I watched this beautiful Steller’s Jay flit around a pond yesterday, and I remembered my last experience with a jay.
I was wandering in a lovely forest when I heard a familiar sound…the screech of a hawk overhead. I scanned the trees, hoping to spot him. My eye caught movement, but it turned out to be a Steller’s Jay cleverly imitating a hawk’s cry.
I’ve read that Steller’s Jays are great imitators…their hawk imitation serves to frighten other birds away, leaving more food for the jays. Amazingly clever, I say…
As I continued walking, I was struck by a thought. Like the jay, I, too, sometimes pretend to be something I’m not. I recognize that I sometimes don a disguise to avoid conflict, or to fit in, or to make myself look good.
I suspect that the cost of pretending is high. Each time I do it, my authentic self moves into the background. And that’s not how I want to live…
So…it’s time to pack away the masks, and begin to more consciously strive to be myself as much as possible.
I’m grateful to the jay for the lesson…
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