A mask or masque is an artistic covering of the face to hide ones
true identity. In Shakespeare’s time, when Romeo was banned to attend Juliet’s
party because of family feud, the former wore a mask in disguise of a reveller so he could enter the masquerade
ballroom just to be with his lovely Juliet.
Today the use of a mask is artistically carried out in nearly all
places where one’s relationship
with others has reached. The maskers are not strangers.They maybe your
friends in your work place
,subordinates or superiors who appear to be amiable ,sweet and respectable that one wouldn’t expect a sudden betrayal. They are so
cunningly cruel , working with
others in synchronized motion and nobody would suspect that despite their honourable position they
could be duped to doing the basest maneuver of putting others down.
One of my defining moments was
a day with the life of maskers. As a would be septuagenarian . I have met these maskers in my journey to old age and was able
to respond to their plot successfully. But now this story is so different from
the ones I met. The lesson gleaned from the experience is a must share to all who read my blog.
After 65 I worked as a volunteer in a business organization in our locality.
It has nearly been four years of
leading the board in initiating reforms so we could translate policies into
meaningful service .I must have stirred the hornet’s nest because the bees removed from their
comfort zones have stung me
mercilessly.
The day of the reckoning came on election time where I have to run for re election. This was
where they could vent their anger for the initiatives we made that they did not welcome. I received a text
message not to vote for my name! So funny, they must have sent the message to
many. Code numbers on whom to vote
were sent through text and my number was not included. Some managers and staff under their control joined the revelry.
When I entered the venue where six thousand members attended, I was met with
printed materials disqualifying me. Of all the candidates, why Me?. Oral
campaigns to oust me were
whispered inside the hall. Intelligent members asked why but the explanations
were nil. During the business meeting which I presided, questions were raised
to distract my focus so I would leave the meeting in disarray. But thanks God I
made it until the meeting was
adjourned. The result of the election was overwhelming. There was a miraculous
intervention since their campaign against me turned positive in my favor. I still got the
highest vote to the dismay of the bees who could no longer produce honey!
Indeed what man proposes God
disposes.
The lesson—truth is always silent. It never uses tinkling cymbals to
announce its presence. It is never sugar coated or masked. It does not employ
high sounding rhetorics to cover
lies. Truth is God, lie is the enemy. The former has never been defeated
by the latter. The enemy is so cunning
by using intelligent, religious, rich and honourable men to join the
deceiver. Just be on the look out, many things are happening now ! Just be true
,be honest in all our dealings
with our fellow men and they will protect you against professed friends who
wear the MASK!