It is through life struggles that we are able to find our way. Oh, how I hoped this was true!
A few short years ago I was challenged with getting ready to send my only child off to college, trying to support my mother’s independence, although realizing she would require more attention in the near future and at a crossroads in my nursing career. It came to a point where I definitely needed some assistance getting through all this. I tried to deal with everything on my own, but realized one very difficult, sleepless night that a good psychiatrist, low dose of medication might help. I have to tell you it did, but with a lot of work and soul searching on my part! Little did I know that something wonderful was about to happen!
One cold winter night, January 14, 2014 to be exact, everything changed! That night, like every other, I was sitting comfortably (in the chair that was my father’s) and curled up in a soft, Penn State blanket (keeping my son close to me), having my ritual cup of hot tea. I was reading Daniel Pink’s book, A Whole New Mind: Why Right Brainers Will Rule the Future. One sentence read: “A labyrinth is an escape for the right brain”. “Hey, I teach about the importance of the right brain in childbirth class, could this be what I am looking for??” Out of nowhere it hit me! I knew the labyrinth was going to be important for me. I just had to figure out how!! So the journey began…
That night, I began my research about labyrinths and kept wondering why at my age I had not really heard much about labyrinths. Why did I not have the opportunity to walk a labyrinth? What, you tell me there are finger labyrinths?! It just made sense that I needed to share my own discovery with others. This would not just be something for a childbirth class, but much deeper and more personal. I continue to research and learn more about the benefits of the labyrinth.
Immersing myself in learning about and experiencing the labyrinth has been a powerful spiritual awakening for me. I began to connect that we have one life which is our own unique path, a journey leading us to where we need to be. Personally, when I grasped this I began to see life differently! I found peace living in the moment and quieting the mind came easier. Using the finger labyrinth was a bridge to explore other methods of quieting the mind, such as Transcendental Meditation (TM) and mindfulness. Once I had the vision for the product design of E.S.C.A.P.E. PATH, everything else seemed to fall into place. It is a tangible product to offer those who need assistance to get to that quiet spot and enjoy the moment.
E.S.C.A.P.E. PATH ~ Find Your Way. It may work for you!