THE WAY OUT OF THE MAZE

Notice Your Beliefs

A Belief Is a Thought That You Trust Is True

Don’t Believe Everything You Think

Sometimes “Facts” Are Just How You See Things

Let Go of What Isn’t Working

You Can’t Launch a New Quest with Old Baggage

Look Outside the Maze

Consider the Unlikely—Explore the Impossible

Choose a New Belief

Changing What You Think Doesn’t Change Who You Are

There Are No Limits to What You Can Believe

You Can Do, Experience, and Enjoy a Lot More Than You Think You Can

As they sat on the grass, enjoying the sunlight and cool breeze, Hem thought again of his friend Haw. He’d be enjoying this all even more, he thought, if Haw were with them.

“You’re thinking of Haw,” said Hope.

Hem nodded. As usual, she knew what he was thinking. He wondered how she did that.

“We have to go find him,” she said. “And your friends Sniff and Scurry, too.”

Hem looked at her, and nodded again. “That’s exactly what I was thinking,” he said.

“All right,” said Hope. She smiled at him. “Let’s go.”

They both stood up, and Hope took Hem’s hand once more, when suddenly—

“Hem! HEM!”

Astonished at hearing his name being called in this unfamiliar place, Hem turned and stared at the figure striding briskly toward him.

It was Haw!

“You’re here!” cried Haw as he embraced Hem and thumped him on the back with both hands.

“And so are you!” said Hem. He glanced all around. “And Sniff and Scurry?”

Haw laughed. “Oh, you know them—they were the first ones out! But you, Hem . . . I was worried you’d never find your way out of the Maze.”

“I almost didn’t,” admitted Hem. “I thought I was trapped in there. I thought I was going to die.” He sighed. “I was wrong, but I couldn’t see it. I was stuck in my old beliefs.”

“So what happened?” said Haw quietly.

Hem reflected for a moment.

“First, I got angry. Then, I got hungry. Then, I found Hope.” He turned to look at Hope, and smiled. “Hope, this is—”

“I’m very happy to meet you, Haw,” said Hope as she shook Haw’s hand.

“Charmed!” Haw laughed and gave a little bow, then said to Hem: “And after you found Hope?”

“Then, I changed my mind!”

Haw gave a warm smile and embraced Hem once again. “I’ve missed you, my friend. I’m so glad you found your way out of the Maze. And I’m even happier that you found how to change your beliefs.”

“Beliefs are powerful things, aren’t they?” said Hem.

The three stood silently together, contemplating the awesome ability beliefs have to hold you down, or to lift you up—and the thrilling discovery that you can change them, and still be you.

A thought occurred to Hem. “Hang on a second!” He fished in his pocket, took out an Apple he had picked up, and offered it to Haw. “Have you tried one of these?”

Haw nodded gleefully. “Apples,” he said. “Love ’em.”

“And they go really well with Cheese!” said the two friends in unison.

Hope cocked her head. “You know what, though?”

The two turned to look at her.

“I’ll bet there are all kinds of other delicious things to eat here,” she said. “Things we’ve never thought of before. Things we’ve never even imagined.”

Hem and Haw looked at each other.

Was that possible?

Of course it was!

And the three set off to explore.

The End . . .

or is it another beginning?