Navigating Life's Maze

"Navigating Life's Maze: A Serendipitous Tale"

You ever find yourself wandering through life, feeling like you're stuck in a maze with no exit? Well, I've got a story for you that might just turn that maze into a walk in the park.

See, I've always been into meditation, and one of my favorite ways to do it is by strolling through a labyrinth, which is maze-like but with one way in and one way out. There's something about that winding path, taking it at your own pace, that brings a sense of balance like nothing else.

Now, I'm not just a lone wanderer in this labyrinth adventure. No, I've got my wife, Roseanne, and our three daughters along for the ride. And let me tell you, we've found all sorts of ways to make labyrinths fun – from racing and chasing each other to even flying through them (yeah, you heard me right, flying in daddy's arms). And don't get me started on the joy of sitting smack dab in the center, surrounded by toys, or catching some Z's right in the heart of the maze.

It all started back in 2000 when I stumbled upon labyrinths during a visit to Roseanne's second cousin, Sister Madelyn, at a convent in Wisconsin. That place had both indoor and outdoor labyrinths, and I was hooked from the get-go. Since then, every time we've hit the road, I've made it my mission to seek out these twisty-turny wonders. From South Bend, Indiana, to the Kripalu Center in Lenox, Massachusetts, where I did my yoga teacher training, labyrinths have been our go-to for some soul-searching.

But when we landed in Sarasota, Florida, in 2001, I was bummed out that I couldn't find any local labyrinths. I even thought about slapping one down on my front lawn! Turns out, though, there were two beauties hiding just a stone's throw away from home – talk about a plot twist.

Now, here's where the serendipity kicks in. One day in 2009, my wife brings home this book, "A Whole New Mind" by Daniel Pink, recommended by a coworker. I dive into it and it's like Pink's speaking right to my soul. He's talking about how the world's shifting from left-brain dominance to a right-brain renaissance – all about creativity, empathy, and meaning. And guess what one of his exercises for boosting those right-brain vibes is? You guessed it – walking labyrinths.

So, I'm on board, right? But here's the kicker – Pink's book includes a link to a website with a labyrinth locator. I punch in my zip code and boom, there they are, right in my backyard. And just when I'm reveling in this cosmic coincidence, my daughter's physical therapist, out of the blue, asks if I know any labyrinths in Sarasota.

Life's funny like that, isn’t it? One minute you're lost in the maze, and the next, you're finding your way through with a little dose of serendipity. So, next time you're feeling lost, just remember – sometimes, all it takes is a twist and a turn to stumble upon something beautiful.