Keep Walking

This morning during my meditation I had the nudge to go to the labyrinth and walk... so, I got up and went.

Usually I would find an excuse or get busy, or be riddled with guilt for doing something alone “for me” on the weekend. But not today. I just said “hey, I’d like to go walk the labyrinth, I’ll be back soon”. I got there and started walking toward the labyrinth .. I’ve never actually walked the path before even though I’ve wanted to for weeks... I stand at the arch looking at the path. Then I allow my mind to empty out, and start with breathing in "thank you" and breathing out a "thank you" as I walk... I twist and turn, I find myself sometimes in darkness, sometimes in light. Sometimes I think I know where I’m headed and other times I realize I’m going in a different direction... all the while, my goal is to reach the center.

Each step, one in front of the other, I don’t wonder why I’m going where I’m going, I know there’s a design... I don’t panic that at times I am progressing forward and other times heading in the opposite direction to “forward”. I don’t judge the parts of the path that are in the shadows or give more value to the parts that are in the light.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I keep walking, one foot in front of the other. I notice a weed... I don’t stop to wonder why it’s there or why it’s allowed to be on my path. I don’t even spend time to pull it out. I keep going.

I notice a small pile of rabbit droppings... I don’t judge the pile of shit on my path, i am not offended it’s there, I just keep going. One step in front of the other. Getting closer and closer to the center. I don’t rush or judge how long it takes, I don’t panic that it’s taking too long or not long enough.

I breathe.

I keep walking. Thank you.

✨Thank you for the people who designed this path.

✨Thank you for those who built it.

✨Thank you for those who created a way for me to be in this space right now.

✨Thank you for this moment.

✨Thank you for this lesson.

✨Thank you for the darkness.

✨Thank you for the light.

I reach the center where I sit on the bench for a moment of meditation and I hear my heart say “this is life. This path is your journey. We weave back and forth, we are sometimes in the light and sometimes walking in the shadows. Our path hasn’t changed, we are just on our way through it all. Don’t worry about the weeds, just keep going. Don’t worry about the shit, just keep going. Don’t worry about the direction, just keep going. Keep breathing. Stay in gratitude - one step at a time. Then three words. Be. Here. Now.”

Those three words were not a cliche sentence they were three separate directions.

Be - just be. It’s okay to not push or strive or know what you’re doing. Just be. Here - wherever “here” happens to be, you can always be “here” in your center. I can always access this place. Now - this moment. It’s all we have. Truly, all we have. Every moment is valuable. Love deeply in the now.

So profound. I stood up and I went to take the path away from the center... but I realized there’s only one path. The way in is the same way you get out. I walk the path back, with those thoughts and words echoing in my mind. This path is my life, just keep going one step at a time. Don’t fret when I walk into darkness, keep going.

I am so filled with gratitude this morning for the person who took the time to follow their calling to build this sacred space & I am for sure putting walking this path into my practice. What a wonderful oasis in the middle of our town to slow down, reflect, walk, and glean insight.

This work, oh, this work is so profound - all of this came from that little nudge to get up and go walk the labyrinth. Grateful for the insight and grateful to be here with you all.