Persona Non Grata
The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble;
the conversation of good people keeps them out of it.
— Proverbs 12:13 (The Message)
per⋅so⋅na [per-soh-nuh]
(in the psychology of C. G. Jung) the mask or façade presented to satisfy the demands of the situation or the environment and not representing the inner personality of the individual; the public personality
I honestly think people have a persona. A persona that they, mentally, have to live up to in order to be taken “seriously” by others.
No need to lie, we all have it, myself included.
You live up to a persona that is broadcast publicly and that is indicative of who you are and what you stand for. You are represented in such a way that you must - MUST - live up to it, otherwise people think something is up. Something is different. Something is amiss.
This is an issue I’m finding out a lot about recently. It’s like people slip into this persona when they’re around certain people groups. A Jekyll and Hyde complex. They act one way in one setting, then when they “clock out” of that situation, they become something else.
Now, I’m pretty certain I’m this way, but I don’t think the difference is all that much. I’m still loud, oblivious, and (trying to be) funny and awkward in public and private settings. It’s just that some people vary SO much, it’s kinda… off-putting.
So, what about that verse at the top?
Well, the verse is in reference to when people use slip into their persona and gossip about other matters. The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble. Don’t think I cna put it any better than how God lays it out there.
Gossip is like a cancer. It manifests and infests and infects your inner being. It also has the power to be contagious. People pick up on the gossip and begin to expand and reflect on it. So, what can you do to combat gossip? Just ignore it. Ignore the trash being spoken and go straight to the source.
This, too, is something I need to work on.
I’m not gonna profess to be perfect or self-righteous or all to holy or anything like that. But some folks gotta get off that high horse of theirs and see what’s really going on with the other person.
I think this is a lesson we can all learn from Rick Pitino or any other illicit behavior involving anyone rich, famous, or otherwise. Things hidden will come to light. You can’t hide, honestly.
“Don’t be intimidated. Eventually everything is going to be out in the open, and everyone will know how things really are. So don’t hesitate to go public now.”
— Matthew 10:26-27 (The Message)
The Truthful ‘09 movement is still going strong. Grow up and grow a pair.
