Sometimes we wear a mask that can't be seen.

I remember when I first found out that I was on the autistic spectrum. I used to be ashamed of it. Because of the way I acted, people at school and at home treated me differently- even teachers. I often felt like I had to hide who I was and act "normal" just because I wanted people to like me.

I was especially this way at my old church because everyone there was so smart: They were athletes, and they were in honors societies at their schools. To me, they were everything that I wanted to be.

I wanted so badly to have friends. I wanted to be invited to birthday parties, sleepovers, even just have someone to play with at recess. I wanted someone to want to be my partner in class. People easily saw past me and continued to spew hurtful words at me. I wanted to tell on them at school but I didn't want to be seen as a "tattletale"; I wanted to tell my parents but I was always worried that they would blame me for what happened.

Growing up, I was often told by my family that I can't act a certain way, or I will embarrass them in public. Back then, it really got to me. I always felt like I had to put on a show for everyone otherwise I'd make them look bad.

Now, as I am older, I have learned that I don't need to put on the mask anymore because there are people out there that will love and support me no matter what. You can be yourself, too. You can actually put those walls down and tell them what is actually going on in your life because you feel comfortable around them, you can trust them. You can actually trust them with your life.

Many trials and tribulations happen in life, but they make you strong in the end and help shape who you become. And those things might not even happen if you choose to keep the mask on.

So its time to take off the mask and show who you really are on the inside never feel ashamed to be you!