I wonder what your family tradition is around Halloween? Do you have a family tradition? Some people do and some don't. But, even if you do not celebrate the traditional Halloween as many do, there are some aspects of Halloween that all of us do on a daily basis without even realizing it. 

I will explain that in a bit.

Growing up in my family Halloween was a GREAT time!! My Mom and Dad had six children. So, I had 2 wonderful sisters and three awesome brothers! And, for us Halloween was such a wonderful time of dress up, fun, laughter, and pretending to be something we were not. We made all our own costumes. And, we collected the treats and various goodies in pillow cases.  And we would go out for hours!! 

We grew up in Winnipeg in what we thought was a quieter, simpler, safer time. And think how cold it can be sometimes by October 31st in Winnipeg. it didn't phase us at all. :-) We would go out together and when our bags were getting heavy we would go home and empty them into one big galvanized bathtub. And we'd go out again until after dark. At that time, when we approached a house, we hollered "Halloween Apples" (with a musical tone) because many people gave out McIntosh apples and home made goodies, not the now traditional candies. But, as children of course we preferred the candy!  

One year my sister and I rented period costumes from the early 1900's with the big hats and gowns and went out on the town in Vancouver. We had dinner at the Old Spagetti factory, sat in the old rail car and had our pictures taken. I wish I could find that photo now to share with you. 

Getting back to what I meant about most of us practicing some aspect of Halloween every day. On this day of Halloween, many costumes will include putting on a mask. For this one day, many get to be whomever they want. But what about the other days? Even for those who don't believe in dress-up or make believe for Halloween? What mask are you wearing then? The mask of "I'm fine" or "looking and acting ok" on the outside but "dying on the inside".

We wear masks all the time. The mask of the employee, or boss, who thinks working harder will get you where you want to be. The mask of mom, or dad, holding back emotions when you just want to break down and cry because you're so exhausted or don't know how to handle a situation or because you are in overwhelm? The mask of being all things to all people. The mask of trying to please everyone and not pleasing yourself! 

When are you being your "authentic self"? When are YOU living YOUR true life purpose? So many people are going to work every day to a job where they have to check their Soul at the door and put on a mask! So many have started in a career when they were young and weren't sure what they wanted to do or be or what their life purpose really is and just carrry on year after year even though on the inside they know they are meant for MORE and DIFFERENT! And, sadly doing this for too long has serious consequences such as depression, illness, fractured relationships, debt  and more.

Masks for a time can make life "tolerable" but, eventuallty they make life more challenging and eventually "intolerable". Masks keep us from knowing our true self. Masks keep us from living into our true potential. Masks keep us from living our true passion and purpose.

Friend, right now I invite you to take off the mask and be YOU. 

YOU, are a luminous light being sent to this world for a very important purpose! You are here to be the YOU that ONLY YOU can BE! You are here to make the DIFFERENCE and have the IMPACT that ONLY YOU can in the way that ONLY YOU can! 

Are you ready to take off the mask and become who you are called to be, Friend? Are you ready to live a Life YOU really LOVE?