Inspirasie / Inspiration

E-Tydskrif / E-Magazine

Die Masked Ball

Issue

February 2014

Die Masker Bal

Uitgawe

Februarie 2014

Inspirasie spog van hierdie maand af met

ons heel eerste “kort-verhaal”bylae.

Hierdie e-boek met kortverhale is

versamelstukke met kortverhale elke

maand.

Hierdie maand spog ons met „n verhaal

deur Mar Fiero.

Moet nie vergeet om jou kopie hierdie

maand GRATIS af te laai nie!

Om te skryf vir die bylae, kontak ons

gerus via die “kontak ons” blad op die

Inspirasie webwerf.

Nog Inspirasie op ons Webwerf!!!

Die menings wat in Inspirasie uitgespreek word is nie noodwendig dié van die redaksie nie. Ons aanvaar

geen verantwoordelikheid vir onjuisthede nie, alhoewel ons alles in ons vermoë doen om te verseker dat die

inhoud feitelik korrek is. Alle regte voorbehou.

Redakteursbrief Bl. 4

Die Masker Het Af Geval – Ina Roux Bl. 5

Letting The mask Fall – Brendon McCarthy Bl. 6

Harlekyn – Gedigte Hoekie Bl. 8

Die Masker Se Koggel – Lizl Prinsloo Bl. 9

Inspired Psychology – Antonelia Willms Bl. 11

Die Roos – Gedigte Hoekie Bl. 13

Mode – Blurr L Bl. 14

The Phantom Behind The Mask – Markus Abbott Bl. 15

Persoonlike Self Masker – Gedigte Hoekie Bl. 16

Elsabé – „n Einde van „n Inspirasie Era Bl. 17

Om Agter „n Masker te Lewe – Anna-Marie Bigaignon Bl. 19

The Phantom Behind The Mask – Poetry Corner Bl. 20

Die Kraak In Die Masker – Emetia Heck Bl. 21

Masks Of Life – Markus Abbott Bl. 23

Behind The Mask – Poetry Corner Bl. 24

Die Masker Maak Die Voël – Amanda Wagenaar Bl. 25

Toe Ek My Masker Opsit – Willene Venter Bl. 26

The Mourning After – Book Review Bl. 28

12 Questions with Rochelle B Weinstein Bl. 29

So Doen Ons Dit – Natasha Reineke Bl. 32

Masks Through The Ages – Anita Joubert Bl. 35

The Mask From The Past – Celeste Bigaignon Bl. 36

Die Waarheid Agter Die Masker – Evan Bl. 39

Inspirasie Van Die Maand Bl. 41

Inhoud

Ek kan nie glo ek sit weer voor „n rekenaar en werk aan Inspirasie nie!

Dit is vir my „n wonderlike voorreg om weer terug te wees en saam met al die ou skrywers te

werk vir wie ek oor die jare so lief geword het. Ek moet egter ook noem dat ons van hierdie

maand af heelwat nuwe skrywers het wat by die Inspirasie span aangesluit het en ek hoop dat

ons lesers met hulle ook „n wonderlike verhouding sal opbou.

Hierdie maand is daar ongelooflik baie veranderinge in Inspirasie. Soos meeste reeds weet het

Elsabé ons verlaat as redaktrise. Ons is hartseer om haar te sien gaan na die afgelope twee jaar

wat sy Inspirasie gelei het, maar ons wens haar die beste toe vir die toekoms.

Hierdie is „n nuwe era van Inspirasie wat aanbreek en Inspirasie kry „n hele nuwe konsep en

baadjie, alhoewel die oorspronklike inspirasie wat die skrywers bied steeds dieselfde sal bly.

Die eerste wat verander is dat Inspirasie van hierdie maand af „n volledige tweetalige tydskrif

word. Ja, jy het reg gelees; van hierdie maand af sal daar Engelse artikels ook in Inspirasie

verskyn. Hierdie is natuurlik deel van „n groter plan om Inspirasie internationaal te neem en

ons leserstal wêreldwyd te verbreed. Ons werk tans daaraan om vertalers te kry wat sal help om

die artikels van beide die Afrikaanse en Engelse skrywers so te vertaal dat ons twee uitgawes

van Inspirasie elke maand bekend kan stel. Een in Engels en een in Afrikaans. Identiese

uitgawes, dieselfde skrywers en dieselfde artikels. Hierdie is Inspirasie se langtermyn plan en

ek kan nie wag om te sien hoe dit uitgevoer gaan word nie.

Hierdie maand spog ons ook met die heel eerste artikel wat ons doen met „n Amerikaanse

skrywer. Van nou af beplan ons om elke maand so „n bietjie met internationale skrywers ook

te gesels. Anita Joubert het gaan gesels met Rochelle B. Weinstein en gaan uitvind oor haar

nuwe boek “What We Leave Behind”.

Ook hierdie maand het ons op die webwerf „n bonus uitgawe wat van nou af elke maand sal

verskyn en net soos Inspirasie gratis afgelaai kan word. Hierdie bonus uitgawe is „n kortverhaal

in e-boek vorm vir almal se genot en ek hoop dat julle dit ook baie sal geniet!

Dis lekker om terug te wees hier by Inspirasie en ek sien uit daarna om te sien hoe ons almal

in 2014 gaan groei! Dankie vir elke skrywer wat weer saam met my op hierdie wa klim om

Inspirasie te kan lewer en dankie vir elke leser daar buite wat Inspirasie vurig aflaai!

Tot volgende keer,

Jaygé Carstens

Redakteursbrief

Ek het altyd gedroom en gewonder of ek aanvaarbaar is by almal.

Is my kinders dalk skaam vir my? Steek ek baie erg af teen oor my broer en my

susters?

Toe breek die dag aan dat ek duidelik kom voel, die masker is besig om af te val van

my oë. So duidelik kon ek dit aanvoel. Ek is net so goed soos enige ander mens. Ek

weet ek is „n goeie vrou vir my man. Ek weet ek is „n goeie Moeder vir my kinders.

Ek hoop werklik ek is „n goeie Ouma vir my kleinkinders.

My masker wat ek altyd opgehad het as ek na „n geleenteid by die skool was, die masker wat ek

altyd gedra het as ek kerk toe gaan of as ek na „n biduur sou gaan het net vanself afgeval.

Toe ons hier by die Aftree Oord aangeland het, het ons onmiddelik tuis gevoel. Ons het nie

nodig gehad om voor te gee nie. Ons kon net onsself wees. Die liefde, die vriendelikheid, die

gasvryheid, die “Ons gee om vir mekaar,” het ons onmiddelik getref. “Praat as ons met iets

kan help, onthou ons is hier vir mekaar. Soek jul „n geeentheid kerk toe, dorp toe, moet jul

dalk na die Dokter gaan?” Julle kan dit net by die kantoor gaan noem en binne oomblikke is

daar iemand wat ons lei of een by die deur om hul hulp aan te bid.

Ons is saamgenooi na die weeklikse Bybelstudie wat by die Diens Oord deur ons eie

Predikant aangebied word. Weereens is ons onmiddelik bewus van die werklikheid. Van die

teenwoordigheid van God. Sondae aande gaan ek ook na die Selgroep. Ons is maar „n klein

groepe daar maar ons leer daar om God se wëe nog beter te verstaan. Ons kan daar vertel van

dinge wat in ons lewens gebeur het, ons gebede om genade en ons kan vertel van God se

alewige genade en liefde ook aan ons bewys.

Ek was eers so skaam. Ek sou nooit aan „n vreemde persoon se deur gaan klop en dan net

eenvoudig sê: “Hello my naam is Ina en ek wil so graag vandag by jou kom tee drink. Ek wil so

graag vir jou beter leer ken.” Nooit sou ek eers so iets oorweeg nie. Hier het my masker egter

afgeval. Hier kan ek werklik wees wie ek is. Hier is ek nie skaam om te sê: “Nee ek kan glad

nie kook nie. My man is die kok in ons huis. Hy is die een wat Bak en Brou. Nee ek kan nie

brei of hekel nie. Nee ek kan glad nie naaldwerk doen nie.” My moeder het egter vir my gesê

“My kind, onthou net, God het aan ons elkeen „n gawe gegee. Ook aan jou. Jy sal nog uitvind

wat jou gawe is.”

Hier by ons aftree Oord het ek weereens besef wat my gawe in die lewe is. Ek kan weer praat.

Ek kan weer vir „n Ouer Tannie gaan kuier en net gaan gesels met haar. Ek kan haar uitvra en

ek kan luister. Want dit is wat ons ouer mense die meeste nodig het. Vir iemand om vir haar

of vir hom te sê “Praat maart Tannie. Ek luister graag. Ek luister graag Omie”. Hier kan ek na

„n foto stap en heel op my gemak vra. “Dit is so pragtig, is dit Tannie se kleinkinders?”

Ja, my masker het inderdaad afgeval om nooit weer op te sit nie. Hier is dit nie nodig om agter

„n masker weg te kruip nie. Hier kan ek wees wie ek is.

Die Masker Het Af Geval Deur Ina Roux

I would rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I am not.-Kurt Cobain 1969-1994

Kurt Cobain is a personal role model of mine even though we have nothing in common

otherwise we at least have this in common both of us are strong believers in individualism over

following the status quo.

I believe that if one wants to be truly free, one has to take of the mask one holds for the world

and start to show the real you for that's why you were born into this world, imagine if

everybody were the same, dressed the same looked the same that would've been one boring

world wouldn't it but fortunately that's where individualism comes in and we don't have to put

up a mask of I am just like everybody else

You're not and you will never be someone else, be the best you, you can be.

Why do we hide ourselves behind a mask of conformity when we weren't born to conform

but to stand out.

Imagine if Thomas Edison had conformed to the opinion people had of him and remained

behind the mask of dyslexia they placed upon him yes, you read right the guy who invented

the light bulb couldn't read or write yet he created the light bulb and to be honest if he had

conformed the world would still be a very dark place wouldn't it?"

The consequences of staying behind the mask of conformity

To take of the mask and be true to yourself takes courage but it is worth it for in the end it is a

road to inner peace. but on the other hand if one chose to keep wearing the mask, t he

consequences would be most dire.

1. Depression

2. Feeling of being unfulfilled

3. self loathing

4. never reach your full potential

5. No inner peace

The few things I've mentioned are but the tip of the ice berg, Just think how sad it would be

never to reach your full potential due to the fact that you were to afraid to take of that mask.,

Think of how miserable one must feel not to full fill your life dreams because of fear of what

other people might say.

Letting The Mask Fall By Brendon McCarthy

Depression is one of the major causes of suicide in the western world and to think that you can

avoid this dark cloud by simply being yourself , please note there is something called clinical

depression, but this is not what I am referring to.

How sad it is to think that somebody lived for maybe eighty years yet he never fulfilled his

dream due to fear of what other people have told him and the mask they forced upon his face.

Never reaching his full potential when he could've been a world changer, Please dear reader I

plead with you not to lead your life like this.

There is nothing worse than not experience inner peace, No wonder people are spending so

much money on self help products and psychologists. and the great irony is that inner peace

starts with a choice not by visiting a sneaky self help guru who teaches you to chant your own

reality. I f you don't make the choice to pursue inner peace you will never find it.

The consequences of Taking of the mask and being true to yourself

Just think of all the emotional rewards you'd get by choosing to be yourself unrestrained by any

mask they wish to put on you.

1. Happiness

2. Feeling of fulfillment

3. Self Love

4. Reach your full potential

5. Inner peace

So my dear reader there you have it, black on white if you wish to live a happy fullfilling life

chuck the mask and be the real you for there is no one else like you, you were born to make a

difference and stand out, not be the one standing in the corner hiding behind a mask. I agree

that not all of us are born leaders, but that doesn't give you a reason to follow blindly clinging

to the mask society put on your face.

But the choice to take off the mask is ultimately yours!!!

Glimlaggende traan,

Verborge, verberg in „n gluur.

Swart op wit masker,

Op – elke uur.

Glimlaggend stralend,

Glinsterende traan.

Verborge geheime,

Stilswyende baan.

Harnas gevange,

In die lug hang.

Spartelend, weerloos,

Tot iemand hom vang.

Sirkus gedrewe,

Skare wat lag.

Geverfde blou trane,

Dis wat hy voor wag.

Laatnag se duister,

„n Kyk na beton.

„n Uitkoms belowe,

As dit net kon.

Gluur in die verte,

Horison pienk.

Sit terug die masker,

Verf hom weer pienk.

Harlekyn trane,

Harlekyn lag,

Harlekyn stemme,

Harlekyn... Wag...

© Jaygé Carstens

Harlekyn Gedigte Hoekie

Die voorblad van die koerant op die tafel vang Frieda se oog. "Marlien

de Kat en haar man Stefan de Kat staan op skei!"

Verder as dit, kan Frieda nie lees nie, want die trane in haar oë maak

haar blind.

Sy het nog altyd gedink sy en Roberto is gelukkig....

Sy staar na die groot berge voor haar. Die Kaap is bekend met al sy

stories, van ridders en helde wat vrouens op hul hande gedra het.

Frieda kan nie help om te wonder of sy dalk in die verkeerde tyd leef

nie. Waarom veg Roberto dan nie vir haar nie?

Sy dink aan die maskers wat mense na danse toe gedra het en hoe opwindend dis moes wees

om nie te weet met wie jy dans nie.

Dit tref haar soos n skok toe sy besef dat sy ook met n man met n masker haar hele lewe deur

gedans het. Sy beloftes was leeg en sy hart swart. Hy het haar laasnag mooi laat verstaan dat sy

hom moet laat gaan en dat sy nie in sy pad moet staan, hy wil vry wees en doen wat hy wil.

Hy het die meisie van sy drome ontmoet, met amper n masker wat lyk soos syne. Hulle dans

op die dansvloer van hel en die vreemde meisie wat nog vreemd is vir Frieda dans beslis op

warm kole.

Sy verstaan nie hoekom hy die meisie moes kies bo haar nie.

Is die meisie vir hom dan mooier, of het sy dalk n beter persoonlikheid?

Nog n vraag wat haar pla, hoe lank sien hulle al mekaar?

Vir die neutrale stel oë lyk leuens soms na die waarheid, terwyl die duiwel sterk in die prentjie

staan om dit wat mooi en edel is tot niet te maak.

Net sodat hy vir aandag kan kwalifiseer.

Die meisie met die masker se intensies sal sy seker nooit weet nie, maar sy kan haar vergewe

deur Jesus se krag.

Roberto het self sy pad gekies deur dit te verwerp wat heilig is. Wat is ñ huwelik dan anders?

Hy kan maar sy koers gaan volg in Kaapstad se hoofweg.

Marlien loop na haar tante se huis, sy gaan geld leen om ñ nuwe begin te maak.

Oppad soontoe sien sy plakkers in winkel vensters oor meisies wat mooi lywe atverteer.

Dit stuur n boodskap van wat aanvaarbaar is in hierdie wêreld.

Is dit nie maar ook net nog ñ masker wat koggel nie?

By haar tante se huis word sy vriendelik verwelkom. Haar tante is gretig om vir haar geld te

leen sodat sy kan weggaan.

Dis toe Frieda groet om te loop wat sy die foto teen die muur sien. Dis sy, die een wie nou in

haar plek staan! Wie sy is weet Frieda nogsteeds nie en hoekom haar foto teen haar tante se

muur hang, weet sy ook nie , maar sy gaan nie in sak en as gaan sit en daaroor tob nie! Sy gaan

haar lewe in die oë kyk en hulle vergewe. Haar hart is seer en alles wat vir haar bekend was

tuimel inmekaar, dit kan nie anders nie, almal wat sy in haar vertroue geneem het, is bedrieers.

Dis ñ openbaring wat nie maklik verwerk kan word as mens dit uit jou eie krag wil verwerk nie.

Sy het wel n geheim wat haar deur sulke tye dra, met haar fokus op God kan sy deur Sy krag

die stryd oorwin. Met n seer hart groet sy haar tante.

Sy kan tenspyte van alles hulle met seënwense groet.

Die Masker Se Koggel Deur Lizl Prinsloo

"Deur die liefde van die Here het ons nie vergaan nie, daar is geen einde aan Sy ontferming

nie, dit is elke more nuut. U trou is groot."

Klaagliedere 3:22,23

Deur dat sy hulle vergewe het spreek God haar vry en n nuwe lewe wag met mense en hul

maskers wat ook kan koggel, maar die keer weet sy van beter. Sy het dit wat haar verhoed om

weer lief te he, agter gelaat.

God se liefde is elke dag nuut, daarom kan sy die dag van more nuut begin.

Dis n maand later wat Roberto angstig by Frieda se tante wou uitvind, waar sy is en dis met n

gebroke hart wat hy die nuus moes aanhoor dat sy weg is, die nag van sy verraad. Die nag toe

hy vasgekyk het in ñ masker waarvan hy geen benul gehad het wat daar agter skuil. Sy optrede

was onaanvaarbaar en tog het hy gedink hy gaan daarmee wegkom.

Dis ook toe dat hy dieper dink en besef Frieda het met hom haar hart en siel gedeel en hy het

die een persoon wat werklik vir hom omgegee het, uit sy lewe verdryf.

Are we wearing masks or are we just being „socially appropriate‟?

Have you come to notice how you can act and re-act differently in any given situation? Ever

wondered why it is that we can and or will act differently when for example we are in the

company of our parents in comparison to being in the company of friends, bosses, strangers,

love of your life, and so forth.

Notice that I have made use of the word „act‟ and not „behave‟ in the proposed questions.

Reason being, is that the different behaviour being expressed is acting. We can call this „acting‟

as masks we are wearing for the different situations and more correctly we can speak of them

as being „social masks‟. We do mask wearing for different reasons and the decisions and

reasons for doing so are subjective to every one of us. The question now would be why we are

doing this?

Masks are prescribed behavioural patterns, which guides our behaviour in a given situation.

Take for example our social role as a friend when socialising with peers. We have a definition

and understanding, subjective as it might be, of what it is to be a friend. We know that we have

to support and love for example and display these particular qualities as expected. Notice the

words display and expected! Every mask we choose to wear has these expected behavioural

rules which we must display (prescribed behaviour).

Why would we choose to do so? We all have various answers to this question and from a

psychological perspective we can find some more insight to elaborate our answers, and who

knows, maybe reveal some important aspects of ourselves in the understanding of our

cognitive functioning.

One reason why, and definitely not the only, we are wearing Masks, is for survival purposes.

We have learnt to behave in a certain way for a certain social setting. According to Maslow, we

all have the biological and physiological need for food, shelter, love, and acceptance. To

satisfy, for example, the biological need for food and shelter we understand that we have to

work and display behaviour, for instance, like showing respect to a boss, integrity, and

punctuality. We surely cannot be the same person at work as we are at home in many cases.

We know that, for example, our week-end Jeans and takkies will not be the appropriate dress

code for work. Thus, we display behaviour which is in accordance with the social situation we

find ourselves in.

We are supremely social creatures and a lot of our happiness depends on the quality of our

relationships with others. We want to be loved, respected, and accepted by others. When we

know that certain behaviour is frowned upon by a significant other, we will avoid displaying the

behaviour so as to not maybe feel rejected.

Inspired Psychology By Antonelia Willms

Masks encompass learnt behaviour and acquired skills. Acquired skills for it can be learnt by

observation, then tried, and reshaped to what works for us. The problem we might find with

wearing masks is that we can fabricate a non-existent reality of the self. We might want to do

so, to stay clear of judgement, and allow others to see what they want to see. We might want to

hide our wishes, needs, desires, and values which might be in contrast to that of others and

blend in. Through the process of conditioning we can come to believe that our behaviour is

true to our self-concept (while it might not be) of who we are, and in turn, can cause cognitive

dissonances (among other difficulties) within the self, later on in life.

Wearing masks is an every moment and everyday occurrence for all of us in a need to be

„socially appropriate‟. We behave with an intention and have a goal for the specific behaviour

we display. What we should evaluate is the reason for the specific mask and whether it has

harmful consequences for ourselves and or for others.

„n Kleurvolle knoppie

Bewaar „n geheimenis.

Die egnima van tyd

Vereis geduld

Terwyl die misterieuse skoonheid

Karakter opbou

Tere gevoude blaartjies

Is die streng erewag

Om die skat te beskerm

Terwyl die son se strale

Getrou die saadjie voed

En die hemelse gister

Getrou versorg

Breek die onverwagte verrassing oop

Perfek gevorm

Die klassieke skoonheid

Soos tyd meer respek betoon word

Stel die skat meer skoonheid bloot

Tot die tere blare „n geurige tapyt vorm

En kans gee vir nog „n misterieuse wonder...

© Emetia Heck

Die Roos Gedigte Hoekie

Almal van Cher, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga en selfs Madonna is al in die openbaar en selfs op

die verhoog gesin met „n masker op die oë, en as gevolg daarvan het maskers ook „n groot

impak op die mode gemaak in die afgelope paar jaar.

Dit stop egter nie met die tipe phantom of the opera maskers wat ons almal ken nie. Sekere

maskers word soos grimering op geverf en ander is niks meer as „n stukkie lap wat oor die oë

vasgemaak is nie. Wat okal die geval het die era van misterie en maskers weer in ons hede

kom nesmaak.

„n Masker Bal of Masker Partytjie is iets wat deesdae weer baie posvat by mense en ek dink dat

die rede daarvoor baie oor romanse ook gaan. Hierdie maand gaan ek jou vertel hoe om aan

te trek vir „n hedendaagse en modiuse masker bal.

Aandrokke en balrokke soos diegene wat Corlia Botha so graag dra is beslis nie meer in die

mode vir „n masker bal nie. Tensy jy natuurlik die tema Victoriaans maak... Die rokke en

klere van daardie eeu pas eenvoudig net nie lekker in as jy dalk „n klein masker partytjie of ete

by die huis wil gooi nie. Daar is eerstens nie altyd genoeg sitplek vir almal in daardie massiewe

rokke nie en nog minder het almal die geld om rokke soos daardie te laat maak. Bygesê is dit

in die somer net „n klein bietjie te warm hiervoor. Ek weet beslis dat ek nie braaf genoeg vir „n

swaelstert pak in hierdie hitte is nie.

Niks is meer so vreeslik formeel nie. Veral nie in vandag se lewe nie. En ons moet onthou dat

masker partytjies oor die eeue heen reeds gegaan het oor prêt om te raai wie onder die ander

masker is.

Jy kan jou masker bal heel dag gooi. In die middag is dit lekker met bont maskers en lekker

kort klere met „n lekker piekniek in die tuin. Vir „n ete kan iets meer “smart-casual”die ding

doen. En dan is daar wel die sort wat jy kostuums kan huur en mal gaan. Die groot deel van

maskers in mode is egter dat die masker jou moet verteenwoordig. Dit moet jou

persoonlikheid in dit gevange hê. Dit moet iets van jou sê wat niemand weet nie. En dit moet

natuurlik hope prêt wees!

So gaan uit, gaan kry jou masker. Hou „n lekker partytjie en onthou – mode is kuns en ware

mode is om op „n kunstige manier uit te beeld wie jy werklik is!

Lekker aantrek tot volgende maand,

Blurr L

Mode Deur Blurr L

Our inner demons have a huge effect on us; even without you knowing that they are there

dragging you down sometimes the smallest thing can cause you to be negative in so many ways

that you get thoughts of suicide. These small things can become a problem when you don‟t

deal with them in the right way.

Our inner demons can make our life complicated, it can cause you too loose the one person

you love most; for me personally my Phantom behind the mask is love…

To face your inner demons (your phantom behind the mask) can help you become a better

person or when you face your phantom and it is too big for you to handle it on your own but

your too proud to ask for help it could make you fall into the grip of the phantom behind the

mask‟s power, making you the victim of your own fears.

Let your pride not be a demon to you, never stand alone when you know there are many

people that will help you as you go on in life, but also never be afraid to ask for help even if

you think the people willing to stand with you, and willing to fight for you would think this

problem will be like a joke for them, those people willing to help you won‟t think of this

phantom‟s power as a joke.

Never let any fears or problems get in your way of happiness because nothing will have the

power over you when you are truly happy, once you‟ve faced your fear or problems you will

see that it was a small problem for you even when it looked massive at the time. Never look

back onto your problems or fears unless you have learned from them and if they made you a

better person. There is a saying in this world everything happens for a reason yet when you

hear those words you don‟t want to believe it, but if you truly see the reason for the phantom

to have power over you for some time in your life you will see that this phantom behind this

ugly mask will be the one whom will make you a stronger person in life, and you might help

someone else when they are in the same boat you were. This might help you to “save a life”

even when you don‟t realize it.

You are the only one in this life everything that happened to you good or bad led you to whom

you are today, everything can fade and with time it will but one thing will never fade away it will

“fade away” for just a short time and then it will be back hitting harder and faster and that one

thing is the phantom or demons you have to face, to become your old self again.

Even if you feel like this demon is harder to overcome remember there is always one person

whom can and will help you all you need to do is just to ask them to help you, they will find it

within their hearts the love to help you!

Remember that if you didn‟t face your demons that there will be always a tomorrow for you to

face them and to kill them, with or without the help of loved ones or friends

Also remember that this phantom in your life is only a small fiction of your imagination and

that it is nothing more than a ghost in the fog of your life and it will go away if you faced it and

overcame it by your own free will…

The Phantom Behind The Mask By Markus Abbott

Persoonlike Self-Masker,

In oorvloed om van te kan kies.

1; 2; 3; 4,

Watter een verskuil my aggressies?

Hoekom dan die veskuilde emosies?

Eerlikheid en waarheid mos die goeie medisyne.

Miskien nie passend by jou persepsies,

Kyk liewers verby –blindegeborene.

Voel wat gese moet word,

Kry seer agter jou bewuste.

Se wat gevoel moet word,

N Galg – liewers dan antidepressante.

Terugvoering aan my is verskeie,

Se, dink, doen –die als verskil.

Maar fisiologies lek jy emosie tereine,

Slim wees maar jy kan my nie verkul.

Persoonlike Self-Masker,

In oorvloed om van te kan kies.

1; 2; 3; 4,

Blok jou – kry liewers behoorlike advies.

© Antonelia Willms

Persoonlike Self Masker Gedigte Hoekie

Hierdie maand moet ons afskeid neem van „n merkwaardige vrou wat in die afgelope tyd

ongelooflike baie vir Inspirasie, sy lesers en sy skrywers beteken het.

Haar naam is Elsabé, maar hoeveel weet jy werklik van hierdie merkwaardige vrou wat

Inspirasie gelei het buiten vir die feit dat sy „n gelowige en goeie mens is? Kom ek vertel jou

meer.

Ek ken haar al my hele lewe lank. Letterlik! En in haar lewe was daar al baie lag en baie trane

ook. Vandag wil ek jou egter vertel van die tye wat „n glimlag op my gesig gebring het.

Elsabé is die skrywer van twee boeke. Een is „n memoir en die ander is „n digbundel. “By

Waters Waar Vrede Is”en “Dryfhout”het verskyn in 2010 onder haar skuilnaam Evan. Ek was

bevoorregd om op die bekendstelling te kon wees en van die begin af baie nou saam met haar

en haar boeke te kon saamwerk.

Sy is ook al meer as een keer vereer deur die Poetry Institute of Africa, wat alleenlik „n reuse

prestasie is.

Elsabé het teen 2012 reeds al drie jaar lank vir Inspirasie tydskrif geskryf en elke maand werk

gelewer wat mense nie net reg oor Suid-Afrika nie, maar soms reg oor die wêreld geraak het.

Kort voor lank het sy nie net een artikel per maand gedoen nie, maar soms twee tot drie ekstra

onder „n skuilnaam. Saam me dit het sy haar gedigte vrygestel vir gebruik in Inspirasie en daar

het selfs van haar kortverhale deur die tyd in Inspirasie verskyn. Ywerig was sy en het sy die

een na die ander skrywer ook ingetrek by Inspirasie om saam met ons te werk om Inspirasie in

die lewe en wêreld uit te dra.

Elsabé was dus die perfekte persoon om Inspirasie oor te neem op die tyd wat die stigter

besluit het om te bedank en „n sabbat te neem. Elsabé is in die diep kant ingegooi, maar sy het

geswem en aangehou om die tydskrif elke maand, soms onder moeilike omstandighede uit te

bring.

Die November 2013 uitgawe van Inspirasie het ook haar laaste uitgawe gemerk. Elsabé het

vroeg in Desember 2013 bedank om meer werk in haar eie geskryfwerk en spiritualiteit in te

sit.

Vandag wil ons graag baie dankie sê vir Elsabé. Dankie dat jy Inspirasie gedra het en dankie vir

die Inspirasie wat jy aan ons almal gegee het. Mag die tyd wat jy as redaktrise van hierdie

tydskrif gestaan het altyd bekendstaan as die Elsabé-era, vol geloof, inspirasie en liefde.

Van die lesers, skrywers en die nuwe redaksie – dankie Elsabé, vir alles! Inspirasie sal altyd jou

huis ook wees! Moet jou nie te skaars hou nie en loer gereeld in. Ons gaan jou mis. Ons gaan

jou kreatiewe hande in die tydskrif mis, maar ons belowe om aan te gaan met dit wat jy in plek

gestel het vir ons. Ons sal jou nie teleurstel nie.

Al ons liefde,

Die Inspirasie Span

Elsabé van der Westhuizen Voormalige Redaktrise van Inspirasie

“Mag die Here jou veilig dra soos op arends vlerke.”

Baie voorspoed vir die toekoms!

Ons, as pentowenaars, ken die proses: „n Tema word bekend gestel en met die missie om „n

ander siel se wêreld met „n paar glimlagte te verf, kry ons die opdrag om ons inkstaffies te

neem, die verbeelding en eindelose passie in te span en voor die sperdatum „n verrassing in

ons redakteur se 'inbox' te los; wat haar kinderlik opgewonde sal laat of van haar stoel af sal

skok!

Elsabé, ons geliefde redaktrise van die afgelope paar maande, het vir n rukkie al ons

'verrassings' ontvang. Dit was haar yslike verantwoordelikheid om die finale uitleg en

afrondingswerk te doen... sodat die trotsproduk so gou as moontlik elke ywerige leser kon

bereik! Kalm bly en kophou was die enigste opsie!

Liewe redaktrise, ons bedank jou hartlik vir al jou geduld en elke liefdevolle benadering en

volgehoue skrywerspassie!

Ons wens jou „n welverdiende ruskans toe en hoop om gou weer jou goue woorde om ons te

bind.

Lekker rus... Skryfkaptein...

Elsabé van der Westhuizen Voormalige Redaktrise van Inspirasie

Maart 2012 – November 2013

Die groot dag het aan gebreek, die dag waarvoor ons so lank gewag het, die dag wat my en jou

een maak. „n ver pad het ons saam geloop „n sprokies verhaal wat waar geword het. „n prinses

vind haar prinses.

2011 Na „n riller van „n verhouding wat gelukkig net 5 maande geduur het. verhuis ek en begin

„n nuwe lewe in Kaapstad, Elke dag was „n aanpassing en my masker was party dae net nie

genoeg nie, mense na aan my kon deur dit sien. Maar my masker bly sit en na „n ruk begin tot

ek myself glo dat dit genoeg is. Maar maskers vreet aan jou, stadig maar seker verloor jy jou

siel. My familie by wie ek tuis gegaan het hier in die Kaap het my elke dag opgebeur, hul het

hul bes probeer en partykeer het dit werklikgehelp, maar soos enige person weet, net jy jou

self kan jou masker afhaal.

Werk is skaars en met „n groot gesukkel kry ek uit eindelik „n werk en besluit om in my eie

plekkie in te trek. Maar die masker bly, ek gaan werk toe en huistoe eet en slaap. „n vriendin

van my besluit dis nou genoeg en nooi my uit om te kom kuier en met „n swaar gemoed besluit

ek om te gaan, ek moet net daardie eerste stap vat. Ek geniet die aandjie en besluit maar die

volgende naweek om dit weer te doen, elke dag voel dit bietjie beter en my masker voel nie

meer so styf of dit my wil wurg nie.

Vyf maande na ek verhuis het na die Kaap ontmoet ek „n vraaie dame, „n dame wat in die

toekoms my lewe drasties laat verander en my emosienele masker laat val, maar soos die

emosionele masker val begin „n nuwe masker sy gesig wys. Die fisiese masker, die masker wat

jou gewaat moet beskerm. Die masker is nie so erg soos die emosionele ene nie maar „n

masker is „n masker. Altwee van ons werk met publiek en aangesien so baie van die mense op

straat nog baie toe oe na die wereld kyk, en die lewe van „n “gay” persoon nog steeds nie

aanvaarbaar nie, lewe ons maar soos meeste gays agter toe deure, ons word meeste van die tyd

as susters of die mees snaakste ene as ma en dogter aangesien. Die masker afekteer ons lewe

glad nie emosioneel nie, jy kom op „n stadium in jou lewe waar jy nie meer aanvaarding van

ander mense soek nie.

April 2013 Trou ons, stil en intieme troue, famielie en vriende. Maskers was daardie dag glad

nie te siene almal was hul self almal het die dag voorbaarlik vir ons spesiaal gemaak. „n jaar

later en dit voel nogsteeds soos die dag van ons ontmoeting vier jaar terug,“butterfies” in die

maag.

So as die dae jou onderdruk en voel of die masker jou wurg, vra jouself wil jy die masker saam

jou dra of is die masker net daar vir die “show”. Kyk diep in jou eie oe na jou siel en sien die

werklike persoon nie die een agter die masker.

Om Agter ‘n Masker te Lewe Deur Anna-Marie Bigaignon

I looked in the mirror and I saw a phantom

Is this my imagination??

I saw him looking over my…

Is this real??

Or is this nothing but a mind numbing game??

A phantom within my mind

Playing games and tricks on me like a demon…

I‟m to scared to turn around…

Scared he will kill me…

With his breath in my neck…

I slowly became numb…

I‟ve closed my eyes…

And got ready to strike like a cobra?

Slowly turning around…

Looking through the whole of a needle…

With a tear drop to scared to…

I see…

Nothing, nothing…

I turn to the mirror…

There he is once again the phantom

“what do you want?”

In the silence I hear a voice sweeter than honey

Telling me; give up my child…

With his power over me I‟ve became his puppet…

I‟ve became his personal play thing…

Too weak to fight…

I open my eyes…

I‟ve realized…

The phantom behind the mask;

Is nothing more than my imagination…

I‟ve realized;

I was the phantom behind that ugly mask

© Markus Abbott

The Phantom Behind The Mask Poetry Corner

'n Bloedrooi roosblaar tapyt vang Juliet se oog. Dit lei al die deftig

gekleede wegkruipers na die ingang van die saal. Deur die koets se

vensters, probeer sy iets vind om haar bonsende hart tot bedaring te

bring...

Met haar toweruitrusting en vroulike sjarme, was sy oortuig dat dit nie die hele aand sou nodig

wees om die masker te dra nie. Sagte musiek, dansende, betowerende kerslig teen die mure

het paartjies na die dansbaan gelok. Dit en die gifprentjie van paartjies wat elke omhelsing

geniet... Alles het haar aan die keel gegryp en haar hart smekend gelaat!

Skielik het n hand na haar uitgereik en haar na die dansbaan gelei. Terwyl die melodie van

liefde deur die luidsprekers gesypel het, het hierdie vreemdeling woorde met haar gevleg.

Ongemak het in haar binneshuis gewriemel ...sy't gesukkel om haar in sy menswees toe te vou!

Omdat alleenheid te lank aan haar geknaag het, het sy die noodkreet binne haar geignoreer

en... na die dans... haar masker laat sak... en sy oë probeer vind. 'Kyk in my oe, sien jy waar my

liefde vir jou wag?', was die woorde wat sy wou se, maar hy het verby haar gekyk, haar gelos en

sy oe gevestig op n ander Juliet. Haar oë het verstar, die masker het te pletter geval en sy het

uit die saal gestorm...

Maskers kom baie handig te pas veral as ons hart op die spel is. Sommige van ons is dapper

genoeg om die masker een kant te gooi en die liefde bloots aan te durf, maak nie saak of jy as

Romeo elke keer van jou perd afgestamp word sodra jy gedink het jy't jou Juliet gevind nie.

Dan is daar die harte wat wegkruipertjie speel. Hulle harte hunker na die euphoria van dit wat

ware liefde belowe. Die rowe wat hulle uit vorige pogings opgedoen het, laat hulle n tree of

twee terugstaan.

Juliet se hart het jaloers gesmeek na dit wat sy om haar gewaar het. Dit was asof die liefde om

haar soos n klein dogtertjie vir haar tong uitgesteek het en wou se: 'Jy sal dit tog nooit ervaar

nie!' Al het haar hart effens teen die idee vasgeskop, het sy haar masker laat sak na die eerste

dans. Hy het egter sy masker aangehou, min belangstelling getoon, en dadelik uitgekyk na die

volgende kwesbare teiken.

'Twee hande het die stukkende masker versigtig opgetel en huis-toe geneem. Dis afgestof en

die gebreekte plekkies is versigtig weer vasgeheg.

Nadat Juliet nog „n uitnodiging na „n maskerbal in haar posbus ontdek het, sak haar moed in

haar skoene! Die vorige ondervinding spook nog by haar... en haar masker... wie weet waar

daardie stukkies nou le?

Sy skraap haar moed bymekaar, wikkel weer in haar asemrowende towerprentjie in, maar

belowe haarself om net as buitestaander die aand te geniet.

Die Kraak In Die Masker Deur Emetia Heck

Daar's weer die vlamdans teen die muur . In „n poging om die geknaag van die hartsmusiek

aan haar te ignoreer, fokus sy op die storie teen die muur. Soos die wind deur die vensters

kruip, verander die vlamdans van tegniek... wals, 'tango' of 'intiem romanties... net die wind

ken die misterieuse antwoord!

Haar aandag word lastig onderbreek toe n toegedraaide pakkie versigtig voor haar neergeplaas

word. Sy kyk op na die gewer en merk op dat hierdie heer nie dieselfde as die vorige aand is

nie. Na stille oogkontak, wikkel haar vingers die papier van die item af. Sy's woordeloos toe „n

perfek reggemaakte masker voor haar le. Sy soek antwoorde in sy oe, maar is huiwerig om

weer haar waarheid te ontbloot.

Die vreemdeling het sy masker stadig laat sak en terwyl hulle oe stories gedeel het, het sy

opgelet dat sy masker, daar waar hy dit netjies langs hare geplaas het, ook n paar lasplekkies

gehad het ....

Behind every mask there is a story, and behind every story there are unsolved

emotions! We all have some emotions we don‟t want to share with others „cause

we might feel insecure about ourselves and or the situation, so we put on our

happy masks and we keep on pushing forward, we all have problems, problems is

what makes us human, sometimes these problems can lead you to a greater you.

We get angry at others sometimes for no reason sometimes we might not see things clear at

that moment, but if you take yourself out the situation for just one second you might end up

seeing things more clearly, to do this can be very hard I know even I struggle with this but we

are not perfect we are human. We all have our ways to deal with problems even when others

think that we are dealing with it in the wrong way, we cannot change our ways on dealing with

problems.

we need to start taking off our masks we put on and let people know whom we really are and

what we feel, this might sound cheesy but its true „cause we all hide behind masks even if you

think you know someone it all can end up being a lie, but that‟s no reason to end a friendship

or relationship, we all just need to take off the masks and live life as a free spirit.

This will be a very hard thing to do cause if you take of this mask another one will be placed in

that once place faster than the speed of light, but if you really try to fight the masks that

constantly fight their way to your face you will start feeling more and you will see much more

and just by this you will notice that you‟ve changed in more ways than you could have hoped

for. Sometimes you just need to hold on to this ride and wait for it you stop; you will be

surprised to see where you end up okay I know sometimes the ride can take long but sit back

relax and wait for the end of the ride.

Who of us can really be honest and say that there are no masks on our faces I believe no one

can say that, because from time to time we all tell a white lie and that‟s just another mask you

put on, sometimes a small white lie can make your life complicated even when it seems

harmless at that time.

We all say that we will change when things goes wrong, this is one thing I really don‟t believe in

people anymore because they always change for the worst, never for the better, we all said this

before and we all changed for the worst but sometimes this change for the worst can be your

best friend this might sound strange but it‟s true, because in the worst time of your life you will

see whom will stay and never go those are the people you should never let go.

Our masks we put on can be dangerous it can change you and that mask might just come your

new face forcing the people you love to go away and we all know that once we have lost a

friend or loved one because of a mask its highly impossible to regain their trust and love but

yet it is possible to gain it again but their trust in you will be broken in you forever more and

you will feel like a prisoner of your war in life

Masks of Life By Markus Abbott

Behind a mask, hidden away

Memories slowly fading to gray

A smile you wear on your face,

But everyday thinking, where is my place?

The world is cruel, dark and deep

And through the cracks your tears start to seep

Your blood drips down onto the floor,

Because behind that mask your heart is sore

A fake smile, a lonely tear in your eye

Hoping someone notices before you die

Hiding behind that closed door

Secretly wishing, hoping for more

Through the shadows you slowly creep

Waiting to take that flying leap

A cage, a mask, slowly dying

But one thing you will never do is to stop trying

A Hope, a glint, just passing by

Stopping the tears, you don‟t want to cry

The door is opening as you realize your fate

Hoping and praying that‟s it‟s not too late

The dark is fading; it‟s the end of the night

The light is rising, bringing hope in sight

The mask is falling, you bury your sorrow

With the light comes a new tomorrow

The mask is falling away as it should

But you always believed it never could

Breaking into pieces, your mask finally dies

As smiling you look up in the sky

© Mar Fiero

Behind The Mask Poetry Corner

Elke dag bring nuwe uitdagings, elke oomblik besluite wat jou kan maak of breek. Ek het al

voor baie moeilike keuses testaan gekom. Diepe hartsee, teleurstelling en pyn het al deel

uitgemaak van my lewe, maar ek weet ook so seker soos storms moet uitwoed sal die son weer

skyn in „n mens se lewe. Ek is van „n klein plattelandse dorpie waar bykans almal mekaar ken

en tog bly ons vreemdelinge vir mekaar. Almal het maskers, hul eie bagasie en storie. Ek is

Amanda Wagenaar, en wat ek skryf is „n refleksie van myself. „n Kykie in my siel. Al gaan ons

deur wat; mense dit wat ons voel is nie so verskillend. Masker of nie wees jouself. „n

Oorspronklike was nogaltyd beter as n replika.

***

Somtyds voel jy, jy kan nie arriveer by elke situasie in jou lewe as jouself. Die onsigbare

maskers wat ons dra, en wat ons baie tye vlerke gee om vry te voel is dan geskik. Die lewe is

vol stampe en stote, en ja „n mens gaan nie altyd aanvaar word deur almal. Veral wanneer jy

seerkry en jy jouself weer moet vind kom jou onsigbare masker goed te pas. Hoeveel keer het

jy nie al jou beste voet voorgesit en die wêreld begroet met „n glimlag terwyl jy besig was om

innerlik „n stryd te stry nie? Helaas het ons onsigbare maskers weer tot ons redding gekom.

Almal is is nie ewe sterk teen die aanslae van die lewe nie. Dit is waar maskers inkom.

Maak nie saak wat, hou altyd die blink kant bo, en sit jou masker van selfvertroue op. Die

masker maak die voël. Maak seker die beeld wat jy skep, is „n refleksie van jouself. Die masker

gaan eintlik oor jou liefde vir jouself. Wees goed vir jouself, en met of sonder jou masker

maak jou lewe jou eie. Dit kom daarop af wat jy uitstuur sal weer terugkom na jou. „n Mens se

masker moet eg wees al het dit krake, en dit moet jou eie wees. Niemand anders se masker

gaan jou pas, al is joune nie perfek sal dit jou eie wees en pragtig is hul onperfektheid. Liefde

gaan nie altyd oor ander maar oor jouself. Dit begin by jou denke, jou keuses, jou siening van

jou as mens. Die lewe bring seisoene, storms wat moet uitwoed, getye wat moet draai en

verandering bring. Dit verander ons as mense.

Dit bring my tot die besef dat al kom en gaan tyd, en deel die lewe ons ook wat, ons gaan deur

dit kom met die genade van „n lewende God wat ons toegerus het met die nodig dinge soos „n

onsigbare masker wat ons help om die lewe elke dag in die gesig te staar en leef.

Die Masker Maak Die Voël Deur Amanda Wagenaar

Die mure is met diep robyn rooi sy oorgetrek en goue stoele staan in gelid

langs teen die kante. Die Goue en Kristal kandelare weerkaats die juweel

kleure van die mense wat onder hulle verby beweeg. Brokaat swaar versier

met juwele, satyn wat skyn in sy helder kleure, fluveel so sysag dat jy jou

hand oor dit wil vryf. Juweel te kies en te keur. Die dames se hare hoog

gerangskik met skitterende kammetjies. Die here met skerp wit hemde,

swaar brokaat onderbaadjies en deftige baadjies, mansjetknope en skoene

waarin jy die kandelare kan sien.

Die musikante speel nog sysag in die agtergrond, die dirigent tree na vore en die balsaal raak

heeltemal stil. Die mans beweeg na die dame wat sy oog gevang het en buig lag, sy gee haar

regterhand en hulle beweeg na die middel van die saal. Die dansers kom byeen in „n sirkel.

Die dames draai na regterkant en die mans na die linkerkant. Elkeen buig lag na mekaar en

gee mekaar die linkerhand. Die musiek begin en jy hoor die sagte sweep van die satyn soos die

dames draai en jy sien die kandelare weerkaats in die blink maskers wat die bokant van hulle

gesigte bedek.

Ek dink die mense van die vorige eeue kon die misterie en die romance van maskers baie

goed gebruik. Die romance van wie nou eintlik oorkant jou staan, kan jy aan hulle stem hulle

erken? Is dit nou Juliet of is dit Victoria? Is dit die vors hertog of die deftige kolonel? Die

misterie van „n masker is so romanties en jy wil amper fluister, dit moet nou seker die held

wees of daardie een die heldin. Jy wil self die pragtige kleure aantrek, die juwele om jou nek

draper en die geheimsinnige masker op jou gesig sit. Om te kan beweeg tussen mense en hulle

weet nie wie jy regtig is nie, om iemand anders te wees vir daardie paar ure tot die horlosie 12

slaan en al die maskers afkom. Dan sien jy regtig wie agter die masker skuil. Was dit regtig die

meisie van jou drome? Was dit die man wat jou hart vinniger laat klop het? Nadat jy die laaste

paar ure gedans het met die persoon oorkant jou, is hulle wie jy regtig gedink het hulle gaan

wees?

Vandag se dae is dinge anders. Ons het ander kleure, party nog baie meer flamboyant as

daardie van destyds. Dink net aan die eina klein bikini‟s, die thempde met die slagspeuke,

broeke met gate hier en daar, skoene so hoog jy wonder of iemand „n flamink moet wees om

daarop te kan balanseer. Party mense dra die heel minste om die nodigste te bedel. Sjoe

broekies wat sukkel om als binne te hou en jeans wat so styf span dat die kleinste beweeging

dalk sy laaste gaan wees. Ander wil klere dra wat hulle „n status verleen, net sekere name mag

gedra word, Reebok, Puma, Chanel, noem maar op. Die naam van die rok, die maak van die

skoene is baie meer werd as enige iets anders in hulle lewe. Hulle kan leef in „n pandok maar

die naam van die item wat hulle dra met korrek wees, maak nie saak die prys wat daarvoor

betaal moet word nie. Dan kry jy die persoon wat nie buite die huis waag sonder grimmering

aan, naels gedoen, hare gedoen, rokkie perfek gestryk,

handsakkie wat mooi by die skoene pas. Niemand mag hulle sien sonder hulle „makeup‟

Toe Ek My Masker Opsit Deur Willene Venter

nie. Die laaste een wat jy kry en hulle is so skaars soos hoender tande, dit is die „plain‟ plat op

die aarde mens. Die persoon wat dol gelukkig is om in jeans en „n themp die strate in te vaar.

Wat nie omgee as die jeans nog ongestryk is nie, nog minder dat die tekkies op die voete baie

beter dae gesien het nie. Dit is mense wat jy geniet om tyd te verwyl met, want hulle wil tyd

saam met jou deurbring. Hulle is nie veel gepla deur die doen en late van ander nie, maar

geniet elke persoon op hulle pad met hulle hele hart. Sonderlinge mense die. Jy soek baie

hard om hulle te vind.

Eintlik as jy daaraan dink het ons meer maskers as eeue gelede. Ons sit hulle net nie op ons

gesigte nie maar liewers aan ons lywe en aan ons lewens. Jy kan jou herkoms verander deur jou

familie nooit naby jou te laat kom nie. Niemand sou weet wie of waar jy nou eintlik vandaan

kom nie. Jy kan wegtrek na nuwe stede toe, jou naam verander deur die hof, jy kan jou foon

nommers verander, jou werk verander. Jy kan as ter ware heeltemal verdwyn as jy wil en

jouself heeltemal herskep na die persoon wat jy dink jy wil wees. Jy kan nuwe vriende maak en

mense wie jou ken heeltemal vermy. Dit vat seker „n biedjie tyd en geld maar jy kan werklik

jouself en jou lewe agter „n masker sit sodat niemand ooit hoef uit te vind wie jy regtig is nie. Jy

hoef nooit teen middernag die masker af te haal nie. Dit kan daar bly sit solank as wat jy regtig

wil en niemand hoef ooit te weet nie. Het jy al ooit gedink om so iets aan te vang. Net „poof‟ te

verdwyn en heeltemal jouself te verander in dit wat jy dalk voel jy verdien te wees. Ons doen

dit onbewustelik alreeds. Daardie persoon wat jou so verleë maak om saam gesien te word, wat

as mense dink jy is nou eintlik vriende met hulle, liefs nie. So jy sal voor hulle voorgee jy is

vriendelik maar hemel behoed hulle nooi na jou huis toe waar ander sou sien hulle is jou

vriende. Of die familie lid wat jy teen alle koste weg hou van jou huis af. Asseblief niemand

moet weet die persoon is deel van jou familie nie. Jy sal enige ander persoon in jou familie

oornooi maar sal seker maak die lede wat jy jouself oor skaam betree nooit jou huis nie. Wat

van by jou werk? Die persoon wie jy by die werk is, is dit om die indruk te skep jy is iemand

anders? Of jou skaar by mense wat jy weet jou sal bevoordeel? Wat van jou vriende? Laat jy

net mense binne jou vriende kring wie jy dink dit verdien na gelang van hulle status, beursie of

familie? Wat laat jou onmiddelik mure opsit?

Die maskers loop diep en ons almal trek hulle aan op een of ander manier. Jy dink nie eens

daaraan nie. Dis al tweede natuur. Maar terwyl daardie masker daar sit, terwyl jou ware gesig

verberg word, is jou lewe eintlik net „n verhaal wat jy skryf om mense en dinge weg te hou. Jy

kan agter baie goed skuil, maar tog iewers begin die leegheid van die masker jou inhaal, die

vriende wat nooit langs jou gaan staan as hulle jou werklik ken nie, die skyn en blink wat eintlik

geen goud of silwer bevat nie. Die wêreld van plastiek en van name, nie een wat jy eintlik is

nie. Waar het die dag begin dat jy die masker opgetel het en vir die eerste keer aangetrek het?

Wat verhoed jou om dit af te haal? Al sou die horlosie 12 uur slaan, kan jy daardie masker

maar dra. Nou wonder ek hier by myself, watter makliker en mooier wêreld sou dit nie wees,

as ons nooit hoef te wonder wie oorkant ons staan en watter masker hulle dra nie.

A tragic car accident will forever change the Keller family. The driver, fifteen-

year-old Levon Keller, survives, though his parents blame him for the death of

his older brother, star athlete and golden child, David. As the already fragile

family mourns while trying to move on, guilt-ridden Levon finds himself lost

between the memory of his brother and the constant attention his younger sister

required with her rare genetic disease.

When the beautiful and unpredictable teenager Lucy Bell moves in next door, Levon finds a

special friend – one capable of providing salvation and true insight. Their friendship leads the

reader on a journey that reveals family secrets and painful truths, culminating in an

astonishingly suspenseful realization: when it comes to family, nothing is as it seems.

Compelling and rife with raw emotion, The Mourning After captures the essence of a family in

crisis and recovery. It stings with the power of human spirit.

The Mourning After by Rochelle B. Weinstein

Well, I am happy to say that I have a signed copy of this book, and since the moment I

received it I couldn‟t wait to finish the book I was currently reading just so that I can start The Mourning After. The cover is simple, yet captivating. It immediately catches your eye and I just love it when a

book does that! I like the way the candle is the only colour on the cover. The cover is

practically screaming “READ ME!” and of course, you should read it! The blurb on the back

makes you so curious to find out what‟s inside, you just can‟t resist it!

Now, onto what is beneath the cover!

I absolutely loved this book! The writing style is great and the book is very well written! The

characters feel so real, the situations in the book are things that really do happen in life and

that makes you feel like you are part of the story, right there beside the characters. When you

read it you are transported into the book, into another city, another life. You feel like you

know the characters personally, and when they go through emotions, so do you. Rochelle did a

great job with this book and as you read you can see and feel all the time, research and effort

she put into it.

The book plays off in Miami Beach, Florida, in the timeline of 2007 and 2008, which makes it

so much more familiar and you get those moments of “I know that song!”and “I love that

show!” and that makes the book so much more enjoyable!

I could see the story so clearly in my head while I read it, it played like a movie in front of my

eyes and I honestly think this book would make a fantastic movie, too!

The characters and stories of Levon and Lucy are two teenagers who are very different from

each other, both are going through a very difficult time, but they end up having a wonderful

friendship.

I was sad when I finished it because I wanted it to go on and on, but I loved it! I just couldn‟t

put it down!

This book is great from cover to cover and everything in-between!!!!

I really enjoyed this book and I definitely recommend it!

The Mourning After is a great story about real life situations, reality, friendship and family.

I give The Mourning After an honest and fabulous 4.5 Stars!!!!!!!

The Mourning After Book Review

Before reading The Mourning After and Rochelle‟s first novel, What

We Leave Behind, I had only briefly communicated with her through

emails, and then after I read it I decided to do a review, and after a little

more thought, an interview. So I quickly got back on my email and

started corresponding with her again.

Rochelle was great and immediately said yes!

We had so much fun conducting this interview, sending emails back and forth, discussing the

book and the interview and we learned that we have a lot in common!

In this interview you will find some fun questions, serious ones, and you will get to learn a few

interesting facts about Rochelle.

So, before I go on and on, I will let you get to the interview, and I hope you enjoy it as much

as I did!

***

1. This is something everyone always wants to know; what inspired you to start writing?

Writing has always served as a therapeutic way for me to express myself. An avid

journal writer most of my life, I loved the feel of pen on paper… an empty slate ready

to be filled. When I abandoned the journals later in life, I sat down instead to create

fiction. There were meaningful lessons I wished to impact on the world. My writing has

now become a vehicle for mixing relevant themes in fictional settings.

2. Where did the inspiration come from to write The Mourning After? Was there

something specific that triggered the writing process?

The Mourning After is my second novel. The first was a beautiful love story, and for

number two I wanted to write a family drama with themes of loss, forgiveness and

hope. The family dynamic always provides interesting insights, which all can relate.

Further, my brother in law is the world‟s leading research expert on a rare genetic

disorder in children, Glycogen Storage Disease, and by using the novel as a vehicle for

awareness; I thread the strands of the disease through one of the secondary characters.

50% of the books proceeds go towards GSD research.

3. You put so much research and effort into this book, now I‟m wondering; how long did

it take you to write The Mourning After?

The Mourning After took nine months to write. The real work begins when the first

draft is complete. The editing process can take months or years. Ask any author and

they will tell you their work is never done. At some point, you simply have to let your

baby go.

4. In The Mourning After, the character Lucy Bell follows lots of “rules”, some from the

book Life‟s Little Instruction Book by H Jackson Brown, Jr. Do you follow any life

rules? If so, which are your favorite rules?

12 Questions With Rochelle B Weinstein

Great question! Though I don‟t have mine numbered and memorized as Lucy does,

they are certainly inscribed within me and the way I live my life. They are:

You don‟t have to like everyone, but you must show respect to everyone.

Pay it forward

Be a good listener

Tell the people you love how much they mean to you (often).

5. I have noticed that lots of author have a type of ritual they do while writing. Some listen

to a certain playlist on loop, others have to be wearing their favorite shirt or lucky

sweats, some even have to have certain food nearby while writing. Did you have a

certain ritual while writing The Mourning After?

I can write anywhere while wearing anything. I can‟t listen to music, though I am able

to drown out a room filled with people while writing. Twizzler bites must be nearby. If

they are not within arm‟s reach I am incapable of creative thought.

6. I am sure lots of people are wondering how many books do you currently have

published and are you currently working on any more books?

As I mentioned above, The Mourning After is my second novel. I am currently

working on my third novel, tentatively named LAKE COFFEY, it is based in the

mountains of North Carolina and follows the impact of mental illness on a marriage.

Another gripping love story, it will have you hooked on the first page!

7. This is a hard one for lots of people, and being an author you are good with words, so

let‟s see how you describe yourself using five words.

You stumped me!

Best. Up. And. Coming, Author.

Okay, really…..

Intense. Thoughtful. Loyal. Sensitive. Complicated.

8. There‟s always that one place you wish you could just disappear to, so if you could live

anywhere in the world, where would you live and why?

As cliché as it might sound, my favorite place is with my husband, our twin sons, and

our two yappy dogs. Wherever we are, as long as we are together, I am happy and at

peace. But if I were forced to escape, Tahiti sounds lovely.

9. Little girls dream of being Princesses, Teenage girls dream of being famous pop stars,

what was your dream job?

Lucky for me, I lived my dream job in the 90‟s! I answered an ad in the Miami Herald

which landed me a cushy position at The Box Music Network, an interactive music

channel based on sunny South Beach. The music industry was booming at the time

and our network was cutting edge. My boss and I handled all the advertising,

marketing, and promotions for every record label in the country on the network. I

don‟t name drop, but my kids and their friends would think I was very cool had they

met me back them. And while The Box was a dream job for anyone in their twenties, I

am happy to say I continue to live my dream job through writing meaningful books.

I‟ve been blessed

10. This is a question that is always fun to ask, and everybody has one, so who is your

celebrity crush?

Oh, I have a few. They are role specific. Andy Garcia in When A Man Loves A

Woman, Richard Gere in Pretty Woman, Kyle Chandler in Friday Night Lights, Adam

Sandler in Spanglish and Tony Goldwyn in Scandal. Tony Goldwyn in Ghost I did not

crush on!

11. This one always brings forth very interesting answers and tells a lot about a person. If

you could invite any 3 people, dead or alive, over for dinner, who would it be, what

would you serve and what would you talk about?

My deceased Mother; she left us too soon and I have so many questions I need to ask

her.

John F. Kennedy Jr. He had so much ahead of him. I would love to know what his

dreams were. The mix of politics and Camelot intrigues me.

Anne Frank. I would love to tell her how brave she was in the face of adversity.

What would I serve? I would have Il Migliore, our local Italian neighborhood trattoria,

deliver.

12. For the last question I want to bring in the theme for this month‟s issue: The Masked

Ball. So I‟m very curious: If you were at a Masquerade Ball, all dressed up and looking

gorgeous, no pumpkins around , just enjoying the night, nobody recognizes you with

your mask on, and you had to kiss someone as the clock strikes twelve, who would you

kiss?

***

Looking gorgeous… you‟re kind.

If my husband and kids weren‟t present….

Bill Clinton.

Well, that was fun! And I must admit, some of these answers had me laughing!

Rochelle is a great author, and through this interview we learned that she is also a great

person!

I would also just like to thank Rochelle for being so warm and friendly and allowing us

to get to know her better! She was truly great, and I am very happy that I know her and

have had the pleasure of corresponding with her!

I really enjoyed doing this interview, and I will definitely be following Rochelle through

her career and buying all her books, because it is worth it! And you should definitely

be checking out all her books too!

You can visit Rochelle at her website - www.rochelleweinstein.com

My naam is Natasha Reineke en van hierdie maand af is ek so trots om deel te wees van die

Inspirasie span! Hier gaan ek elke maand iets kunstig vir elke leser wys wat hulle self kan

maak. Kuns is immers „n vorm van terapie!

Hierdie maand wys ek almal hoe om unieke maskers te maak – net reg vir daardie masker bal

wat jy dalk vir „n verjaarsdag of sommer net „n lekker kuier beplan.

So doen ons dit:

Benodighede:

1. Dik plastiek

2. “Template” van „n masker

3. Swart acrylic verf

4. Glitter verf in die kleur van jou keuse

5. „n Sponsie

6. „n Fyn kwassie

7. Skêr

8. Wasgoed pennetjies

9. “Rhinestones”

Stap 1

Sit die plastiek bo-oor die “template” van jou masker en hou geheg aan mekaar met die

wasgoed pennetjies. Maak seker jy werk op koerant papier!

Stap 2

Gebruik nou jou fyn kwassie en swart verf op die lyne van die masker. As jy oor die lyne gaan,

moenie stress nie. Kuns is nooit perfek nie. Dis uniek!

So Doen Ons Dit: Deur Natasha Reineke

Stap 3

Laat oornag droog word. Nou kan jy begin om die glitter verf met die sponsie op te sit. Moenie

dit op vryf nie, want dit maak lyne. Druk dit eerder op. Ek het twee lae op gesit. Maak seker

dit is droog tussen elke lag.

Dit is hoe dit lyk as dit droog is:

Stap 4

Knip nou jou masker uit. Ek het nie myne orals op die lyntjies uitgeknip nie, want die fyn

puntjies krul da nom.

Stap 5

Begin nou om jou masker te versier. Jy kan jou verbeelding gebruik. Ek het net “clear

rhinestones” gebruik, maar jy kan gebruik net wat by jou pas!

Stap 6

Draai nou jou masker om en plat die linte vas. Maak natuurlik baie seker dat alles droog is

voordat jy dit omdraai!

Stap 7

Siedaar! Nou het jy jou eie unieke en selfgemaakte masker wat jy vir enige geleentheid kan dra!

Wenke:

1. Ek sal aanraai om die F6000 of E6000 Craft Glue te gebruik. Hy plak omtrent enige

iets aan mekaar vas.

2. Verf van links na regs, anders is jou arm en hand vol verf!

3. Indien jy ander gom vir jou rhinestones se vasplak gebruik en dit raak vaal, smeer net

„n bietjie kleurlose naellak aan. Dit laat blink dit weer mooi! (Dankie ma vir daardie

wenk!)

4. Maak seker die masker is die regte grote voordat jy begin. Meet en pas tot hy die regte

grote is!

Masks are something that is everywhere. You get physical masks, and then you get emotional

masks. Everybody wears a mask, but no two are the same. But just like everything else, it started

somewhere.

You get Venetian masks, Victorian, Wooden, Porcelain, Medical, Decorative; the list goes on

and on. But where did it all start?

Archaeologists have been asking the same question for years, and they still don‟t have a 100% correct

answer. People still don‟t even know where the word „Mask‟ originally came from. There is so many

different theories, languages and cultures where it could come from, but since masks have been here

for millions of years it‟s hard to recover all of the right information.

Years ago, masks were most often used in cultures, and have since become a bigger part of

entertainment and parties.

The use of why masks were originally invented is also unclear. There are myths that say masks were

first made to be worn by the Gods that roamed the earth, and to signify power, and then later the

people started using it to disguise and protect themselves from the Gods.

Not all known cultures have used masks, but most of them have used it at some point.

Through history and up until today masks have many different uses. It is used in cultures, as

decorations, for entertainment, hunting, wars, disguise, protection, and even storytelling. Throughout

Europe there are still debates raging about why mask were originally made. Some saying that the act of

masking was begun as a mask was placed on the sinners and evil members of the tribe, while others say

the meaning runs deeper and some even say it was started purely as entertainment.

Some cultures use masks for very different reasons. For instance, in West Africa, masks are mostly

used in religious ceremonies to communicate with spirits or ancestors, while in New Orleans in the

USA, masking in also a common future of the Mardi Gras traditions, and the laws against wearing

masks to conceals one‟s identity with a mask is suspended for the day of Mardi Gras.

For the Aztec‟s, human skulls and animal skulls were often used as masks. And the possession of a

human skull mask or a dangerous animal skull mask was seen as a War Trophy.

In Inuit Cultures no Inuit Tribe is the same and they do not share the same language or Mythology, so

none of them have the same types of masks or use them for the same reasons.

Another interesting use of masks comes from the Middle East, where approximately 2,500years ago, at

Roman funerals, there would be masked actors/dancers who would represent the deceased by

mimicking movements and gestures of the deceased while singing the praise of his/her life.

After the use of masks started growing and people started using masks for theatre and as costumes for

fun and entertainment, some cultures started to take as an insult and some tribes even went into war.

The earliest know artwork depicting masks is between 30,000-40,000 years old. Most of the Paleolithic

cave drawings in which masks are visible have been very well preserved, much to the astonishment of

archaeologists.

The oldest recovered masks in recorded history are about 9,000years old and are held in museums in

Paris and Jerusalem. The first masks were also believed to be made of animal skin, driftwood or leaves.

Psychologists have said that masks have played a crucial role in human evolutions because they help

with the development of the imagination allowing the wearer to experience a different identity or to

help with social phobias or spiritual identities, and the understanding of “what it means to be human”.

Masks have changed a lot through the ages and I‟m sure it will change even more as the time passes.

And I have come to the conclusion that masks are just one of the biggest mysteries of the world, and

probably one that won‟t ever be completely solved…

Masks Through The Ages By Anita Joubert

The loud laughter cascaded in between the golden pillars of the beautifully decorated

walls. There was a swirl of purple, green and red on the dance floor. The tinkling of the

glass chandelier up ahead just made the room seem more ethereal and other worldly.

Everyone‟s faces were covered with various types of masks.

The upper-class had mostly purple masks, encrusted with gems and jewels alike. Only the slaves

around them wore bland masks. They weren‟t allowed to feel the same grandeur their masters were

accustomed to. The constant sound of loud banging, followed by the names of Lords and Ladies being

called made the lower class grit their teeth to the point of pain. They couldn‟t stand their master‟s in

every day life; here it only seemed their harsh treatments were escalated.

One man in a black mask painted with small white swirls seemed to be the most annoyed. He sneered

openly at the giggling Ladies and their idiot Lord husbands. As soon as booze flowed around them they

seemed throw all of their years of training out of the window. When people spoke of these times in the

future they would probably never mention how corrupt and disgusting these people could be. Sebastian

Hawthorn grit his teeth as another glass of champagne was ripped off from his tray. All the attendants

close to him winced when he hissed in outrage. Fairly little of them knew of his past. They only knew

he was the son of disgraced politician, and that‟s the most he would allow them to know.

They didn‟t need to know that his father had once been one of these flimsy Lords, hell bent on always

having more. If he wasn‟t drinking the most absolutely ridiculous expensive wine, he was at the top

brothels. The women were quite happy to explain ever detail of how he used and abused their bodies.

He had sold his three eldest sons into marriage contracts to satisfy his unending quench for money.

His brother‟s unwanted marriages had saved them in the end, as they were still able to keep their titles

after Lord Silas Hawthorn had filed for bankruptcy. Everything had been sold. His wife committing

suicide shortly after her husband had sold their home, causing them to live on the streets. His last

unmarried son had been sold into slavery. Sebastian hated his father, hated for what he had done to his

family. He even hated his brothers for disowning and refusing to acknowledge him.

He stopped dead in his tracks when he heard the last name being called; he looked up and stopped

breathing. There, standing at the top of the steps, dressed up in vibrant crimson and black, was

someone he hadn‟t wanted to see in this condition. He came alone as usual, everyone knew that

Alexander Dmitri had never married and had no intention of doing so. Everyone also knew he was on

a personal mission to buy Sebastian out from his current owners. He wouldn‟t let go until he had the

boy back in his clutches.

Alexander‟s golden locks seemed to glow around him like a halo; his sun kissed skin only seemed to

shine under the chandeliers. Those eyes, Sebastian‟s breath hitched, those perfect ocean blue eyes were

focused only on him. The red and black mask couldn‟t hide his intent, and it was fitting that he was

wearing it. For Alex was the Mask from the Past that had saved him, and in truth, nearly ended him

too.

The Mask From The Past By Celeste Bigaignon

The first time he had seen Alexander he had been a teenager and friends with his older brother

Severus. He had only been ten at the time, but he had been fascinated by the beautiful eighteen year

old man. He had been absolutely perfect then. He usually hid behind pillars watching him from afar,

but he knew Alexander knew he was following him.

He had confronted him about it when he had turned thirteen. Sebastian remembered how

embarrassed he had been. He had been lewd fantasies of his brother‟s friend and had been ashamed of

his actions. His father had always told him how wrong and disgusting such affairs were. He spoke of

how he would die in a never ending flame if he ever thought of loving someone of the same sex.

Even though it was common for many Lords and Ladies to take lovers of their own, it was frowned

upon to do it with the same sex. It was dishonouring their God.

So when the dashing boy had said he would one day have him as his own, and didn‟t care what anyone

thought of him…. He had been elated and saddened at the same time. No one would ever accept him,

and all he would have was Alexander.

Now as he stared at the gorgeous Duke from across the Hall he couldn‟t help but feel his breath catch

in his throat. He was as handsome as always, and many other Lords were trying to smear their

unmarried daughters on him. He was of course only staring at Sebastian. No one would ever hold his

attention quite like beautiful boy. At the age of eighteen he was as eye catching as the first day he

remembered. His curly auburn hair fell into messy cowlicks around his ears and nape, while his

emerald eyes were still as expressive and full of emotion as they always were. He still had every

intention of buying Sebastian. All he had to do was get Lord Arlington suitably drunk. And then he

could finally have his little spitfire back.

Sebastian watched as more and more couples circled towards the dance floor. He watched as Lady

Elisa Henway made her way towards Alexander, his dark enchanting personality already coming

forward in spades. No one was safe as soon as they could get close enough, this was why he had

climbed the social ladder so quickly. He could draw people in as soon as he had them ensnared they

were lost forever. Only Sebastian knew of his dark thoughts, ideas and misdeeds. He was the only one

who saw the real him, and it would probably remain that way forever.

As the night went on and more and more people were drawn towards the dance floor Sebastian used

this time to catch his breath. He watched as Alexander dominated everyone around him, watched as he

got his master more intoxicated and under his thumb. He watched as he swirled around the dance floor

with deadly grace and watched as his crimson and black robes were the most outstanding pieces of

clothing there. They moved and flowed with him, making him seem like an Angel of Death.

He would soon move in for the kill.

Sebastian wasn‟t sure what had happened. One moment he was on his way towards his chambers when

he was suddenly pressed against the wall. Hungry lips against his neck and then someone was trying to

suck his soul out. He felt alive and enthralled. Not shocked at all when he found Alexander to be the

one who wanted to kill him from lack of oxygen.

„‟Are you coming sweetheart?‟‟ Alexander asked as he pushed his prey further up towards the wall.

Those emerald eyes looked so very confuse. Making him chuckle darkly. ‟‟I am now the owner of one

Sebastian Hawthorn, and I am planning on taking him home as soon as possible my precious‟‟ He said

as he stroked the soft cheek in front of his eyes.

Sebastian stared at the beautiful man. He could only think of all the horror and ridicule they would face

if he followed after Alexander…. But as he stared at the man in front of him he couldn‟t help but feel

that it would all be worth it. For as long as they had each other, everything would be fine.

„‟I guess I should tell this Sebastian he has been saved then‟‟ He said with a small smile. And that dark

aura he was so in love with seemed to swell and multiply. For even though Alexander was the Mask of

his Past…. He would also be the beacon for his future.

And when they slipped out from the manor in the middle of the night, carrying Sebastian‟s meagre

belongings, he couldn‟t help but feel…. This was how life was supposed to be. Leaving your masks in

the past, and embracing your unknown future.

For as long as he had Alexander in his life, everything would be fine. And that‟s just the way he wanted

it.

Spreuke 26: 22-28

Maskers is so ‟n handige artikel. By ‟n maskerbal kan jy wees wie jy wil, want

die ware gesig kan nie gesien word nie. ‟n Dief of ‟n kwaaddoener, ‟n

moordenaar ens. dra maskers sodat hulle nie uitgeken kan word nie. Mense

op straat dra maskers sodat die ware persoonlikheid nie na vore kan kom nie.

Hulle speel toneel soos gesoute akteurs om mense om die bos te lei.

Daar is seker min dinge wat ‟n mens so seermaak soos iemand wat jou verraai het of in die rug

gesteek het . Tweegesig, agterbaks, jakkals, leuenaar, ag daar is seker baie benamings wat dit

genoem kan word.

Daar is ‟n spreekwoord wat lui: “Moenie ‟n tweegesig persoon vir ete nooi nie, want hy sal vir

jou duurder kos aangesien hy twee borde kos moet kry!” Ek kan net dink hoe Jesus moes

gevoel het met die wete dat Petrus so ‟n persoon was. Hy het by Hom aan tafel gesit terwyl

almal salig onbewus was dat Petrus die Here sou verraai vir 30 silwerstukke. Wat van Ananias

en sy vrou Saffira in Handelinge 5: 1-6. Kyk wat was hulle loon omdat hulle bedrieërs en

diewe was. Die dood. My liewe vriend en vriendin, Jesus maatjies, vir jou as mens help ‟n

masker jou net mooi niks. Veral as jy sê jy is ‟n Christen, maar ook al is jy nie. Dit mag die

vleeslikheid bedek in die teenwoordigheid van die gewone mens, maar daar is een Persoon wat

diep agter daardie maskers kan inkyk. Vir wie jou geheimpies nie verborge is nie. Al probeer jy

dit hoe diep wegsteek. Daar is nêrens waar Sy oë nie kan sien nie. Al gaan kruip jy in ‟n klip

skeur weg of in die vêrste land.

Hy sal jou kry en jou verantwoordelik hou vir jou dade.

Kyk wat het die Here in Jesaja 29:13 oor mense wat hul voordoen wat hulle nie is nie. Hy sê:

Hierdie volk is naby My met die mond, hulle eer My met wat hulle sê, maar hulle harte is vêr

van my af......As ‟n mens verder lees sal jy sien wat sal gebeur met ‟n persoon wat dink hy kan

agter ‟n masker leef. Hy sê: Ellende wag vir die wat dink hulle kan hulle planne vir My

wegsteek, hulle wat besig is om dinge in die donker te doen. Selfs teen die persone wat onder

die vaandel van korrupsie staan sal voor Hom moet staan en verslag doen. Jes. 30:1. Mensies

hoekom wil ons God bedrieg. Hoekom moet ons altyd probeer wees wat ons nie is nie.

Hoekom moet ons God se duidelike wil vir ons verontagsaam. Ons weet voor ons siel

wanneer ons ‟n ding verkeerd doen. God het elkeen van ons die gawe gegee om te onderskei

tussen reg en verkeerd. Haal af daardie masker van selfversekerdheid, van ontrou, van vrees,

jaloesie, kwaadpraat, skyn, hoogmoed, minderwaardigheid, blaam en nog baie meer. Beweeg

weg uit die skadu‟s en word ‟n mens van lig. Leef volgens God se wil vir jou. Vra Hom om jou

te reinig. In Eseg. 36:26: nooi Hy jou as Hy sê: “Ek sal julle „n nuwe hart en „n nuwe gees gee.

Ek sal die klip hart uit julle liggaam uithaal en julle „n hart van vleis gee.

Wanneer ‟n mens jou hart vir die Here gee val die ou sondige en selfsugtige mens weg. Kry jy

‟n nuwe hart, ‟n Sagte omgee hart. ‟n Wil in die beskerming van Jesus se wil leef hart. Dan wil

ons leef soos die liedjie sê:

Die Waarheid Agter Die Masker Deau Evan

Ek wil my gedagtes rig op dit wat daarbo is

Ek wil my gedagtes rig op U, liewe Heer

El wil my gedagtes rig op liefde en vrede

Aan U alleen wil ek gehoorsaam wees

Meer en meer soos U, minder van myself, O, Here

U ken my denke, verwagtings en drome

Lei my, O, Heilige Gees

Ek wil in opregtheid lewe

Lei my, O, Heilige Gees

Ek wil net soos Jesus wees!

As jy hierdie dinge kan nastreef, my maatjie, kan jy met egtheid sê: “Ek leef nie meer nie, maar

Christus leef in my.” (Gal 2:20:) Dan volg ons Jesus se voorbeeld en kan jy jou masker laat val

en weggooi en Jesus se Woord na buite dra sodat ander wat nog agter maskers verskuil is, kan

sien hoe lekker dit is om vry te wees van die sondelas, want Jesus het jou skoongewas. Gebed:

Jesus, my Heer, as hier vandag ‟n maatjie is wat sy of haar masker wil afhaal en wil verruil vir ‟n

nuwe sagte Jesus hart help hulle om te sien dat U net hulle beste belange op die hart dra. Dat

U hulle lief het en dat hulle na U toe kan kom nes hulle is en U sal hulle verander.

Dankie, my Heer.

Alle eer aan U. Amen.

Inspirasie Van Die Maand

Die lewe is te kort om te spandeer met hoop dat „n perfek geplukte wenkbrou of die mooiste nuwe lipglans „n MASKER oor „n lelike hart kan sit. - Kevyn Aucoin