tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post5980606075551864140..comments2024-03-11T13:52:07.302-07:00Comments on Cynthia Chapman Willis' BLOG: Do We Wear Masks?Cynthia Chapman Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12408985785062180536noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-55191517458560283022011-11-01T18:15:44.655-07:002011-11-01T18:15:44.655-07:00Oh, such a great point, Maeve. We don't always...Oh, such a great point, Maeve. We don't always know what is going on in the lives of people. This "what" could make a huge difference in how these people react.<br /><br />Such a fabulous quote, Christie! <br /><br />Welcome, Lisa! Thanks for the wonderful comment. People are ever so complicated, aren't they? For better or for worse.<br /><br />Thanks, Susan. Another great comment. It's been so interesting reading everyone's perspectives.Cynthia Chapman Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12408985785062180536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-17781773754972578892011-11-01T04:51:56.819-07:002011-11-01T04:51:56.819-07:00Interesting question! I do think heavy stress can ...Interesting question! I do think heavy stress can bring out the best and the worst in people, though not necessarily their hidden natures they normally keep hidden under masks. More like parts of them that aren't always on the surface.Susan Fieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02433408456603462774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-44020579298560462262011-10-31T12:33:32.276-07:002011-10-31T12:33:32.276-07:00I'm over from Nancy's blog. Love this pos...I'm over from Nancy's blog. Love this post. I think there is something to this although I don't know that it shows someone's "true" self. It's more like it shows you what they are or are not capable of doing. It shows you what they can take and what they can't take. I mean if someone is consistently kind and generous, warm and considerate but under severe stress they become mean and snappy does that mean they are a nasty person at heart? I have a difficult time swallowing that. On the other hand, I have seen first hand how people you think you can count on disappoint you in times of stress. I've seen people I thought would be there for me become complete cowards under duress. I like to see how people react in times of extreme stress because then I know how much I can expect from them. Some people can handle more than others.Lisa Reganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12899014095250160853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-14259494835553047162011-10-31T10:24:33.700-07:002011-10-31T10:24:33.700-07:00great post! I've heard a funny saying, "Y...great post! I've heard a funny saying, "You don't know what's in the bottle until you squeeze it." <br /><br />I all honesty, though, I think it's a little of both. I think stress can reveal a person's true nature, but in real life situations, when people undergo great amounts of pressure and change, they are also prone to acting out in ways that are uncharacteristic. It's just hard to tell which is which. <br /><br />Great post!C.R. Evershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09034891037873664976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-67892743776530674042011-10-28T15:47:04.403-07:002011-10-28T15:47:04.403-07:00I love the - show the truths behind their characte...I love the - show the truths behind their characters. I think people do show their real selves under pressure. Sometimes, there is an exception, we don't always know what is going on in their lives at that moment. That could change how they are for that moment.Maeve Frazierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-27133940629796121532011-10-28T10:31:45.493-07:002011-10-28T10:31:45.493-07:00Interesting idea, MIchelle. Masks are mysterious a...Interesting idea, MIchelle. Masks are mysterious and intriguing. <br /><br />They're beautiful, aren't they, Carol? Love your answer, too. <br /><br />Hi Theresa! Stress tends to bring out the best and the worst in me, too. It all depends on the situation. And who or what is involved. People and animals in need, for example, will always brings our any wonder woman tendencies I may have. ; ) <br /><br />It's true, Peggy, people are complicated and layered. And hopefully our characters are, too, right? ; )Cynthia Chapman Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12408985785062180536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-77746031859734019992011-10-27T21:24:15.180-07:002011-10-27T21:24:15.180-07:00Um... I choose "facets of their personalities...Um... I choose "facets of their personalities." Really, there is so much to a person. You can't find it all in a moment of stress.Peggy Eddlemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10241451940725996650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-1127792895525894712011-10-27T18:46:12.548-07:002011-10-27T18:46:12.548-07:00When I've been stressed, it's brought out ...When I've been stressed, it's brought out the best and worst in me. It depends. Maybe our true nature is circumstantial. I know when it's really counted, I've been a help. I hope if I'm ever in another situation, I'll rise to it.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-16111336260832491672011-10-27T16:33:15.838-07:002011-10-27T16:33:15.838-07:00Both, I think. Love the masks in the photo.Both, I think. Love the masks in the photo.Carol Kilgorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15168273312704732896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-36995863919035336612011-10-27T15:51:56.291-07:002011-10-27T15:51:56.291-07:00I think this would be a great idea to bring to a n...I think this would be a great idea to bring to a novel, masks... Then you'd really create 3 dimentional characters... Could also be confusing.<br />Great post.<br />XAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-51427549447589567312011-10-27T13:16:16.601-07:002011-10-27T13:16:16.601-07:00Thanks, Marica. I agree that putting pressure on o...Thanks, Marica. I agree that putting pressure on our characters can be really interesting.<br /><br />Thanks, Ashley! And i hope that stess load lightens up for you.<br /><br />Good point, MG. Thanks!<br /><br />I agree, Julie. I think the circumstances of the situation has a lot to do with how we behave.Cynthia Chapman Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12408985785062180536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-14801638145365493702011-10-27T10:14:05.346-07:002011-10-27T10:14:05.346-07:00I do think that moments of high stress can bring o...I do think that moments of high stress can bring out our true selves. Whether it's our inner monster or our inner champion I think depends on the stressful situation. Great question!Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-67437909549863367722011-10-27T08:43:58.981-07:002011-10-27T08:43:58.981-07:00What a good question. We all act differently under...What a good question. We all act differently under stress, but I'm not certain stress reveals our "true" natures; maybe just another aspect of who we are.MG Higginshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03584010470283038023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-82071308095532683692011-10-27T08:37:13.712-07:002011-10-27T08:37:13.712-07:00Well, I'm constantly under stress. Just cause ...Well, I'm constantly under stress. Just cause that's my own fault. I worry about everything. But I do think we can see clearly the characters of our characters (lol) when they make a decision under stress. Like who's the real leader, who's going to sacrifice themselves to save everyone else, who's really bad at making decisions and cannot think on their own. <br /><br />Great post!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00503400522084515874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-91313706243134910082011-10-27T08:36:35.705-07:002011-10-27T08:36:35.705-07:00Interesting question. I guess stress makes other t...Interesting question. I guess stress makes other truths about you come out, but not necessarily the WHOLE truth. I'm not sure that when a person behaves badly under stress we should conclude that none of the person's saner moments are real. But yes, this does make putting pressure on characters so interesting!Marciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10006966091789130047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-34568721379753185202011-10-26T17:51:43.400-07:002011-10-26T17:51:43.400-07:00Self-preservation. That's interesting, Karen. ...Self-preservation. That's interesting, Karen. And I'm with you in wanting to believe that there is innate goodness in everyone.<br /><br />Ah, yes, sporting events--excellent example, J.L. I've definitely seen the good, the bad, and the ugly side of people watching and playing. <br /><br />I agree, Lynda. Action sometimes speak louder than words.<br /><br />Nancy, your description of layers is great, but, um, you lost me at WYSIWYG. Sorry! : ) <br /><br />Your husband's quote is great, Bish. And you make great points about how everyone reacts differently to stress. <br /><br />Aww, Kelly, none of us are always grace under pressure all the time, but I agree that what is causing the pressure makes a difference. Your daughter's comment is cute in a bitter-sweet way.<br /><br />I do know, Tess. We all have our moments, don't we? ; ) <br /><br />Thanks, Lydia and Stina!<br /><br />Isn't that the truth, J.A.! Stress is brutal.Cynthia Chapman Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12408985785062180536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-21029531054406968012011-10-26T16:59:26.516-07:002011-10-26T16:59:26.516-07:00I think the answer is both! Stress can literally m...I think the answer is both! Stress can literally make you crazy.J.A. Palermohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18325616361174334630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-68636387592872360852011-10-26T16:53:41.856-07:002011-10-26T16:53:41.856-07:00I agree. Different facets of their personalities w...I agree. Different facets of their personalities will come out. <br /><br />Awesome post!Stinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11415189347501942340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-4704289429741706682011-10-26T16:50:06.061-07:002011-10-26T16:50:06.061-07:00I think it's exactly as you said--some will sh...I think it's exactly as you said--some will show some amazing, benevolent true colors, and other will show their worst. Great post!Lydia Kanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00484415427764822386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-8834967951293471952011-10-26T16:10:52.176-07:002011-10-26T16:10:52.176-07:00oh Lord, I hope not. I mean, I really sincerely ho...oh Lord, I hope not. I mean, I really sincerely hope people know that sometimes we are at our best selves and sometimes we just screw up. It doesn't make us bad people ... just people having a bad moment, you know?Tesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-2908260663659325682011-10-26T14:12:53.446-07:002011-10-26T14:12:53.446-07:00Good question! I hope most will still stay their t...Good question! I hope most will still stay their true self under pressure. But when I was stressed with two grad courses in a short amount of time, my daughter told me a was "a bit meaner" during that time. :( So I'm not grace under pressure all the time, I'm sure I was a bit less patient with them at that time! I think also it depends on what type of situation is causing the stress as well.Kelly Polarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-54251681974131445762011-10-26T13:58:10.767-07:002011-10-26T13:58:10.767-07:00As my husband likes to say, "Everybody's ...As my husband likes to say, "Everybody's normal until you get to know them."<br /><br />Some people just seem to be calmer under stress than others; thank God for the firemen and police and EMT people right? Other people get hysterical and stand around and wring their hands and weep and become a problem all by themselves. Still other people go numb, go kind of catatonic and can't do anything at all.<br /><br />When it's a general emergency, like a hurricane or riot or flood or earthquake, some very law abiding people become looters or worse. Is it a reflection of their true natures, or are they simply caught up in the mob mentality which can be quite strong? Think of WWII Germany.Bish Denhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13359927719391990534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-77297044419042591062011-10-26T13:38:44.570-07:002011-10-26T13:38:44.570-07:00I think of it less like a mask and more like layer...I think of it less like a mask and more like layers of defense. As we get to know someone, we allow them to peel back layer after layer until the very core of our soul is revealed. But that doesn't mean each layer is not part of who we are. I'm a WYSIWYG myself. And not a very good liar!Nancy Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-74233368823547888472011-10-26T13:10:24.785-07:002011-10-26T13:10:24.785-07:00Interesting question. I think whether under stress...Interesting question. I think whether under stress or not, our actions will eventually reveal our true selves.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-34221142436878822592011-10-26T11:48:39.287-07:002011-10-26T11:48:39.287-07:00What I have seen is the ugly side of people come o...What I have seen is the ugly side of people come out in the sporting arena. <br /><br />That said, people can be really supportive during stressful times. Guess it's how you deal with the tough situations that shows real character. And yes, we should try and bring this out in our writing.J.L. Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05666634455836834179noreply@blogger.com