Labyrinth

The path I walked the other day was distinct and easy to follow, although somewhat circuitous. I wish my path through life would be as clear. Sometimes that path seems to go through brambles and is not very well lit. But that day the sun was shining as four of us walked the labyrinth in Arlington. As soon as I stepped onto the flagstones inlaid in the grass, I knew the journey would be meaningful. I relaxed, took a deep breath and walked. Many people mistake a maze for a labyrinth. In a maze one can get lost—like I do sometimes in my journey through life. A labyrinth has only one path to the center and one way out. The certitude of getting there (to the center) helped me to relax and focus on the steps along the way.

So many lessons can be garnered from the seemingly silly undertaking of walking a labyrinth. This ancient, cross-cultural practice holds a mystery, which I’ll never fully understand. I only know the metaphor comes to life in the simple walk to the center.

As the four of us shared what the labyrinth taught us that day, I was struck by the variety and depth of insights. I hope to hold and carry those lessons into my circuitous walk through life.