The simple joys

From My Perspective

A recent video of Dallas-area native Candace Payne has recently hit cult status, becoming one of the most popular videos on Facebook Live. In it, she has purchased a Star Wars Chewbacca mask, which she puts on while recording through Facebook Live. Once she dons the mask and opens her mouth, it is learned that the masks “speaks” like Chewbacca does. She begins laughing, and the more she laughs, the more Chewbacca roars, and the hilarity ensues. If you don’t believe me, look up “Chewbacca Mask Mom” on Facebook and you will see what I mean.

What really hit home with me, however, is something that Payne said in her video, with the mask off. She mentioned, after catching her breath a little, that it is the simple joys in life. The simple joys…how many times a day do we each rush past the simple joys in life? A simple joy could be a talking mask, or holding your newborn while they sleep. Maybe, it is getting in a good workout with great friends, or maybe it is simply sitting alone and watching the sunset. How many times do we not allow those simple joys to take over our day the way Payne let the joy of her new treasure over take her?

I have seen a few comments that her video was not that funny, and asking why it is so popular. It was not about her being funny as much as it was about her taking joy in a really simple thing in life. And then, she used that joy to share her faith with others. That is making the most of a simple joy, right there. We should all be so lucky as to have something that gives the insane joy that would come with laughing along with a talking Chewbacca mask!

Payne’s video also showed me something else: we all wear masks at some point. Now, Payne introduced herself to the world as she introduced her new prize. We got to see what she looked like, how she talked, and who she was. Then, when she put the mask on, she shared her simple joy that she sees in little, everyday things, also known as life. But, at the end of the video, she took the mask off. Yes, she is known as the “Chewbacca Mask Mom,” but, when she arrives at her appearances, she is Candace, the same Candace we all met prior to her donning the mask. In other words, it is ok to take the mask off and be you.

I know, I know, we hear all the time to “take off the mask and be ourselves.” And that is good advice. But, how many of us actually do it? Many of us put on a mask to hide something: our hurt, our scars, or our faults. Not Payne. She put on her mask to share. She shared the simple joy of enjoying life, and in return has become an overnight sensation. From my perspective, this world could use a little more Chewbacca masks, simple joys, and people like Candace Payne, who enjoys it all.