The 1080 Laughing Labyrinth felt overwhelming this summer as the aggressive prairie grasses dominated over the more sublime domestic and native forbs. Little mums hardly poked through the tangle. Daisies cowered under the intrusive tall
Mums
grass. The sublime Bleeding Hearts barely held their own.
I despaired. All I seemed to do was cut back as the pathways grew more crowded with stalks lodging into the open space. Rich to the rescue. As seed heads ripened, he leveled the unruly stalks and we spread them in the savanna we have created out back. Suddenly the 1080 Laughing Labyrinth was visible,could breathe, and was appealing again.
Thus, the inspiration for the All Saints Day 2016 Walk. And, what a gorgeous day it was. Each pilgrim enjoyed the walk in his and her own way – reflectively, joyfully, peacefully, observantly.
Magnolia Leaf
Really, how we think about and choose to respond to matters influences the outcome more than the actual circumstances. As I walked, opening the labyrinth I took in the beauty of the seed heads and realized perhaps the “mess” that I perceived in the labyrinth spoke more about my mental state all summer than the reality of the labyrinth. The grasses show abundance; the forbs tenacity; the narrow path indicates that sometimes our way is restricted and to navigate with grace helps more than resisting. When the path opens a surprise of a new plant re-seeded from the parent lightens the perspective. While it may need to be re-located, the spreading of beauty is encouraging and something I can aspire to.
So, thanks to the lessons of summer abundance and “chaos”, I move into autumn with more confidence and calm.
Goldenrod Seeds in Autumn Sun
1080 Labyrinth 