P.S.

Lately, I have been reading a book called Wellsprings: A Book of Spiritual Exercises, written by Anthony De Mello. Father de Mello was a Jesuit priest, a psychotherapist, a spiritual teacher, a writer, and a public speaker. For me, the exercises he proposes we do are really intriguing. I think I will start tackling them this winter as contemplative journaling prompts. As I was skimming through the book I came across an exercise titled The Center. It begins this way:

“ I imagine that I walk into a desert place. I spend some time exploring the surroundings, then settle down to contemplate my life. I see how frequently I rush outside myself —to people, occupations, places, things—in search of strength and peace and meaning, forgetting that the source of all is here within my heart. It is here that I must search” (31). He then presents a series of things to ponder, beginning with this one:

“Each person carries thoughts that have the power to bring instant peace. I search for mine” (31).

WOW! That stopped me dead in my tracks. For sure, I carry thoughts that have the power to bring instant peace, but I have never thought of them that way, nor taken the time to list them. I stopped to begin to think about what they are, and to list them. I think once we take the time to list these thoughts, and really be consciously aware of them, they will become a huge source of strength for us during times of confusion, chaos and trouble. The thought I came up with first was:

1) No matter how uncertain at any given moment I might feel about the truth of this, I do know for sure that each and every path I take, and have taken, leads me to the center.”

That’s why I gave this blogpost the title ‘P.S.’ I realized yet again why I love walking a labyrinth so much. Every time I do, I am comforted and reminded that in my life, all paths I have taken have led me to the center. No experience is lost; I think we can grow, and learn from every experience we have, even the most painful ones.

Hallelujah!