I’ve found another interesting use for Wikipedia. Did you know that if you enter a date in the search box, it will give you a list of historical events that happened on that day, as well as birthdates and, well, death dates of famous people?
Truly fascinating.
Entries for November 18 include:
1916 – World War I: First Battle of the Somme ends – In France, British Expeditionary Force commander Douglas Haig calls off the battle which started on July 1, 1916.
1918 – Latvia declares its independence from Russia.
1926 – George Bernard Shaw refuses to accept the money for his Nobel Prize, saying, "I can forgive Alfred Nobel for inventing dynamite, but only a fiend in human form could have invented the Nobel Prize."
1928 – Release of the animated short Steamboat Willie, the first fully synchronized sound cartoon, directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks, featuring the third appearances of cartoon characters Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. This is also considered by the Disney corporation to be Mickey's birthday.
Did you notice that the Battle of the Somme began on July 1? That’s a mighty long battle. (In fact, by November 18, over 1.5 million lives were lost and The Battle of the Somme is considered one of the bloodiest military operations in history. Consider this a nod to November 11, known variously as Remembrance Day, Armistice Day, or Veteran’s Day, depending on the soil on which you’re standing.)
What I find so interesting about doing this is that not only can you learn about the individual events that happen over the course of history on a given day, but also the perspective we can gain from a little investigation and imagination.
In some ways, history repeats itself, again and again and again. Natural disasters, wars, insanity (November 18 is also the day of Jim Jones and the Jonestown incident), pestilence, negligence, greed – all the usual suspects in a world gone mad, with the occasional fun, funny, or inspiring tidbit the exception to the rule. But then there is the tiny note that leads to a different way of life. In 1963, for instance, the first push-button telephone went into service. When you think about it, that was huge, a revolution, so much more impactful than Jonestown (though I’m not as sure about The Somme).
We live in a society addicted to news and drama, adrenaline and fear. I enjoy these lists, but as fascinating as I find them, I know they only offer facts. I can only glean Truth from my thoughtful observation and reflection on the facts.
A Labyrinth is a tool. It can only give us answers if we bring it questions and we listen, it can only help us calm in the face of panic if we come to it with the intent to do so. It is a path inward to our own hearts, to that deep, mystic place where all answers lie.
It is our dedication to listening to ourselves as we take the journey that can make all the difference.
This is November, a month to give thanks for our abundance. I am grateful for the many paths I have taken, especially some of the ones I thought I didn’t want to be on. What amazing lessons they have taught me.
May your paths be loving and blessed this season, and set you on the one true path – the one that leads you to Truth, Peace and Joy.
namaste