The First Snow

I love snow, absolutely love it.

A sheet of snow on the ground covers everything. You can't see what was there before, it is simply covered.

The problem is that no matter how much snow falls, no matter if that is all you can see, all it does is cover. All the rocks, sticks, mud, and nasties are still there. When the snow melts, you will see it again, because the snow does absolutely nothing but cover it up.

This got me to thinking today as I watched the snow fall. We all have problems and pasts we want to dissipate, but I feel that all to often instead of addressing the root problem, we let the snow fall. It falls, and falls, and falls, and falls, beautiful as ever. People look and see a beautiful blanket of "snow" and we, momentarily, feel gratified. Happy, even, that we are able to look so beautiful.

But the sun will rise, like it does every single day, and the clouds will part, like they always do, and when that happens, the snow melts. The snow melts into a nasty slushy mess, revealing what is underneath and that what was there was just a cover, a facade. No matter how long we wear our masks, no matter how much a part of us they become, the moment we are put under fire, everything will slide off, and the truth will be revealed.

I have to be honest, that is what I fear most. The masks I choose to wear, who will be there when they come off? What will those people see? I like myself better with my masks, but I have to ask myself, is it really worth it? I have come to the conclusion, that no, it is not worth it. Why wear a mask, and cover yourself in a beautiful blanket of snow, when you can instead pick up the rocks, mud, dirt, sticks, and other nasties from your life. Be beautiful underneath the snow.

I promise, if you want to, if you are willing ot put in the work, you can be more beautiful after the snow melts. You can be even more striking without the mask.

Throw off the mask, and smile in your new beauty.

~ Danielle