Christianna Soumakis - (Christian Callaghan)

 Soumakis, like Professor Reddick, is very involved in hiking and its role in meaning-making. One subject she touched upon specifically was labyrinths and how they affect her life. She first began her segment by emphasizing that she was in special education when she was younger, but always knew she was smart. In some manner, she found that she wanted to be a pilgrim, although her younger self would not have led her that way if she had known that this would be the journey she would take. However, when she was younger, there was something that always tugged at her mind in terms of how she interacted with others and how her brain processes things. She was then diagnosed with ADD, which her mom did not value at first, as she believed it was just a facade for not wanting to work hard.  

She transitioned into how the Camino de Santiago has impacted her and how actually committing to that journey was sufficient for her. She talked about how nervous she was at the beginning of the trail, in which she nearly had a panic attack. Her mind immediately went to how she believed that she would be dying. She was then called upon by a voice to open up her guidebook. She then walked the Camino, and then did it 3 more times. This experience flashed her back to the 3rd grade when she was first diagnosed with ADD, which was debilitating to her. 

She then spoke about a labyrinth. She discussed the differences between a maze vs. a labyrinth, in which a maze is made to get you lost, and a labyrinth is made to help someone find their way. It will lead you right to the center, then bring you outwards in a circle around until the actual destination is reached. 

She talked about how people should pull themselves out of the mentality of being stuck in a maze and view their life as a labyrinth. A path that they must follow to follow the central meaning in their life without the necessity to become stuck with the outside weight of the world.


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