'Everyone is like the Moon, and has a Dark Side which he never shows to anybody' Mark Twain

We all wear masks. I put one on in the morning when I put on my make up before I leave home. We all put one on when we don't want others to see how we really look or how we feel. We give a 'good morning smile' to people when we've dragged ourselves out of bed and smiling is the last hing you feel like doing. We put on an alert, interested face when we are in the audience of a presentation and the speaker makes eye contact with you. A few weeks ago I was in a stressful meeting which got a bit heated and afterwards someone said to me 'I didn't know how to arrange my face'. 'Eh?' I asked 'I was searching for an appropriate expression, should I put on my concerned face? My shocked expression? Or should I wear a neutral expression?. she said. 'What? you thought about all that? What's wrong with just being....real?' I asked. 'Oh No,' she said 'You have to set the right tone, give the right impression.' It came as no surprise to learn that she was, before she changed profession, an actress.

The three main candidates in the upcoming elections will be wearing many masks in the coming weeks. We, the voters, as well as investigating and understanding the policies on offer, will also have to remember that the face we see is not the real one. They are hiding their secret face.

We all have secrets. In the past I have spent years leading a secret life, not sharing the 'real' me with my nearest and dearest. To protect them, to protect myself and to protect others. Nothing too shocking or unusual. Just that the me they knew had other facets and another life. Even now I have secrets. My blogging for instance. I have told my daughter I have started blogging and she has shown no interest in reading them (although I hope that one day she will) but I haven't told anyone else. When I was leaving work today someone asked 'What are you up to tonight? Going out?' I was keen to get home so I could write but I could hardly say that could I? So I said 'No, I'm not doing anything tonight'. The 'real' me is still behind a mask.

I saw you this morning.
You were moving so fast.
Can’t seem to loosen my grip
On the past.
And I miss you so much.
There’s no one in sight.
And we’re still making love
In My Secret Life.

I smile when I’m angry.
I cheat and I lie.
I do what I have to do
To get by.
But I know what is wrong,
And I know what is right.
And I’d die for the truth
In My Secret Life.

Hold on, hold on, my brother.
My sister, hold on tight.
I finally got my orders.
I’ll be marching through the morning,
Marching through the night,
Moving cross the borders
Of My Secret Life.

Looked through the paper.
Makes you want to cry.
Nobody cares if the people
Live or die.
And the dealer wants you thinking
That it’s either black or white.
Thank G-d it’s not that simple
In My Secret Life.

I bite my lip.
I buy what I’m told:
From the latest hit,
To the wisdom of old.
But I’m always alone.
And my heart is like ice.
And it’s crowded and cold
In My Secret Life.
Leonard Cohen