Most Sincerely,

On July 14th of this year I had the opportunity to walk a labyrinth in Columbia, Missouri. I have been intrigued by these ancient symbols since I read The Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk Kidd. This piece of writing, on the journey to the heart of the Sacred Feminine, has revolutionized my idea of spirituality. I have come to view my creator in a softer, more gracious way, and with a Feminine face.
The Labyrinth is a predominant symbol in this line of belief. It represent the journey we take toward the womb of our true being. Unlike a maze with its false starts and dead ends, a labyrinth has only one winding path that, if followed, will lead you to the center. It is in the center of the labyrinth that we are reborn.
As I was walking my physical labyrinth on that hot July day, I noticed something interesting. I found early in the pilgrimage that I was just outside of the center, and as the walk went along toward the end of the journey I wound around the outer edges. This kept itself in my mind and heart. I questioned what this could mean. Then one day I was reading The Bodacious Book of Succulence by SARK and found my answer.
Under her section entitled Paths of Healing SARK states,

I believe healing happens in spirals and layers and inside interior crevices.

This idea correlates so well with my experience at the labyrinth, the moment I read it the words resounded in my soul and I knew this was a bright shard of truth.
So often I grow frustrated with myself. I feel as though I am not progressing fast enough on this journey, that my wounds are not healing as quickly as I would like. I look toward the woman I long to be and instead of seeing the progress I've already made I only see those areas in which I fall sort. Instead of seeing the days I've gone without drinking alcohol (23!), or the rooms I've cleaned (the kitchen and the living room!), I tend to only see the days which I did not meditate and the rooms I have not yet cleaned. Tonight though, as I reflect on my 23 days of sobriety and on the fact that I was able to meditate twice today and clean two rooms I am in awe. I know that those three small breakthroughs are because something way bigger is happening deep within me. Those external actions are tremors of a much larger quake that is taking place inside the interior crevices of my heart. That idea makes me so excited! And so grateful to my Mother Goddess for Her loving kindness and grace. It is as SARK goes on to say,

Healing doesn't care about the years, or about the counting. I think it is timeless and without age. It waits for our souls to shift into acceptance.

I have faith in that shifting, and I see small evidences of it daily if I only take a moment to slow down, be gentle with myself and look.

 

Blessings to you all, your kind words on my last post have been wonderful drops of grace when I feel dry and done. I come back and drink from your encouragements and am refilled and hope-full again! Much love to you and yours.