The Tremble of New Life

A baby giraffe’s life begins with a six-foot drop

— a head-over-heels tumble to the earth —

where she’s caught by tall grass, tended by her mother, and

soon begins the intrepid act of standing and walking on her brand-new, wobbly legs.

I am happily home from my Paris/Chartres trip for my Labyrinth Facilitator training, and I have to say it was a wonderful experience. Being back at Chartres Cathedral felt more like home this time. It was as if I never left! There is a beautiful timelessness there that I find very comforting. 

And yet once again, I was struck by my body’s response to the space and to the labyrinth. 

As I walked the labyrinth the first time, I couldn’t believe how shaky my legs were. Yes, it had been a journey to get there and I’m sure I was tired, but this level of shakiness was something else. From my sacrum down I felt jittery, weak, and wobbly. I knew I wasn’t going to fall – I was safe – but there was a tremble within me that spoke of new life.

All I could think about was a baby giraffe. I felt like a baby giraffe. 

I placed the back of my hand on my sacrum to foster some sort of stability, or at least some self soothing. I deepened my breath, and allowed myself to just experience the shakiness. My body was telling me something. 

After some time of just walking and paying attention, I became more comfortable with the uneasiness. Curiosity filled my mind as I wondered, “What is going on here?” 

“Let me turn you,” I heard her say as I approached a turn in the labyrinth path.
“Let me turn you,” she repeated as I approached the next bend in the road. 

Once again I was reminded I’m not walking alone. I walk with a Source greater than myself. Surrender and radical trust are my best antidotes to fear and doubt. Every step on the path can feel shaky, but the path is embedded with the strength of stone and solidity of the earth. I can trust the path. I can surrender my walk to the turns and twists and follow where it leads me. 

And as always, without a doubt, I reached the center. I stood and allowed the moment to catch up with me. I was filled with gratitude. My body had prayed, my mind had settled, and my spirit was soaring. 

My friend, if you have a trembling inside you right now, take a breath. I believe that when we’re shaky all over or our legs are wobbly, it’s our whole soul saying YES to something new. Something is breaking through. Something is being born, even if we can’t see it yet. And if you don’t feel shaky but you feel something else…maybe even something you can’t put your finger on but you know it’s there and it’s a little uncomfortable…just get curious.

Take it for a walk. Invite it to tea. Listen closely.

Find out what new thing is calling you forward and don’t be scared. 

Well, be scared if you must, but don’t stop. Just keep going. That’s what I’ve done, and I’m so glad I did. 

May you trust your path, and may you be graced with the gumption of a baby giraffe every step of the way.  

Much love