True Self

Every day was like any other day, but unbeknown to me this one would be the very day that would change my life forever and be the very mirror of my existence. It was bright and sunny, so I decided to take a walk to Chinatown. Cutting through a narrow street, I came across an out-of-the-way, small eyeglass store. I didn’t need glasses, but I felt an odd urge to go inside. I was only in there a minute when the storekeeper approached me. “I have special glasses just for you.” “It’s OK, I’m just browsing.” But the storekeeper insisted; showing me a simple pair of clear-lens glasses. “These special glasses to help you see well. You see the world as He sees it,” as he pointed upward. “These like mirror, you see true self. You learn more about life and relationships.” He paused, then profoundly said, “God, He doesn’t judge people by external appearance! Now, you take!” Hesitantly, I took the pair. “How much?” “No money, you take,” the man insisted. Confused and suspicious, I placed the glasses into my purse and left, trying to figure out what just happened…. As I left, I slipped my wallet into my purse seeing the glasses the store owner gave me. I stared at them and thought, special? “Hum.” I put them on in hopes I would feel better. As I walked down the street, a woman wearing a wolf mask with snarling teeth approached from the opposite direction. I wondered if there was a special event going on. Though I was still hurt, I wanted to make someone feel good. As the woman passed I said with a smile, “Scary mask,” but all I heard from her in return was a vicious growl. Weird, I thought, as I kept walking. I saw quite a few people on the street wearing animal masks and tails that whipped around as they walked. I surmised, it must be a really big event.