“God has given you one face, and you make yourself another.”
William Shakespeare
“There is a face beneath this mask, but it isn’t me. I’m no more that face than I am the muscles beneath it, or the bones beneath that.”
Steve Moore
I’ve never been too good at hiding how I feel. Makes me a bad liar. Probably, explains why, I’ve lost many games requiring a poker face. And whenever I try to put on my best mask, I end up with a contorted face. What can I say? I tried.
“A mask tells us more than a face.”
Oscar Wilde
And yet, many seem to flout this rule without a care for its consequences. If they don’t like something, they’d frown. If they’re sad, they will show it. And if they are happy, they can light up the world.
“Masks beneath masks until suddenly the bare bloodless skull.”
Salman Rushdie
Whenever we travel, I’ve seen so many who don’t care much for masks. They’ve thrown them away and traded it for honesty. And have used their vulnerability to their advantage. Winning hearts and smiles and above all, giving you hope, that some of us — can survive — without a mask. And we don’t need to hide behind it. We’d do just fine, the way we were born.
twobrownfeet 
What an absolutely beautiful post Cheryl. Love the photos, stunning as always, which marry so wonderfully with your words and quotes. Heartfelt and perfect for the Daily Post theme this week 🙂
Thank you, Miriam. 🙂 The themes for the Daily Post are perfect for me to experiment. I’m so glad it’s working!
They’re great aren’t they. 🙂
Beautiful pictures x
Thanks so much! We love this collection too. 🙂
Amazing photos with profound wisdom!
Thanks a bunch, Michael! We meet so many interesting people on our travels. Although, we’d never meet them again, what strikes me the most, is how much we can learn from them. 🙂 Have a great week ahead!
Lots of faces with great character!
Couldn’t agree more! 🙂
A beautiful post. I also like that you and I both chose the same title for our post: “The Face Behind The Mask”, chose black and white photographs, but ended up in very different directions. Your photos are truly beautiful.
Thank you for your comment! It’s interesting how we started on the same path and ended up in totally different directions. 🙂 Made me smile. Thanks for stopping by.
I think, sadly, we are brought up to think that we are weak in some way if we show our feelings and therefore tend to hide behind a mask. A faces that shows how a person is feeling is far more attractive.
I agree. My line of thought exactly. I wish we could be who we are minus the pretense. That’s why I love travelling. On the road, we meet incredible (real) people. And the ones who rarely meet visitors from the outside – are the most honest. 🙂
As someone who has witnessed your “poker” face in person, or was it just you hiding from the promoters at the new Tous Le Jour…I’d agree that you’re a bad liar. Haha. :p
Haha! That was hilarious. I was trying everything to run away from the promoters. I definitely need to practice my ‘poker face’. 🙂
Lol…was it you or Bora that hid behind me. :p
Both of us! And that was the funniest part! Haha! Then, Bora had a celebrity moment and wanted to take part in the event meant for kids!
Terrific thoughts and images, Cheryl. “Forlorn”stopped me in my tracks. Wonderful.
Thank you so much, Jane. 🙂 It’s a very old photo. Clicked way back in 2012 by Basil.
A stunner of a post. Loved the way you have weaved the quotes on masks with the photographs. Each photo tells a story!
Glad you liked it! Thanks so much! 🙂
Another great write with a great message, Cheryl. Love the message: that we don’t need to hide behind a certain look or face to be the best we can be. We are the best when we are ourselves.
Some masks (like the literal kind that you put over your face) scare me, like the ones that look like a clown face or with overly exaggerated figures. I don’t know why, but they always scared me since I was a kid 😀 I’m quite the opposite of you when it comes to expressing emotion – I’m very good at hiding it. I’d say it takes practise…but I think you are honest and kind enough not to lie to others about how you are feeling by showing your true face 🙂
Thank you, Mabel! Truly appreciate your comment. 🙂 I understand your fear of clowns. I don’t like them either. I wish I was more like you (or Basil). I can never hide how I feel. And am always driven by emotion. Very bad combination in the real world. Good for writing, though! 🙂
You can pratice your poker-face more, maybe that will help 🙂 But I think revealing your true feelings you essentially don’t lie to the other person and sometimes that can work in your favour 🙂
That’s good advice. I’m going to keep that in mind.
Really enjoyed this well written post with wonderful photos. I have never had a poker face either; makes for interesting times at work I must say.
Thank you, Sue! 🙂 Your comment made me smile trying to imagine those ‘interesting’ situations.
you got talent
Thank you! 🙂
Interesting post. I suppose which face you wear depends on your character and the circumstances, and if you’re traveling you might be a bit freer as repercussions are only temporary. But for some, like politicians, do we ever see a true face?
Couldn’t agree more, Dave. I’ve always wondered if politicians, like actors, can show their true face – without a mask. Thanks for your comment. 🙂
I am very bad at wearing a mask and this has been an obstacle in my career. 😦 Thanks for a thought-provoking post.
Me too! 😦
wow, tell me more about The Lone Woman – Guilin…is it some transport for tourists? love her smile 🙂
Isn’t she gorgeous? A raft ride is pretty common among tourists in Guilin. It’s a tourist trap, something we fell for. But, the experience was enjoyable. She was the only woman ferrying tourists across. And what’s fascinating is the strength she must have. It’s not easy on those arms.
What an interesting post! Really got me thinking… I’ve always been told I don’t have a mask & whether I like it or not, my eyes just give it away….Although I have to admit, I try, a lot, to put on that mask. Is it part of being a grown up? Or so I’ve heard:)
That makes two of us! 🙂 Have a great week Divya. Thanks for stopping by.
that says a lot 🙂
Thanks, Daniel. 🙂
Emotive portaits…fantastic b&w series
Thanks, Sree! Truly appreciate your comment. 🙂