Walking The Labyrinth...Walking My Gifts
The other day, I walked a labyrinth on a cliff top in Hawaii overlooking the ocean as whales frolicked in the channel between islands.
Yes, it is as magical as it sounds.
I have visited Maui three times in five years and during every visit, I walk this labyrinth. Each time I walk a labyrinth it's different, as I am a different. The labyrinth has long been a cherished symbol for me, an ancient tool representing the dance of life… a going inward to connect to our inner/higher resources and then a return back out into the world. A whole and vibrant life for me contains both, as I can not live exclusively in my rich inner world, and I can not thrive in the external world for long without going within for connection, inspiration, rejuvenation and insight.
This time when I walked the labyrinth, I brought offerings to place along the way and carried a small bag of token gifts I'd purchased during my vacation, with the intention that these tokens be imbued with the wonderful energy of this place and this walk. The walks are always interesting in that as I enter, I typically fumfer around a bit at the beginning TRYING to find a "good" pace and other monkey-mind worries about what to intend or how to best utilize the time and blah blah blah. But after awhile, the plodding of footfall after footfall in the powerful yet gentle spiraling energies overtakes me, and as I wind my way through closer to the center, the worries and concerns melt away into the "something more" that awaits.
So on this walk, when I reached the center, I stayed for a bit, just BEING in silence and without expectation. Without huge fanfare or received epiphany, for that matter, I eventually knew it was time and began the return walk back out slowly and at peace.
Suddenly, I had the strong urge to take the token gifts out of the bag and hold them in my hands. And it clicked. These are a representation of my gifts… and I am walking them back out into the world. I felt confident, supported and at ease. It was a strong and powerful metaphor, and I got chills up my spine. Good chills!
You see, I've been in a place lately of questioning how best to bring my work to clients. Questioning how best to package… present… market… highlight… offer. Better said, I've been worrying about how to bring clients to my work.
While on vacation, someone shared the "Ten Principles to the Zen of Attraction" on facebook. Something resonated deeply with me, and I decided to allow myself to rest in the space of HYPE NOTHING for awhile. Then, I read a brilliant blog post by Chela Davison where she talks about "the challenging balance of art and hustle" and I could no longer ignore all the synchronistic messages.
SO, back to my labyrinth walk. As I wound my way back out from the center carrying a representation of my gifts, I could FEEL the metaphor and the symbol getting a hold in my life through this seemingly simple gesture. I have learned enough in my shamanic studies over the past several years to trust in the power and potential of support and unfolding working in just this way. Walking back out into the world, I could feel the greater support for my gifts. Much like I carried these symbolic gifts… something much greater carries me as I carry my gifts into the world.
Yes, I will attend to the details of marketing and offerings and all the work (both tedious and delightful) that comes with running a business. But I will do so in a sacred way and with a knowing that there are guardians, guides and allies holding me and my offerings in the world.
For just now… no hype… no hustle… just me being me... doing what I do.
I feel blessed and inspired and supported and lucky to love what I do and who I am. If you'd like to learn about my current offerings, you may do so by visiting my website.
With <3,
Suzanne