Confirmation
Of 9-28 and 29. For our anniversary we took an overnight to Yellow River State Forest. About 20 miles out I wondered if I had locked the back door. It’d happened once before. So, I tried calling a friend who I knew would stop by, but could not get through. Searching for someone who was usually connected and close by – our son, Dan, didn’t fit the bill for the second criterion – I found myself scrolling backward through the phone numbers and texting another friend. As I was in the process I felt puzzled about why this person, but kept on. So, she could and would come by. While on the little ferry crossing the Mississippi River, I saw an eagle and OK, she will do this soon. Then, up in the campground about 1:30 p.m. and again 3:30 p.m. an eagle circled overhead. Between times I walked up a lovely trail taking pictures but wondered why I had asked this person. Suddenly, Universe said, “I do not manipulate.” Pausing mid-step, I replied. “OK, say more.” Universe, “I help people open their channels, be more aware so they can respond to opportunities.” Then, I realized this person needed to walk the labyrinth. I jotted down notes when I returned to camp and the next day when we were in cell phone range I opened the text function and read from WTD, “All locked up. No worries. The labryinth was fruitful. TY” So. In bits and pieces, Universe is helping me with awareness, trust in intuition, and responding to opportunities. Just as WTD did. Interesting.
Of 10-1 through 5. All week I cleaned, prepared, cooked, confirmed, and gathered and printed materials. I tidied and walked in the Laughing Labyrinth and checked out the Prairie Labyrinth. Lots of emotions from “why am I doing this?” to great satisfaction and anticipation.
Friday ML came in and did Reiki on me. How needed and fabulous! When we met in August, we clicked and know we have a positive and valuable connection. She was kind to come and I could use the table for later on in the weekend.
Sue H and Marion in Faulkes Woods
Sue rolled in about noon. We ate, hiked in Faulkes Woods, shopped and visited the Nature Center. Sharon came about 7 p.m. and we all had the chili and cornbread supper. Then, everyone faded and went to bed. I stayed up and waited for Sandi Ohlen to get to the airport. Picked her up and home we came to a cozy room all toasty from the wood stove. Saturday dawned cloudy and windy and quite colder than temperatures had been. We finished preparations at the Center and Sandi walked the labyrinth at home. Then, the workshop began.
This has been a simple narrative of events. I find that capturing the essence of the
The Prairie Labyrinth was our first walk.
workshop is difficult. Without Sue H., Sharon N., and Kelly S. as back up and to manage the details of registration and food, well, I would have had a handful. The speakers, Sandi Ohlen, Leslee Sandberg, and Tom Capo kept the topics rolling along. I was on top of time management and had to be firm about keeping us on track. Otherwise, the speakers would lose track of time and get off track. Just as happened in the Presidential debates. The moderator really lost control right off.
Some thoughts on the talks and walks. Sandi has depth. Leslee brought a wide and interesting variety of books and artifacts to share. Tom handled his conflict of commitments by writing an excellent commentary on “natural labyrinths.” Sue H. read it both days so well. But, somewhere in this all, I felt lost and not quite in sync.
Mature Goldenrod and blooms: A metaphor for getting older.
Comments: At Prairie Labyrinth: The plants in the natural labyrinth are a metaphor for getting older (LS). Several people extended their arms as they walked past the tall grasses. People hugged. At Bottleworks: The structure of the feather that each pilgrim carried was echoed in the jet contrails in the sky (MAP). At Johnson School: All seemed to delight in the “crunch” of the acorns on the ground – both the physical action of stomping them and also the sound. At Regis Middle School: Energy seemed to pull us along (SO). We were singing a round without words (TM). Walking side-by-side with AKA reminded me of Joanne Crevelling’s gift of the walnut topped memory box. We travel along the same path for a while and then paths depart. Sometimes paths rejoin. I spoke this to the group (MJP). Someone pointed out the saying on a brick about people touching our hearts. At Unity: Play with the rhythm of peoples’ movements and two people expressed
The size of the Unity Labyrinth gave pilgrims an opportunity to take a matter under consideration.
that they liked the longer walk as they could undertake consideration of a matter (TM and MAP). At Laughing Labyrinth people touched different objects with their feathers, some hugged the magnolia trunks, and many gathered and stayed in the center for several minutes before moving to the outward path.
In the wrap up Sandi quoted R Roth (?), “It’s not about being correct. It’s about connection. So, there are many ways to walk a labyrinth and there are many labyrinths to experience. MAP commented that although the day was long and seven labyrinths are a lot to do in one day, she like being able to compare her responses to each in a short time. Nature is what taught us about life before the written word. SO
Sue H. stayed back to organize food and did she do a bang up job! Things ready, recyclables in a container, scraps for the henny pennys! Well done! I felt a calmness but still her energy was with us as we traveled. When Sharon left I began to realize that although we still had two more labyrinths and wrap up to do, the workshop was approaching the end. I agree with Sandi that one of the two PowerPoints would have been good. Two was too much. When we finished, people were ready to leave and we were ready to be done. As TM said, “I am about labyrinthed out.”
Saturday evening I so enjoyed listening to Sandi, Sue and Sharon (S3) chat by the gas stove. Sunday, Sandi, Rich and I ate chips and hummus and had a Point Special 2012 for supper! Monday the energy flowed away and I felt distressed as I do today. Much like when the kids visit and then leave, I am bereft for a couple of days. Mixed feelings of “how did it really go?” But, in the Prairie Labyrinth today as I cried, I heard a soft rustle of grasses, then further away the clapping of the cottonwoods and a feeling swept over me that they were applauding! A knowing: “You gathered in the energy with the idea and people; invited others who can use this process; those who needed it were there (yes others needed it but they exercised free will); people received from each other and from the labyrinths; now the energy is dispersed – not dissipated – and participants will use the labyrinths, spread the word, and help heal.” So, maybe I am as Jean Wiedenheft said “the hot spark” for all this.
Final labyrinth walk at the 1080 Laughing Labyrinth.
1080 Labyrinth 