WORTH THE DRIVE

First United Methodist Church Georgetown

The prayer labyrinth at First United Methodist Church is designed to help calm the mind, relax the body, reduce stress, and provide space to help guide your mind in prayer. According to FUMC’s website, “The path is a metaphor for a journey with God in which you can trust God every step of the way.”

 410 E. University Ave., Georgetown. The labyrinth is located at the end of the parking lot along the side of the Eric McKinney Christian Ministry Center. The entrance to the labyrinth faces toward East 13th Street.

Lotus Bend Retreat & Development Center

A safe, sacred space for relaxation, reflection, and connection, Lotus Bend Sanctuary offers walking paths, gardens, meditation areas, a koi pond, labyrinth, fire pit, diverse wildlife, and a beautiful creek and escarpment.

 2808 Robin Rd, Austin. Lotus Bend Sanctuary is a private facility, and visitors are asked to email alfonso.carlon@sbcglobal.net to request a tour.

Bastrop Botanical Gardens

For Deena Spellman, the labyrinth at the Bastrop Botanical Gardens was inspired by her desire to provide a place of healing after tragedy. “After the Bastrop County Complex Fire destroyed so many of our neighbors’ and customers’ homes in 2011, I wanted to create a space where people could find some peace and maybe a little hope,” the Bastrop Botanical Gardens owner told the Texas Co-op Power. “Since then, many people who needed a quiet place to heal have walked the labyrinth.”

 316 Old 71, Cedar Creek. Call 512-303-5672 to schedule a time to walk the Bastrop Botanical Gardens Labyrinth.

Jacob’s Well Natural Area

Jacob's Well Natural Area is renowned for its artesian spring and popular swimming hole, hiking trails, play and picnic area, and a lesser-known feature, a labyrinth that provides visitors with a peaceful place to reflect and connect with nature.

 1699 Mt. Sharp Rd, Wimberley

Cave Without a Name

In addition to its awe-inspiring cave tour and monthly concerts, Cave Without a Name offers sluicing, geode cutting, walking trails, and a labyrinth that has become a popular activity for both kids and adults who need a moment to zen out.

 325 Kreutzberg Rd, Boerne

To discover more of the numerous labyrinths throughout Texas and beyond, visit waymarking.com and labyrinthlocator.org.

My title may appear, at first, to be an oxymoron but I assure you it will make sense in a minute.

Leigh had a column all ready to go this month... a light missive about the dichotomy of going to and coming home from summer vacation. But in the days following July 13, it fell on my heart to talk about my prayer that I, and many more of us, might be like Corey Comperatore.

We all consider ourselves the hero of our own story. That's not shade — it’s simply human nature to see ourselves in the best light, trusting in our instincts and our resolve. Following any catastrophe, whether in nature or by human hands, we find ourselves thinking or talking about how we might have Jason Bourne'd the situation. As a mother, I often proudly but almost offhandedly say, "Yeah, I would take a bullet on fire for my son." And in my mind, I would. But in the moment of crisis, would I really have the instincts the former fire chief demonstrated when he literally took a bullet meant for the former president to save his own wife and child?

As a Trump supporter, Corey woke up that day just excited to see his candidate in person. Like many others, he had undoubtedly been hassled and labeled as part of the conservative collective: extremist, threat to democracy, etc. However, in a brief, transformative moment that afternoon, Corey was not defined by such labels.