2010 Phantom of the Opera

Life is like playing 'Blind Man's Buff' where the subject is spun round with a mask over his eyes and he has to catch everyone in the room.

We are all like the masked subject in that we can't see the weaknesses in our character which are making us unhappy

There are several ways the mask can be removed and our weaknesses revealed:

Through meditation and reflection. This is rare   and almost impossible for most of us I think. Perhaps some religious people can do it-Prophets, Saints and and such like.

Through organised religion-the devout may find a limited form of happiness in this way

Through falling in love with someone-the beloved may remove the mask gently without threatening the subject.

Friends may remove the mask as long as they are not too frank or direct with the subject. The unmasking has to be carried out with subtlety and care or the friendship will founder.

Removing the the mask directly ends the game and is dangerous as the subject feels threatened. This is the equivalent of telling someone directly their faults. It ends in argument and the subject regards the unmasker as an enemy. Very few people can or will accept direct unmasking either verbally or in written form.I certainly can't!

Have you seen Phantom of the Opera? It illustrates this process perfectly and beautifully!

Good writing, literature or drama is a subtle and gentle way of removing the mask. The subject may reflect and attempt to address his weaknesses.

Bad writing or poor drama removes our mask too directly, or not at all, and is threatening.The subject feels uncomfortable and hostile to the unmasker(s).

A lot of my writing is too direct and therefore threatening- the message needs to be clear but softened with humour or beauty.