Hiding in plain sight can play out in a lot of different ways

Have you ever found yourself searching for an item, unable to locate it, only to find it before your very eyes later? How did you miss it? It didn’t dematerialize. It has more to do with the seeker than the object.

Perception is sometimes distorted. Other cues can alter our perception, including grouped items or things of the same color. It’s easy to overlook something if it’s in an unfamiliar place without cues for our brain. This process can certainly be frustrating but not usually life-altering.

When can something hiding in plain sight be a more serious threat? When someone is suffering but does not want to share it with others, they may put on a happy face and pretend to be fine. We see this often with mental health issues. Have you heard of high-functioning depression, for example? Some people are struggling with depression, but they don’t show any signs of it. What’s going on inside the person isn’t congruent with their outward appearance. This could be true of your children, family and friends as well as colleagues. Sometimes it can be quite difficult to spot the signs of suffering when others go to great lengths to hide their struggle. Of course, it’s not always safe to share your difficulties with other people. It’s essential to find trustworthy people to confide in during these times.

This phenomenon also can be serious when a predator is hiding in plain sight. These people are often masters of camouflage in social settings. They do what it takes to blend in. Many people have been harmed by these people. Pay attention to your gut instinct when interacting with others. While you don’t want to be paranoid, you do want to keep yourself and your loved ones safe by practicing discernment.

On a positive note, you may have talents that are in plain sight but unrealized. When you express these gifts, you bring light and joy to yourself and the world.

Joyful Daily is a regular column that offers ideas for improving mindfulness and actively seeking joy every day. The column publishes weekdays online and Mondays through Thursdays and Saturdays in the Living section. Angela Buttimer and Dennis Buttimer are psychology experts and the founders of Atlanta Center for Mindfulness and Well-Being. Learn more about their work at pathtobestself.com. Send questions or comments about Joyful Daily to joyfuldailyajc@gmail.com.