“She threw away all of her masks, and put on her soul.”

The comedian Duncan Trussel has been quoted as saying that when you first meet him, you meet his bodyguard. And I think this is true for many of us.

My personal bodyguard is very pleasant and warm. She’ll show an interest in you, and she’s laid back and calm. She doesn’t crack at all if you insult or attack her. My body guard makes sure that these never penetrate.

But beneath that glistening armour there’s a very human person who’s sensitive, and kind, and who wants relationships. Sometimes she’s a real mess. She can get insecure and anxious. She also gets impatient, and can even be demanding.

But she can be forgiving, and she’ll find the best in you. And when she’s beaten down, she’ll bounce back, and try again. She’ll look hard in the mirror … then…