staring at your reflection in the foggy mirror and forcing the corners of your mouth up until the expression looks believable enough to pass inspection

The Light Sees Behind Your Mask

The bathroom mirror is fogged over, and you are tracing a smile that doesn't reach your eyes. You hold the corners of your mouth up until the expression looks believable enough to pass inspection tomorrow.

It is exhausting work, pretending to be whole when you feel fractured inside. But the light does not need your performance to find you.

There is a peace that does not depend on your ability to look okay. It waits for you in the quiet, behind the mask you wear for the world.

You do not have to keep holding the smile up for the light to recognize you. The mask is for them; the truth is for you.

Drawing from

John, Gospel of Thomas

Verses

John 14:1

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