The Circle Labyrinth

Today I had the opportunity to walk The Circle Labyrinth on the Brescia University College campus; it was an experience like no other I've had before. After I completed the journey, I reflected and took away 10 things that can be applied as analogies to every day life. The Circle Labyrinth is open to the public at all times and I recommend you make a trip there on a sunny day.

The journey is different for everyone. The following are my own reflections:

1. Shoes on or shoes off? Before you begin your journey, take your shoes off. Walk barefoot. When starting a new journey to truly experience, make a discovery, and end it with real understanding, you must start with an open mind and leave behind any barriers that will prevent you from making progress and change.Leave your ego and preconceptions with your shoes.
2. Shoes off, really? If you walk barefoot, you will feel the uneven path; the patches of dry and lush grass. Shoes will prevent you from learning new things.
3. Trying to see what’s ahead to solve the “puzzle” before you even start the journey. Soon you realize that’s not really the point, and eventually you understand there is no puzzle to solve. It’s a labyrinth not a maze. At times we forget the importance of the journey and the beauty of a surprise. Don’t be afraid to be surprised. Surprises make you discover and see with different eyes; sometime it’s all we need. Also, we often try to solve a problem that doesn't even exist; without taking the journey and understanding it first we create problems for ourselves. Take the time to walk through the labyrinth. There is only one way in and one way out. It’s all the same path.
4. Wondering if you can complete the journey faster because there are no walls. When you are walking through the labyrinth, nothing is stopping you from jumping ahead. Yet again, you realize that’s not the point. All the processes in a system have a role; it’s what makes them work. You won’t be able to improve a system that “works” or fix a broken system if you don’t understand all the processes. Don’t skip ahead to get to the end quicker. It will certainly involve more walking time but the satisfaction its gratifying. The Circle Labyrinth is flawless, you won’t get the full experience if you jump over the stones. Same applies when solving a problem.
5. Walking and always looking down instead of looking up and around. If on your journey, you forget to look up and around you will get dizzy. The journey will be pointless if you forget to look at your surroundings. There are other people along the journey as well, some are coming behind you, some are ahead, and some are on their way back already. Make sure you don’t run over anyone; we are all in this together. It is not just about you, most times you have to work around people and coexist in the journey. Remember, in The Circle Labyrinth there is only one way in and one way out and both are the same way. However, don’t forget to look down from time to time to make sure you stay on course and don’t smash your toe against a rock.
6. The sycamore tree in the middle means nothing at this point. At the beginning you think nothing of it. There are many more trees all around you; bigger and grandiose older trees with more shade. Don’t draw conclusions yet; it’s too soon. Finish the journey first!
7. You get closer but realize there is still much walking to do. The journey will feel “long,” but understand sometimes is not about getting there fast.
8. Once in the middle you really appreciate the beauty of the tree, the view and the trail you completed. Standing by the tree you feel accomplished, and then understand the importance of the journey. You feel the tree and you stay in the circle for a few moments appreciating the view.
9. The journey back is the same path, but you see it differently. Part of it is looking back at the journey now more familiar to you and finding things you might have missed.
10. Once you are out, you look back at the tree and you notice and understand the beauty of it from afar.