Happy Halloween! The one day a year we get to wear costumes and mask ourselves, pretending to be someone or something else. Every other day of the year we just wear invisible masks hiding our authenticity…our wholeness. Even as a child I didn’t care much for this holiday. I thought it was strange for a kid but the older I got I realized it was my analytical mind trying to find reasons. I have never been afraid of horror films. I am not scared of monsters. I am frightened by much more than witches, goblins, and grave robbers.
I am terrified of rejection, criticism, intolerance, ignorance, hatred, and an array of human emotions that create a detachment in our society. I am crippled at times by failing and never giving my heart completely to another. I’m paralyzed with anxiety at times, afraid of how humanity has evolved so much metaphysically (in theory) but chooses not to practice fellowship, unity, and peace. I am not scared of spirits but those folks who are emotional vampires sucking the life from everyone around them. Who needs a wolf man when depression lurks just around the corner in our world? Who needs monsters when there are murders, molesters, rapists, and dictators in every country of the world?
I am not frightened by the idea of the devil, but I respect and fear the evil in our world: those who speak of peace while holding on to some sort of weapon manipulating the need to control. We’ve had hundreds of these men who want to create a better world by killing others. That scares the crap out of me! I am alarmed and horrified by hypocrisy, fallacies, lies, manipulation, and confrontations. I rather hear truth, even if it’s raw and ugly at first, be hurt for a moment than be deceived later on. Those things rape belief systems, trust, faith, and hope. I am deeply concerned and afraid of love disappearing from our lives with each evolving generation as they hide behind technology rather than human interaction. I am scared shitless of faith and compassion somehow vanishing from our DNA’s. I am afraid that if we don’t start caring for the earth she will retaliate in horrific ways. It is our home and we should be more conscious of our existence here.
And, I do enjoy Halloween for the sweets. I also live for the sweetness in my life. I am constantly trying authentically to embrace this journey without the ghouls of sadness, violence, and destitution lurking in every corner of our world. I am afraid of the media and how things are sensationalized to create mass fear. I am afraid that if we don’t remove the masks we carry around every day then one day we will have nothing left. Now that’s horror!
We can’t change what we’ve done but we can change who we are at this moment. We can take off the costumes, the masks, the armor suits and show truth to one another. Halloween is one day yet we carry the ghouls and monsters inside all year around. What would you do if you weren’t afraid to let go? Truth is that knock on the door of your soul that gently says, “I carry no more baggage and I am here to stay!” And, that’s one of the best trick-or-treat delights in life. Enjoy the day, everyone!
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About the Author: Millie A. Mestril
After raising six children, working in the corporate world, and being part of a relationship for eighteen years, I found that happiness was not consistent in my world. I left the business world, ended a relationship that was deteriorating and headed to the mountains. My best friend and I bought a small motel in the middle of gorgeous country and began the greatest journey. What started as a visit to Asheville in May of 2010 became a permanent home for us. Now with only one teenager at home, I am able to be part of a wonderful world of meeting people from all walks of life. We’ve transformed an old gem of a place into a sweet and quaint oasis for others to find peace. To those looking into our lives it seems we saved Peaceful Quest Retreats, but the reality is that this place saved us. Every day brings joy, inspiration and a zest for life I never knew existed. The lessons have not always been easy but the ride has been scenic and delightful. I can’t imagine ever returning to a life that was not authentic to my spirit. ~ Millie A. Mestril
Please feel free to visit our website at www.peacefulquestretreats.com . I also have a personal blog at: www.momentswithmillie.wordpress.com
