead the fifth, and seek ways to change the situation using more peaceful methods. The only people who want to be around negative people, are other negative people. Positive change, begins with positive attitudes and positive actions.


The types of masks we wear daily are endless. These are the top five that at different phases of my life I have found myself struggling with, and a couple that I am still fighting to overcome today. This week let's take our masks off before the only one who can heal us, and ask God to give us guidance and direction so that when people look at our lives, we will know that they are seeing us for who we truly are and not just our masks. One thing that each of us has in common is that we each exist in the world with our own set of imperfections. By being willing to take off our masks and share our testimonies, we give others the freedom to do the same.