LABORinth

Birthing From Within borrows the idea of the labyrinth's symbolism of life's journey. They wittingly name call it the labOrinth. As I interpreted it, at the center of the labyrinth is our baby. We enter the labyrinth intending to get toward that goal: to safely retrieve Baby. As we begin to walk, we realize there are moments when we feel really close to the center...birth is near! But then it turns out we're asked to turn a corner and we're sent to what feels like the outskirts of the labyrinth.
Once we reach the center and (YIPPEE!) get to hold our baby, we have to then guide ourselves out of the labyrinth with Baby in our arms.
I really liked this symbol, not only for labor, but for life. If you've ever walked a labyrinth, you know it's not a maze: there are no traps to try and keep you from getting to the center. As our teacher said, in a labyrinth it's not about making right or wrong decisions, it's about persevering.
My indecisive ways often lead me to crossroads where I feel physically paralyzed by having to make a decision. It might be while standing in Safeway trying to choose laundry detergent or figuring out in what hospital to deliver our baby. I know our lives are filled with moments where we do have to weigh what will be the best decision, but what I'd like to practice is the idea of moving forward toward goals instead of dwelling on "what if"s and regrets.
In babyland it was also comforting to think about this process as not having any "right" answers. We will do the best we can and persevere.