The Masks We Wear

Posted on April 03, 2024 by Daniel Olexa, One of Thousands of Leadership Coaches on Noomii.

In the summer of ’72 my world changed.

While visiting a local farmers market with my family, I noticed a comic book cover that I had to have.

It was the cover of The Flash #215 featuring two different Flashes, the current Silver Age character, Barry Allen, and his predecessor, the Golden Age Flash, Jay Garrick.

The Flash #215. The first comic I ever owned.

I think back to that moment, seeing that cover for the first time: Two Flashes? Whaaaaaaaaa? My six-year-old brain was ablaze.

That issue introduced me to the concept of superheroes, of living according to a code of honor, of embracing science (both Flashes were scientists in their ‘real’ identities), and of the reason for masks.

While Barry Allen’s Flash wore a cowl to protect his identity, Jay Garricks’ Flash did not. Yet he was able to hide his face by vibrating it at high speed, creating an unidentifiable blur.

Magic to a six-year-old.

Nearly 50 years have passed for me.

The Flash is still my favorite superhero.

Over the decades, the mantle of that name has become a legacy. Many individuals have held the role. All have been dedicated to the ideals of truth, justice, and fighting for what is right.
The psychology of superheroes

Superman and Batman are more well-known than The Flash. So is Wonder Woman.

At their core, each has a personal identity, as well as friends and family, to protect.

That’s the reason for the masks.

If their foes, rogues, supervillains do not know the heroes’ ‘real’ identities, they cannot harm those closest to them.

But what identity is the ‘real’ one?

Superman is an orphaned alien from Krypton. While he lives life as Clark Kent, there is no denying that his ‘real’ identity is Kal-El from Krypton.

Batman is Bruce Wayne, an orphan who pledged to avenge the death of his parents by instilling fear into the hearts of evil-doers everywhere.

Wonder Woman is an Amazon from Themyscira. She assumes the role of Diana Prince to assimilate into society.

Is Superman Clark or is Clark Superman? Is Bruce Batman, or Batman Bruce? Is Wonder Woman Diana, or Diana Wonder Woman?

The lines of identity are blurred based on the roles they choose to play.

Who are they protecting by wearing their masks?

Superman wears glasses to be Clark, because he has many close human connections.

The purpose of the mask (glasses) is to hide his power to the rest of the world.

But he still knows he is Superman.

Who are you hiding?

What mask are you wearing?

What identity were you told you should have?

Who are you protecting?

What are you wearing your mask to protect you from?

Is your mask keeping you from being seen as the whole, powerful person you are (Superman modality)?

When you look in the mirror, what mask do you see?

What would happen if you revealed your true identity to the world?

(Hey – Superman did it in 2019.)

Be Seen and Start Living Again

You are more powerful than Superman. You have unique powers and gifts to share with the world.

Yet your inner Clark tells you that you are weak.

The mask of limiting beliefs is worn from the inside out.

Our greatest fear is not our weakness, but how powerful we truly are.

It’s time to own your power.

I have the gift of seeing the superpower in what you may think is your weakness.

What power will I see in you?