28 Comments
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Esther Stanway-Williams's avatar

I think this describes the experience of writing on Substack rather well!

Rea de Miranda's avatar

Doesn’t it, Esther? 💞

Jen Reich's avatar

Love this one, Rea. Thank you for sharing your art.

Rea de Miranda's avatar

Thank you, Jen. ❤️

Stephanie Marie's avatar

I love this and it conjured up many different thoughts. I heard long ago that even our enemies are friends in costume playing a role to help our souls advance. This sometimes helps me to see those who’ve hurt me through a lens of grace. Conversely, it’s so obvious when certain people are masking and it exhausts me. The performance we all do to fit in or appear a certain way out of fear or insecurity or just because we are too afraid to truly know and see ourselves can be so disheartening and draining.

But the way you’ve written it about it here has produced feelings of warmth—that we shouldn’t take ourselves so seriously. That we get to decide which role we play and with whom. We get to decide which stages we dance on. And there’s something so freeing about that.

So much to reflect on here!

Rea de Miranda's avatar

You are right, Stephanie. We choose which stage to dance on. Thank you for sharing your reflection on this. ❤️

Virginia Curtis's avatar

Art for art's sake. When we pick it apart and analyze it too closely, we risk a change from the creative brain to the analytical side, which cancels out creativity. Let your art be your art and it will find who it is meant to touch. Love, Virg

Rea de Miranda's avatar

Thank you for your lovely comment, Virg. 💗

Stephanie M. Vargo's avatar

Excellent work!

Rea de Miranda's avatar

Thank you, Stephanie!

Jane Deegan's avatar

Omg! I feel this!!

Rea de Miranda's avatar

Thank you for feeling it, Jane! 🤍

Mark Farley’s wandering’s's avatar

A thought provoking poem, and started me thinking of what I expect of myself, which is living in line with one’s true self, beliefs, and honesty.

Versus, those who rather hide by playing a prescribed role or maintaining a facade to the world.

Fascinating Rea, thank you.

Rea de Miranda's avatar

Precisely, Mark. I’d rather be my authentic self. Thank you!

Yols's avatar

The way you write is so beautiful!! Love reading your posts💕

Rea de Miranda's avatar

Thank you, Yols! 💞

Jenny Blue's avatar

This hit on the nail for me, Rea. And I love the forward <3

Rea de Miranda's avatar

Thank you, Jenny! 🤍🤍

Skott Jones's avatar

a daring description of the duo we present for praise - the acted and the authentic. truly beautiful work, rea.

Rea de Miranda's avatar

Thank you, Skott. 🤍

Octarine's avatar

Another brave and honest beautiful piece 💜

Rea de Miranda's avatar

Thank you, Octarine! 🤍

Brenda - A Voice that Wonders's avatar

This is just so true. I relate to this so well. Beautifully written dear Rea. Verskriklik mooi💞

Rea de Miranda's avatar

Dankie Brenda! 💞

Marisol Muñoz-Kiehne's avatar

May we delight in

this theater’s lighter acts.

Tragicomedy.

Rea de Miranda's avatar

We are all performing our hearts out. Thank you for the restack, Marisol!