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I really enjoy fancy dress parties. I think it brings out the actor in me and allows me to explore my many alter-egos. As any actor will tell you, to take a part seriously we have to immerse ourselves totally into the mindset of the character we are portraying. We must "become" that character. It is amazing how quickly we can become someone else given the right (or wrong) circumstances. On a number of occasions I have attended fancy dress parties wearing full face masks. Some of these have been quite grotesque. What is fascinating is the way I change behind the mask. Somehow my new identity gives me permission to "take liberties" which normally I would be most reluctant to do. Instead of being reserved and feeling initially awkward in a party crowd, I find myself moving freely and easily around the room, enjoying the reactions, comments and conversations of others while I hide safely behind my mask. I think on those occasions I learn more about myself, especially as I observe the way people react "to me" as a new identity. What gives us our identity? To what extent is it really our own? Are we able to change our identity or is there a solid core to our personality which is non-negotiable? Are there are some things about us which never change? It seems we are constantly negotiating our identity. Simply observe the stages of development we go through as we grow older and the changes they bring, not only physically, but mentally as well. Watch a teenager wrestle with their emerging identity as they move into puberty. The changes can be startling. Quite often our career paths shape our identities. Certainly those professions which require uniforms merge our roles and identities. When we take off the uniform to what extent do we remove our "identity" as well? In those occupations where uniforms are not required we may nevertheless find ourselves putting on some "mantle" which gives us our status and tell us and others who we are. It may be the way we dress, the cars we drive, simply the profession we have. How often have you been asked that conversation breaker, "And what do you do?" Is that the same as asking "Who are you?" If we were asked the second question we would probably respond by answering the first, because identity and public status and role seem almost inseparable. You only have to observe what happens when someone's professional circumstances change rapidly or they lose their job. Frequently their identity is removed as well and they and others don't know who they really are. Our identities, it appears, are largely a social construct. They are created by our culture, our professions, our status, our roles. They are what other people give us. Our personalities are something else again. When I was hiding behind the mask at the fancy dress party I was also hiding my real identity. But let me assure you I was also discovering my real personality. The sense of freedom was immense. Have you discovered the person who lives behind your identity mask?
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