I am walking with myself. Alongside myself. Accepting myself. Forgiving myself. A trusted friend believes in the power of a labyrinth. As each wave of emotion, shame, regret and fear continuously hit me last week, I reached out to said friend. A walk amongst the cluster of redwoods on a dedicated path where I put one foot in front of the other was needed. A place of release. A place to regain my footing. A place to begin trusting myself again. A place to move at my own pace in mind, body and breath.
The manic residue was slowly fading away. I sat with my wonderful friend and recounted every detail. Let the words fly on the wind. Be absorbed into the soil beneath our feet. On my solitary walk I envisioned all the negative energy rushing from the top off my head high into the sky. Evaporating in the suns brilliant rays. I chanted I shall be released. I chanted I am full of forgiveness. Deep cleansing breaths carried me around the maze. I trusted my existence for the first time in several weeks. I tuned out the chaotic chatter that likes to keep me company focusing on the present moment. Hearing the crunch of leaves as I stepped left then right. The cool air under the giant trees was soothing. Calming. As the path continued to unfold and I reached the center, I truly felt centered.
I didn’t think about the episode, the people I affected, the guilt…what feels like consequences the rest of the day. This was no ordinary walk in the woods. It was a gift.
