Hide and Seek … Seek
and Find … or something like that
written by
Jeannette Zink
I have searched high and low for something … that something I’m not even sure of; but, that
does not impede my search for this treasured something, which makes for an even greater challenge for that which
I seek. After reading this opening sentence, it takes me back to my studies of
the great literary salon of Gertrude Stein and the 1920s Paris … Rose is a rose is a rose.
Nonetheless, this
search of mine must continue until finding the very thing I’m in search of; and,
that which will most definitely and completely brim with satisfaction upon the something’s great discovery. This prized
token, hidden just around the fringes of the age old game – Hide and Seek, cloaked in mysterious riddles
and annoying rhymes, will make its appearance in due time – or so believe the
precious of innocent mind.
Perhaps, I will stumble upon this allusive something as I peel back the corners of each
maybe this or casually remember a maybe that in the musty old forgotten
archives of yesterday’s memories. If
only to stay the course, no meandering here and there, I tell myself, and you
will find that which you seek. Right,
that is the thing to do … stay the course. Don’t think so much; just let things happen,
just let that thing you pursue reveal itself … that will be the something you were chasing after, but were
never formerly introduced.
Seeking has
magical powers. It never has a need to map out an itinerary for the adventure
and discovery awaiting each undisclosed journey. And should you inquire of such
a schedule, please be prepared for a most unpleasant exchange between reason
and whimsy. I know this for a fact, as I
once packed logic in my bag for one such excursion, and soon learned the high
price charged for the extra weight of this rational reason of reason. Whimsy is
so much lighter and travels for free, not to mention all the laughs and light-hearted
fun. Seeking with whimsy is my new
found travel buddy -- together we search for the thing I do not known for that
which I seek … that something.
I heard Pope Francis say one Christmas Eve Mass to not seek God, let God find you. Stopped me in my midnight daze and caused my
mind to start blinking neon lights of enlightenment. Then I started to think
about other familiar analogies … love finds
you when you least expect it, a child conceived just when you had given up all hope
and opted for adoption, finding a
missing object after years of searching (seeking) … you may have your own gems
to add to this lot.
It was also about this time when it occurred to me that the merciless
search for the worrisome something may
be my quest to find the missing brick-and-mortar
of my life, the bits and pieces that were tossed aside over time for the sake
of a career. Yes, my life is good, but there is definitely room for improvement
… for instance, where did I drop off my soul and spirit in exchange for success?
Could this be my problem? I am the
one doing the seeking; I am the one carry the load; I am trying to lead this
search party. Maybe I am the problem! It’s not
an “I” kind of job this seeking and finding business.
As this Proustian remembrance creeps back into my mind, as
if the missing clue in a Hide and Seek
game, I begin to wave a mental “aha” flag of discovery. This restlessness of mine, always seeking the
mighty something, may have finally washed
onto the calm shores of a cool breezy revelation. The arid unquenchable thirst
for that something may have finally met
its match, and now I rejoice in the relaxed arms of content while making room
for this weary seeker to be found.
During the lull between
now and until then, I play with
the whimsy of this lifetime game of Hide
and Seek and cast my energy around the unexpected joy of each new
discovery. Just maybe I will find the
very something never intended, but were
destined to be found all along. Probably the reason I could never really appreciate my seeker’s kaleidoscope of poetic
somethings … the seeker must first learn it is far more rewarding to have been found. As for that unquenchable search
for the undefined something, I wonder
how that thirst got there in the first place … maybe, a bit of whimsy or perhaps
the power of our Finder.
Peaceful journeys, my kindred spirits … travel with the
lightness of whimsy, the heart of a seeker
and the wisdom to provide room for the grace of our Finder … and that is something
wondrous!
The Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient
paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for
your souls.”
Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV)
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