Smile, you're on vacation!

In the movie Point Break, Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves play surfer dudes. But Keanu’s character is really an undercover cop hunting for the President-mask-wearing robbers who’ve been raiding area banks. Patrick Swayze is, of course, the leader of the gang, and wears a Ronald Regan mask when they commit a robbery.

I’ve never knocked over a bank, but I can relate to the mask.

This is me on vacation in an island paradise. The weather is perfect, there’s lots to do, and the staff bring you drinks at the snap of a finger. So why, in this snapshot, does my smile not reach my eyes?

If you’ve read this blog, or my books, you know the answer: I’m racked with anxiety.

Sadly, this wasn’t unusual. I’m 37 in this photo, and didn’t really learn how to manage my anxiety until I was in my 40’s. That meant years of vacations, family trips, holidays, where I was smiling on the outside, wearing a mask for others, while inside I was consumed by fear. I often wondered what it would be like to ‘just be normal.’

In learning about anxiety, and the huge range of other mental illnesses that people suffer silently, I can’t help but wonder how many people are wearing their own masks. All I know is, I’m glad I took mine off.

Left to right: Keanu Reeves, Patrick Swayze (NOT Brian Beneduce)