The Labyrinth

It sits in the middle of a gorgeous garden in Kloof, South Africa - the labyrinth.  I was thinking this was some type of new agey thing or maybe an ancient druid thing, but the sign said it was based on an 11^th century Christian design, with “divine” geometry.  It’s not a maze which has choices to make and dead ends if you choose wrong.  There is only one way to go and you will end up in the center.  I liked the odds of my success!  

It didn't have high hedge walls, just a low grass path marked by bricks.  I could see people winding back and forth, back and forth, quietly staying within the brick lines.  The sign said that with each 180 degree turn, you will be more centered.  I was unsure – will I find my spiritual center... or just feel like sheeple.  I’ve never been very good at staying within the lines.

I started in.  Winding, winding, turning, turning.  Just when I think I am there, the peaceful yet taunting bench in the center, it takes me back out to the outer ring!  Turn turn turn turn turn.  Now I’m in the middle.  No, no I’m not.  Some of the little kids trying it gave up and skipped a few rows.  One little girl just sat down and started sucking her thumb.   

I knew how she felt.  An older couple stepped aside to let me pass.  Evidently they could tell that I was in a hurry.  Wow, am I goal oriented or what?  Must.  Get.  To.  The.  Middle.  Why?  Why do I have to get there and why do I have to do it fast?  No one is watching to see how long it takes me to get there.  Guess this turned out to be a learning experience after all. 

This labyrinth reminds me of my life here in Africa.  Everything goes so slowly, frustrating twists and turns.  Just when you think you are close to accomplishing something, another turn and you are just as far away as you were when you started.  Rrrgggghhhh.  And me thinking I need to get to my goal NOW - everybody's watching!   So I can sit down and suck my thumb, I can take shortcuts and miss the whole point, or I can take off my shoes and enjoy the grass under my bare feet.  Look up from the path and see the beauty around me.  It’s also okay to be brainless for a little while, no decisions to make, just follow the path, keep putting one foot in front of the other.   I’ll get there.  Eventually.

I don't know what this is but it is the most beautiful flower I have ever seen and is almost as big as my head.

Did Georgia O'Keeffe paint this picture?  No, Lisa Poll took it!

These Star Trek beauties just stick out of trees

Orchids dripping from the trees