All the world is a stage..

All the World is a stage, And All the Men and Women merely players...A poem by William Shakespeare. When I first read the poem i was struck by the comparison of all the individuals to being players. The immediate thought in my mind was of people who wear a mask to cover who they really are and act the way they might never do in their real life.

As a youngster, I resolved that I would never wear a mask, to hide myself from others. But, let me tell you in a couple of years, the stage was empty, sans players, sans music or dance. Life seemed to make no sense without players around. I reluctantly took a mask, one with a permanent smile to near ones as well others. Suddenly, others started coming on stage and again life was full of drama and laughter.

Now, years afterwards, I got so used to the mask that not even my close friends are able to see me without it. What do I do? When will I ever throw this mask and be myself? Deep inside I fear that this play is never ending, that players around are more willing to play their part and leave than being themselves and accepting me for who I am. Life seems to perfect with the mask on and still I miss something...I miss the life without it!