Labyrinths: A Tool for the Journey Towards Wholeness

I wrote in a previous post about how my love affair with labyrinths began. This initial encounter with the seminary's labyrinth was only the beginning of my labyrinth journey. Labyrinths are an ancient form of prayer and meditation. They are "single path or unicursal tool for personal, psychological and spiritual transformation"(Labyrinth Society website). For many labyrinths represent the journey towards transformation. For Christians (as well as others) the first half of the journey is a journey inwards, away from the distractions of the world and towards God. The center of the labyrinth represents God's indwelling or presence with you. The second half of the journey is a journey outwards back into the world, hopefully with a renewed spirit and energy. 

As my labyrinth journey continues I am struck by the uniqueness of each labyrinth walk. Each time I walk a labyrinth my journey is different. Sometimes the twists and turns of the labyrinth are a bold reminder of the twists and turns my life has taken or is taking. Some walks are very emotional and cleansing. Some walks are very ordinary and seem like nothing really scared has taken place. During some walks I can literally feel God's presence around and within me guiding each careful step. One thing I know for certain is that each time I walk a labyrinth I am transformed in some way leading  towards greater wholeness and authenticity.

I love to talk about labyrinths; my journey, their varied uses, and offer suggestions for walking them. This is a passion of mine and I'd love to share more information and stories with you! 

Tell me you labyrinth stories! What questions do you have for me about labyrinths? How might you incorporate labyrinth walking into your life?

For some great information about labyrinths surf on over to the Labyrinth Society website.

Friday Photographs: Astonishing Light

"I wish I could show you, when you are lonely or in darkness, the astonishing light of your own being."

~Hafiz

When we feel like darkness has engulfed our being it is difficult to remember that God's light illumines our being and that even if one speck of light is greater than massive darkness. It is this ever present light and love that can give us hope in the midst of darkness. It is this light and love that illumine the path from loneliness to belonging. It is this light and love that illumine the beauty that each of us share with the world.

In what ways do you feel God's light shining within you? How do you see yourself today? Share your stories in the comments. 

Friday Photographs-Seasons of Life

Winters in Minnesota can be brutal. The bitter cold that invades your body to the core, the gray clouds that seem so foreboding, daylight that seems to fade just as it arrives each day, and then there is the never ending white and gray color scheme. There is a tendency for many Minnesotans to go into hibernation mode. We long to sleep more and we rush from warm building to our car to warm building and repeat. We tend to stay inside to conserve and renew our energy. Some days we are brave enough to venture outside for an outdoor adventure but these adventures seems to take more energy that those of summer.

By mid-February many of us are longing for Spring to arrive. We long for warmer weather, more daylight, and any color other than white or gray. It is like we are longing to be re-birthed. We are longing for renewed life. The vibrant colors of God's creation are to me symbols for this re-birthing. These colors remind me that with each new season of life comes a new way of being in the world. My favorite seasons are the seasons when my colors are at their most vibrant and I stand strong amongst my fellow humans.

Take minute to gaze at this vibrant reds, oranges and yellows of this plant. What season you are in?How might it be affecting your outlook on life and your interactions with others? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments.

From Shame and Fear to Enoughness and Worthiness

We live in a culture of scarcity, where nothing is ever "enough".  We are told we are not pretty enough, wealthy, spiritual enough,  good enough, creative enough, enough of a parent or partner...insert just about anything. Now you may be thinking, I don't hear those words everywhere, but think about it...most of advertising is telling you you don't have enough or won't be good enough until you buy their product. Shaming behavior, which is prevalent in our cultural, is all about telling others they are not worthy enough. Once you are aware of this issue scarcity in our culture you begin to see it everywhere and you be begin to notice the effect it is having on out society and on your self.

I struggle with not feeling worthy enough. This feeling of not being worthy enough is at the root of my struggles with fear and shame. Somedays these struggles paralyze me to the point of not being able to accomplish task, not taking a risk I would like to take or not being and ultimately not being able to be be my authentic self. Some days are easier than others-somedays (like today) I have the courage to be authentic and speak my truth. Other days I struggle just to make it through the day without spiraling downward into the negative thoughts that seem to be on auto repeat in the depths of my mind.

The Good News is that there is hope for all of us, because EVERYONE struggles with the "not enough" feeling at some point/s during our lives. The Good News is that we are good enough and worthy enough.

"God is the reminder of our divine worthiness."

Brene Brown

God is the reason we are worthy and good enough. We are created in the divine image of God, meaning we are part of God and God lives within each of us. When we deny our worthiness and our enoughness we deny that which is of God. They question then becomes how do we trust and have faith in our worthiness and enoughness?

We start by being grateful. We practice gratitude. We take time each day to intentionally make ourselves aware of what we have and who we are-that for which we are grateful. This may take the form of a gratitude journal, a family practice of sharing what we are grateful for with one another, creating a collage of gratitude or any other way you may intentionally become aware of what you are grateful to God for.

We also show compassion for ourselves and for others. Showing compassion for ourselves is about being gentle with ourselves. We tend to be harder on ourselves for things we do or who we thing we are than we would be on others. Compassion for ourselves means giving ourselves space to make mistake, forgiving ourselves for things we are regret doing, and being intentional gentle with ourselves when our instinct is to tear ourselves apart.

Just practicing gratitude and compassion on a daily basis can transform our fear and shame into courage and joy! 

Questions for reflection:

In what areas of your life do you feel unworthy or not enough?

In what areas of your life to you feel shameful or afraid?

How might you begin to practice gratitude and/or compassion?

Where do you feel joy in your life? 

I'd love to hear YOUR story and/or walk with YOUR on your journey! Please contact me for more information!