Leaving most of the shenanigans up to Willa, Lexi — one of our two dogs — rarely gets into mischief. On the few occasions when she is naughty, she hides. Even though she’s in plain sight she feels, “If I can’t see them, they can’t see me.”
Part of my calling includes speaking to large groups of people. As an introvert who functions as an extrovert, on these occasions I “hide” in plain sight.
Do you ever hide in plain sight?
© Laurie Buchanan
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Tuesdays with Laurie 
My mother’s cat was famous for this. At the vet, all you had to do was put a towel over her head andthe vet could do anything to her! Me Hide? Never! 🙂
Joan – Your comment put a great big smile on my face. Thank you! 🙂
Yes, indeed. In some ways we have very similar personalities, Laurie. I treasure my sacred space in the field early mornings and the quiet of that time. However, I stood up and spoke in front of our CSA “Shareholder” dinner (abt 75 people) last Saturday without too much anxiety. Then I was fortunate to talk to each individually where I am much more comfortable.
Cindy – I hear ya siSTAR! 🙂
My life’s challenge has been to come out of hiding. My kitty does the same hiding trick!
Dorothy – And challenging it is! Your kitty hides too? I bet it makes you smile every time 🙂
When our children were little, they thought if they closed their eyes or blind-folded themselves walking through a room we wouldn’t see them.
I never intentionally hide in plain sight, but sometimes my husband looks for me on different levels of the house if he doesn’t see me at my usual post at my writing desk. My personality: more of a seeker than a hider.
Marian – Oh how funny about your kids! I love that you’re a seeker! 🙂
ALL the time. Introvert here, too. Happy to be in the background most of the time.
Julia – Sharing a love for photography, I think we both prefer observing 🙂
I present and train groups from 12 to 120 for a living. And yes, I’m an introvert. I’ve learned that if I allow my introvert’s tendency to awareness and silence “show up,” it can help to create a profound space for learning through engaging in relationship. Parker Palmer talks about this in his book, “A Hidden Wholeness.”
And yes, my kitty is doing this very trick under the bed right now; one of his legs is sticking out from under the spread. 🙂
Wonderful prompt for reflection, Laurie!
Kathleen
Kathleen – I love that letting your introvert’s tendency toward awareness and silence show up helps to create a profound space (empty, uncluttered space is my muse, no kidding).
I’m glad you enjoyed this post, all the while kitty was hiding in plain sight!
I think I hide less often as I get older. Then again, perhaps my front deck time in the early evening is me hiding in plain sight.
Carol – Even though you may hide in plain sight from your desk, we — your faithful blog readers — get to enjoy the bajeebers you take from various vantage points around your home. 🙂
Love this! My cat used to cover his eyes with his paws at the vets office, if he couldn’t see them, they couldn’t see him…
Nicola – Oh my gosh, I love that your cat covered his eyes at the Vet! 🙂
Behind sunglasses has always been my fave:)
Alison – Very “glam” — I love it! 🙂
All The Time!!!
It’s my favourite way of being.
Ted – Oh my gosh, I didn’t know that. But I LOVE IT! 🙂
Laurie that’s exactly how I am, a shy introvert who must function as an extrovert, but I appreciate the beauty of both worlds. Have a lovely day everyone.
I just adore your dog Laurie. I could never EVER be angry with him what ever he had done
hee hee .
My natural personality is an introvert . When I left college I chose the crazy profession of a hairdresser . For many years I worked in a busy salon and I pretended to be an extrovert … to pretend made me very ill . Now I still dress hair but for people that ACCEPT me for the introvert that am and now ‘I’ accept the introvert that I am … plus I quite like being an introvert. …it’s took me a very long time to say that Laurie . I thought the only way to be happy was to be an extrovert .
During that time , I discovered poetry and when I read my poetry to my group , I’ve realized, I can be an introvert, enjoying playing an extrovert …age is so satisfying in many ways .
Cherryx
Cherry – Like you, I too have learned that “age is so satisfying in oh-so-many ways!” 🙂
I’ve spent a good portion of my life hiding in plain sight (as a grossly overweight person). It took me many years to realize that the weight was my way of pushing people away, or perhaps, put another way, of protecting myself. Sometimes the things we do to protect ourselves also happen to put us in harm’s way. Shame is a tricky thing — which is worse, to carry the shame of that which you’ve endured, or to carry the shame of what you’ve done to yourself? Both are pretty heavy burdens to bear, and speaking as a person who has health issues because of all the extra weight, the last thing someone like me needs is more weight to carry, whether physically, or psychologically. These days, I work at lightening my load. 🙂
Ntexas — “These days I work at lightening my load.” Be it body, mind, and/or spirit, Amen siSTAR! 🙂
You ask the right questions. The secret is to sense when to hide and when to be overt. Age with experience helps.
Carol Ann – You’re absolutely right, there’s an appropriate time for both 🙂
I guess we all have our moments when we like to hide out and meditate. When I was younger to was stage shy to a fault in classes, but on the outside I was the consummate extrovert, a real leadership type. Like everything else in life we need to assess the situation and then decide if we want to come out gangbusters. You used the example of the animal, we have one that is so skittish that she won’t let you get within four feet of her! Have a great week Laurie!
Sam – I know your loving family has several companion animals that you adore, so I’m really glad the particularly skittish one has landed “right sight up” as part of the Juliano family 🙂
That photo is so adorable, Laurie.
I had an aunt who master the skill of hiding in plain sight. She always took all the family photos.
“Smile,” she’d say.
And I always thought. Wow, I’d never be bold enough to do that. But she later pointed out, “Do you see me in any of these photos, Leanne.”
Our attention was on her for a slit second. But her attention was on us for a lifetime.
Leanne – Ohhhhh, I love the story that you shared. Thank you! 🙂
Laurie, I can’t say it’s a skill that I’ve mastered but I’m pretty good at it. There are times when I need to be visible, bold and eye-catching…I have Something to Say! Then there are those times when I draw in my vibes, closer and closer, not quite invisible but certainly much smaller and less vibrant. As a gardener, I have learned to blend into the landscape….
Sandi – I love the word picture you’ve painted. I can well imagine you blending in — chameleon like in a garden — where appropriate, and blossoming in vibrant color when and where necessary 🙂
I must be invisible much of the time – maybe that is why I am so heavy? My partner has no idea what I eat or if I take any medications etc. Not even a new haircut and no one notices. This skill kept me from being seen by my siblings, which was always scary to contemplate and experience. Where was the best place to read a book?
My one aunt who lived in Ottawa Canada and Lake of the Wood Ontario could always find me because she just listened to hear me singing.
The servers at restaurants always remember me because I see and acknowledge them
Now those are some amazing people hiding in plain sight. Actually, if they are over friendly they get less in tip money! If they just work the table and act plainly they usually get a larger tip.
Patricia – What a FASCINATING perspective you’ve shared here on so many levels. Thank you! 🙂
Looks like my Maltese. He hides and we have to pull him out from under the bed.
Susanne – Ohhhhhh, Maltese’s are so darned cute! 🙂
Oh gosh yes! I sure do hide in plain sight. I’m definitely an introvert functioning as an extrovert, Laurie. I’m currently reading, “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking.” Isn’t that a great title? I also really like the term you’re using, “hiding in plain sight.” That really is outstanding. By the time I get home after work I’m often much like your Lexi–just let me find a quiet place I can shake off the energy of the day. 🙂
Three Well Beings – As a voracious reader, I just added the book you referenced to my “must-read” list, THANK YOU! 🙂
I have the skill of blending into the walls during large events. 🙂
The Vanilla Housewife – Just like a beautiful chameleon 🙂
For me many times through the years I felt invisible in plain sight. I don’t think I hid in plain sight. I am a Leo after all !! LOL
Jeff – Ya gotta love Leonine personalities. I’m married to one (a big kitten) and my sister is a Leo too 🙂
Willa is so cute 🙂
I am invisible when I put my eye mask on. I can’t go far, but it works for me …
Val x
Val – I love it! I have an eye mask too, and when it’s strapped on everyone knows that there better be blood, flood, or fire if they’re going to disturb my Zen moment 🙂
I really think everyone does that, especially at work.
Fatimasaysell — You’ve made an excellent point! 🙂
Hmmm… Interesting question… Perhaps I do hide whenever I am with more than three people at a time, but since I tend to clam up when part of a group, I suspect it must be obvious that I am an introvert. I need quiet, uncluttered space and soft lighting to stay sane. I love the picture of Lexi! (Wish I could hide under the bed sometimes!)
Barbara – I love your recipe for sanity: “Quiet, uncluttered space and soft lighting.” It works for me, too 🙂
I love the little leg sticking out and giving her away…and the question is interesting. I have become more extroverted by time and no longer hide when I speak publicly. But I think I still hide in plain sight on occasion, for example when I have to attend an event that I’d skip if I could…
Tiny — Mandatory attendance functions are a perfect example. I’d just as soon wear my “chameleon suit” to those types of events 🙂
I hid in plain sight during junior high. So scared, shy, nervous of attention–yet wanting it desperately. Sometimes, still, though it feels like being hidden in plain sight. Perhaps our true awareness, our true “I” is so often right here–but not seen.
Kathy – Now THAT’S really interesting! Especially in light of the very public book tour you just completed. Congratulations again!
When I was in junior high I was like a windup doll that you couldn’t stop (talking and/or moving) without industrial strength duct tape. I’ve gotten quieter as the years go by. Not shy (not in the least), but introverted (much more reserved).
I like your thoughts on our true “I.”
Peek-a-Boo has been one of the favorite games at our house this week. I hardly touched my computer and played with grandkids instead. For me that is hiding right now.
Shirley – GOOOOOOOOD for YOU! Making memories for your grandchildren is waaaaaaaay more important. Have a BLAST! 🙂
I NEVER would have guessed you were an introvert, from your lovely online presence! I think part of human nature is to “hide in plain sight” — thoughts, feelings, fears, hopes, dreams.
Melissa – I was just over at your blog and saw your amazing footage. Oh man! 🙂
yes all the time
An Uncommon Girl – Even in your Gravatar: white polar bear against white snow/ice 🙂
Is she a poodle? She looks like our mini poodle Toby!
The Woven Tale Press — Yes indeed, Lexi is a Standard Poodle. Growing up we had a mini poodle and he was fantastic! 🙂
cuteness overflow!
Narcopathcrusher – Thank you! 🙂
I often feel very tired after teaching, … probably from wearing a cloaking device 🙂
Bert0001 — Your comment made me SMILE 🙂
Your dog is so cute…:)
Carol – Thank you. We love her to pieces 🙂
i hide in plain sight sometimes, its a basic inbuilt instinct i guess
Theorangenerd — Thank you for visiting Tuesdays With Laurie 🙂