Journal of Sacred Work

Day 205 – Hiding Places

   It lived between the stucco hides where two garages backed up against each other. The builders of those garages had left a space between the two back walls too small for any adult to enter. The six-year old me found that space and hid there from the world. Just now, the sixty-four year old me finds that place again. Walking a pathway of memory, I watch as the mane of a eucalyptus feather a slice of sky. Since it’s southern California, it’s sunny and blue and Mothers_lap_also
white and the stucco scratches the back of my Hopalong Cassidy tee-shirt. The ground crunches beneath my U.S. Keds. I am safe daydreaming here, free of interruptions from school teachers or parents or siblings.
    Our first hiding place was probably our mother’s lap. I think of that when I see a shy two year-old shrink against her mom when a stranger like me approaches. There is safety and comfort in a mother’s lap.
   Where do you go when you want to hide? I have a friend, an accountant by training, who is so good at self-hypnosis that he never needs an anesthetic from the dentist. "I just walk a Florida beach while the dentist is drilling," he tells me, "and I’m never bothered by discomfort or boredom."
   This kind of hypnosis must represent the ultimate in non-presence. When the now seems too painful or monotonous, some of us find a hiding place. What’s amazing about this practice among adults is that we’re all gifted at disguising our thoughts. How can the person talking to us know if we are present, or if we’re "walking a Florida beach?" 
   Presence is so important in the lives of caregivers that those who practice it with intensity may feel the need to escape sometimes – to hide, to rest.  Where do you hide when the life before you grows heavy?

-Erie Chapman

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4 responses to “Day 205 – Hiding Places”

  1. Yvonne Ginez-Gonzales Avatar
    Yvonne Ginez-Gonzales

    When I need to escape I find my sacred hiding place in my room lying down and reading a good book, in addition to playing some relaxing music in the background. This is nice when I am home and able to access this special place. However, at my place of employment it requires a leave from my building to find a quiet, peaceful place, which may not always be available or an effective alternative. In sharing that with you, I also would like to share that I have recently experience a very special alternative.
    I am doing my final graduate clinical rotation at St. Joseph’s Home Health Agency and to my unexpected surprise; they have made available to their employees a room called the “Serenity Room”, located right in the building. It provides a place for employees to hold prayers, reflections, or plain good ole silence when you need to find a hiding place. It is a small room, about the size of a person’s office that has been transformed with beautiful and rich relaxing colors colored on the walls, with dim lighting, and calming and soothing music available for listening. There are rules that no work is to be brought into this special place. I have had the opportunity to utilize the room a couple of times during my time here. What a wonderful gift to give to employees when sometimes we just need to find a hiding place for a few moments to take care of our spiritual or physical needs.
    Liz can probably elaborate a lot more on this special room that they have, I don’t believe I have given it the written justice it deserves. More organizations should consider this type of hiding place.

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  2. Karen York Avatar
    Karen York

    I’m remembering a place in my childhood backyard. We had a lath house draped in concord grapes. I found serenity and secrecy among the slatted walls and lumbering vines. Now, I “hide” in my office when I can, at the park, or at the spa enjoying a massage.

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  3. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    Thank you Yvonne for sharing about our Serenity Room. I feel fortunate that my boss was receptive to our creating a sacred space for caregivers to enjoy.

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  4. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    As a child, I often sought comfort and safety on my dad’s lap enfolded in his strong arms. I also remember delighting in a private world of make believe while hidden under the canopy of our mulberry tree. Nowadays I take mini retreats from the world. Sometimes I hide between the sheets and linger a while, or on a Saturday morning I might roll out of bed, throw on clothes, and head to the beach while most are still sleeping. I enjoy quiet mornings, listening to birds proclaim peace, sun’s warmth, and ocean breezes. I find refuge in my friendships, spirituality, books, and walks in nature. I avoid filling up my time with too many activities. Ironically, my time alone increases awareness of my unity with others and my understanding that I am not alone. I am learning to see my brothers and sisters through the lens of Love, to look with acceptance, and forgiveness as it is here that I will find my own salvation.

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