Being invisible means a lot of different things to people, especially to people who fear not being accepted for who they are, and not for what they do. Being rejected by other people is one of our deepest human fears.
While visiting a friend in the hospital, I witnessed a housekeeper dart into the corner of a room when a group of nicely dressed people came down the hall. One of them notices her and begins to point their finger and giggle. The housekeeper appeared to be embarrassed.
Once the group passed by, with her head hanging low, the housekeeper left the corner and said, “there are times when I just want to fly away somewhere far.” My response, never feel ashamed of doing an honest day’s work.
“If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Have you ever been so embarrassed you wanted to disappear?
What if you were told you could be invisible for 24 hours?
Wow! That would be a dream come true and the best 24 hours of my life. If I had the opportunity to become invisible for a day, I would find my way to MCI (the airport), board a plane traveling out of the country. Flying these days, we’re not sure what to expect. Most planes are packed to capacity, that matters little when you are invisible. I could literally walk onto the plane, go to First class, and just chill until the plane lands.
I would make sure that the destination of the plane is where I have always wanted to go-Paris. When I get there, I’d go on a sightseeing tour and take in the Grand Foyer of The Palais Garnier, home to the Paris Opera, and like most tourists, I would visit the Eiffel Tower at night.
We’ve all had the fantasy of invisibility. If only to get away from something we didn’t want to address at the time.
Maybe you would like the power of invisibility to save the world. Most people want to turn invisible because it would allow them the opportunity to do things they would not be allowed to do in their daily lives. There is so much fun to be had by breaking a few rules. Just don’t go CRAZY. Remember, you only have 24 hours.
Imagine walking into a roomful of strangers. You don’t know anyone, and no one knows you. You’re free to do anything. How do you feel?
You may feel free of scrutiny from people or family members. Perhaps you feel eager that you can use this opportunity to experience life on your terms, at your own pace. But whatever your feelings would be, you would at least believe that you can enter this situation without being talked about or judged.
You could enjoy the feeling of non-existence and escape from all cares and tensions of life.
You could see others without them seeing you. It would give insight, on seeing how others really feel when you’re not around. You would have the ability to sit back and truly listen and watch. You could see people for who they really are because now they are exposed.
Most of all, no matter our jobs or position in life, we matter. May we all feel the weight of a thankful heart. Don’t be quick to judge. It’s easy to look at others and point out their flaws. Accept people for who they are, not for what they do.
The fear of rejection is a powerful fear that often has a far-reaching impact on our lives. So, do me a favor the next time you see someone, and you want to pass judgement. Encourage them. A little kindness goes a long way.
Founder, How Come, How Long (HCHL)
Writer / Author/ Blogger
