How satisfying to have pushed myself out of my comfort zone! Yesterday was the first time Marie-Chantale, Amanda and I got to practise doing the basic presentation we had learned in the
Veriditas Labyrinth facilitator training. We introduced people at the
Health & Wellness show in Ottawa to our temporary classical labyrinth "under the willow". We all felt nervous and anxious about the day - but those feelings fell away as we started to tell the story about this ancient and powerful meditative tool!
The whole process has been very energizing. From having the initial idea, planning the event and how to promote it, to
building the labyrinth out of rope and garden stakes in less than 2 hours! The moment I saw the suggested location for the labyrinth I knew it was perfect. I could even see circles and a spiral pattern in the grass. We only noticed yesterday as people were doing the first labyrinth walk - the lovely statue of Mary - that could be seen through the trees. It seemed as if she was also pointing right to this spot!
After we finished building the labyrinth on the Friday evening - I stayed on - and was setting up the signage for the event... A young family came by and were having fun lying on the grass watching a hot air balloon fly overhead. Their young son saw the labyrinth and immediately leapt up and ran over to the entrance. He skipped and ran joyfully to the centre and back out - while his family went on ahead. Our labyrinth was officially opened and ready for more visitors the next morning!
Throughout the day people started to make their way to the labyrinth. Some on their own, a family with young children, a mom and dad with their grown daughters, a group of young professionals, a couple that had travelled the world, girlfriends, and so on. Many people didn't understand the difference between a maze and a labyrinth. Everyone seemed to have time to have thoughtful, meaningful conversations. They all interacted with the labyrinth in their own individual ways - and came away feeling calmer, more centred, and grounded.
We found that we were very energized by the day and many creative ideas for future labyrinth experiences and events were flowing!
