To hide or seek? Do you ever have moments in your life where you asked yourself, is it a hide day or a seek day? I had never thought about it until now. Looking back, there have been many times when it was just that.
I was reading the book Hiding in the Woods: A Trail Nature Story by Maurice Pledger. It is a story about a fawn learning about what animals do to avoid predators. It starts with the fawn being told not to leave its hiding area and keep still by its mother before she departs. Convinced that it was not a good enough hiding spot, the fawn ventures out on its own to seek beyond its safety. Upon this journey, the fawn runs into a mouse that cheerfully teaches the fawn about what particular animals do to stay safe and hidden. For example, bunnies stand still, insects have unique patterns to blend into their surroundings, and brightly colored animals signal that they might be poisonous so they should stay away.
All this had me thinking, what do we do to hide and seek? Well, on hide days I stay indoors without much human interaction. I keep to myself, entertained with cozy hobbies; staying in one place similar to the rabbit. If I wanted to blend in a crowd I could opt to wear something not too flashy or different like the insects that blend in with like colors when going outside. Instead of bright colors to repel intruders like other animals, I may act confidently or wear headphones so as to not look lost or in need of help and conversation. On seek days, I’m usually childlike and optimistic. Ready to be open to learning and not being afraid of making mistakes. Getting dirty, not being perfect, and open to adventure, like the fawn. It is not so much a look but an attitude. Wanting to use my imagination for fun and not fear.
What kind of day are you having today? It may even change in the middle of the day. It’s okay to hide away for comfort and it’s okay to want to seek adventure. Hiding and seeking are as authentic as the animals in the environment. Be the rabbit, be the fawn, or be the insect-its only natural!
Melodie Anne 