Process

In my English class we’re talking about Romanticism and Transcendentalism, which led us to read many works by different authors. One of them being Nathaniel Hawthorne, known by most from the book, The Scarlet Letter. He also wrote some short stories, which I mostly enjoyed. And one of them, striking too close to home than I would’ve liked.

The Minister’s Black Veil. The title pretty much sums up the story. In a Puritan village the minister starts to wear a black veil over his face, which causes this huge issue, but he won’t take it off and he won’t tell them why he has it on. At the end of the story, he reveals the reason- because everyone else has a mask on, why shouldn’t he?

This ties into what James talked about on Wednesday...about being the real you. How telling the truth to the people you love with help develop better relationships with them. Imagine my surprise that I had just kept something from a good friend that was WEIGHING on my heart. Big shocker that I ended up telling her the thing that I had purposly tried so hard NOT to tell her...and what a big shock that James and Heather were right- it helped.

I don't think I've had that slammed into my head so hard before- That me keeping my feelings inside actually hurts and offends people more than when I would tell them. That me keeping how I TRULY feel inside is actually breaking up my friendship instead of keeping it together. Who would've guessed? Oh, that's right, me.

A piece of my mask finally came off. But it's one of those Peel-Off Masks. It hurts while you're taking it off, but it feels SO good when it's finally off.

What's the point of learning something if you don't apply it your life?