Adventures in Sedona - Day 5

Friday, Aug 2, 2024. Weight 153, AZ Temp 88° Today's activities and therapies included the infrared, dry sauna and the hyperbaric chamber. In the afternoon I treated myself to a massage, did some journalling and painting.

You guys, I'll admit, this is getting really hard. It should come as no surprise really, I knew it would be. But the first 4 days were a breeze. Now, I'm staving off cravings for pizza and donuts, struggling to get my head to a place of peace and feeling really homesick. It's been a tough day. I was venting my feelings to one of the other guests (we're up to around 9 of us here now) and they asked me if I've walked the Labyrinth yet. So, I walked the Labyrinth.

The Labyrinth

Here at the Lodge, they have what's called a "Seven Path Classical Labyrinth." It's a spiritual tool from long ago. So long ago that historians don't quite know the exact origin. They've been found in Christian churches to Egyptian tombs.

They are different from a maze ... there's only one way in and one way out. It's a guide to help discover clarity on a question you have. You clear your mind, set your intention and enter. Each step you take you ask your feet to bless the Earth. There's no right or wrong to do it - you can walk fast or slow, you can skip, you can run, I suppose you could probably even cartwheel. I chose to walk slowly. It was around 6:30pm and the sun was setting and there was a nice cool breeze. The center of the Labyrinth is a place for meditation, prayer and finding peace. I suppose I did a little of all of those things. I sat on the ground and stared at the beautiful sky and did some reflecting. It was really nice.

Just as I was ready to head back I saw a big, black flying object that freaked the hell out of me. I still don't know what it was ... although you can bet I tried googling it. The closest thing I found was the Palo Verde beetle which, I read, isn't usually seen this far north. It swooped by me so fast and seemed to flutter like a hummingbird but with a loud whizzing sound. And as quickly as it was there, it was gone. I sat there a little frozen by fear, then it turned to curiousity and then I thought, could it be a sign? :-) Who knows! But I bet there are worse things to encounter in the state of AZ, based on all of the molted snake skins on the streets ...

By the way, don't google the Palo Verde Beetle if you're extra skweemish like me. Thanks for being here! I would love a comment even if it's just to say "hi"! After all, I'm homesick!