We’ve all worn masks. I think I’ve worn the one with the gold and red ribbon in the center of the picture.
There have been times in my life where I have wondered what the heck am I gonna do next. That’s been my time of being a part of the masquerade.
Have you ever been in the place where you wonder what the next step is?
Trust me, I’ve been there…
It is those times when you have felt paralyzed and have thought there has to be more to life, but you find it difficult to know what direction to take. Maybe you’ve seen yourself fail or the unexpected has happened that flips your world upside down.
Let me tell you more about one of those world-rocking times… Seventeen years ago my fourth child was born with Down Syndrome.
I can remember standing in my living room, feeling alone and being afraid. I knew nothing about Trisomy 21, children who were born with an extra chromosome on the 21st pair or Down Syndrome.
Sure, It was hard those first few months after Patrick was born. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t hard having Patrick. I loved and treated him like my other children… as a capable human being despite some of the things I had read or was told about Trisomy 21. The difficulty was seeing pitied faces and hearing the limiting beliefs people had of Down Syndrome.
The great thing was we often proved those beliefs wrong. I learned fast that conscious awareness was the best way to grow this child, any child and listening to those beliefs wasn’t worth a dime.
I was told Patrick couldn’t nurse. With perseverance, commitment, and support Patrick eventually latched on and nursed exclusively. There were many of those moments. It became clear to me that Patrick was here in his perfect form, the one that God intended for him…And what a gift!
This month is National Down Syndrome Awareness month. Patrick is 17 years old. Today, I stand in my living room with a full heart and eyes that see through a different lens. I count the many gifts he has brought to me. A trait that comes to mind as our Halloween nears is that Patrick is Patrick. He doesn’t wear a mask, or hide himself. He is who he is wholeheartedly. He doesn’t think twice about who he is or what others think of him.
So many of us put on that mask and present ourselves the way we want to be seen, the way we think society expects us to be. With that, we rob ourselves of our authenticity, our true self, our gifts and talents. We prevent ourselves from making genuine connections that enrich our lives.
We can either wear the mask that hides us or remove it all together to expose our real self. It is clear that one path leads you to the land of pretend and disconnection, the other towards a beautiful life experience full of love, connectedness and joy.
The good thing is that we all have a choice here.
So, the next time when you feel the constriction of wondering what people are thinking… pull off the mask and be you. Take the risk. I know now that when people show up and be vulnerable it not only changes the lives of those around them, but it has the ability to ripple and change the world.
I am Lisa Jollimois, mother of four who loves supporting women 40 plus who are looking for a more fulfilling life. I work with women who want to take the mask off, uncover themselves, take the next step, rewrite their story, be more vulnerable, and learn how to live happier, healthier, confident and radiant.
If this interests you, email me for your FREE Discovery call at lisa@lisajollimois.com or sign up at https://calendly.com/lisa-365
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Big Hugs,
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