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Friday, May 1, 2015

The Mask


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!

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