Revelation Under a Book's Cover

Never judge a book by it's cover. I've never agreed with that. In fact, I learn a lot from a cover. A title draws my attention, in hopes of having me reach for it on the bookshelf. A cover picture hints at the genre; autobiography and trashy love stories have very different images. The reviews taunt me to peep inside. If I know the author, I am only more encouraged to read the first few lines. Just like that, I am hooked.

Some people are really good at covering up what is going on inside. Me, not so much. I've discovered with some past experiences that I am quite transparent and easy to read, in the most literal sense. Sad? My shoulders sink, my face droops, and I exude frowns from my pores. Even if I say I'm doing alright, there is no doubt that I'm at the tipping point of bursting into tears. Happy? My feet bounce, my hips shake, and my hair stands on ends. I can't close my mouth, nor stop moving, and purple electric waves energize the world around me. No, I am not exaggerating. 

That is why I am so impressed with how well others can conceal what is going on inside of them. There is so much pain in life, and yet people cover it up. It is more natural to stand independent and strong, rather than admitting to weakness. Understandably so, because you put yourself in a very vulnerable state when you do open the book and reveal the deep story within. We instead improvise and create; we make two bookends to keep the pages of our lives from scattering in the wind and across the ocean.

 I recently spoke with a dear friend who is valiantly overcoming a bout of depression. As she reflects on her past state of mind, I am amazed at how our mind can rationalize a situation even when our body is telling us to halt immediately. Still, we don't listen! We endure, and create what seems to be a kryptonite spine from the peripheral view. Yet that spine is bound to fall apart as soon as we open the cover. I am taking this metaphor too far, so I need to get to my point: what do you have on your cover? Do you show the true blue you or are you ambiguously auburn? Both are human ways of experiencing life, but it couldn't hurt to recognize where you are at on the spectrum and let someone (maybe it's you) look beyond that enticing book cover.