Reflections of Camino-Bring healing, bring peace---

This was written about day 8 of my Camino 2015

Today's mantra was Lord, give healing, give hope. 

We started out from Logrono this morning very slowly because I was limping so badly. Between the blisters and the question of whether I injured my toe when I slipped on the path the second day I hobbled out of Logrono. After we got out town our group split up with the understanding that we would try to meet up again later but we had our phones. 

I traveled slowly today. And with each click of my walking sticks on the ground the mantra came 

Left click: "bring healing"

Right click: "bring hope"

Then prayers. I thought of people and places, names and faces came to mind. And as each did I prayed. 

Left click: "bring healing"

Right click: "bring hope"

All day long as I limped along I prayed...

Left click: "bring healing"

Right click: "bring hope"   

Sometimes specifically, sometimes just generally for healing and hope...it seemed to me that I was walking along  all of us need some sort of healing in some part of our life. And I know we are all desperate for hope...

Left click: "bring healing"

Right click: "bring hope"

So for 20 miles between Logrono and Najera I prayed for healing and hope as I limped into grace. 

Walking sticks as a prayer mantra---"bring healing, bring peace

Sabbath on the Camino

I have a good friend who told me years ago that most humans are human DOINGS rather than human BEINGS. 

I think one of the reasons this is true is that we are always rushing to our next project, next thing instead of enjoying the journey. Many end up tired and frazzled rather than restored. 

When I walked to Camino stopping to take pictures of flowers, vistas, friends was a time to slow down and appreciate the journey. When I sat down in cafes or just on a rock along the Way gave me a time to enjoy and but even more to simply take a rest--a mini Sabbath--if you will

Taking off your shoes and wiggling your toes along the Camino was a common sight--it was so refreshing. 

As I reflect back on my Camino journey I am reminded of the need for Sabbath--a need to stop and look around, slow down, even take a load off--but mostly I am reminded to always enjoy the journey not as a destination in itself but rather as a gift...

Camino Company--Never alone

When I talk about my walk across Spain and people find out that I left from here and was not going with a group or anyone I knew––I am almost always met with amazement. I have had several people tell me I was brave to do the Camino, alone. I have had several people say that they wish they could do something like that but they would never set out on a journey alone.

I have said this before but it bears repeating. When I left last year on my journey I didn't walk alone. I walked with so many people. Sure I left the US and traveled to Spain without a traveling companion. But I never felt alone. So many of you walked with me by sending me notes, praying for me, responding to my posts. I felt a great company walking with me, not in an oppressive way but in a supportive way. Almost every day I saw reminders of love which told me that so many people were walking with me.

But I also met so many pilgrims on the way. And many became friends that I have contact with a year later. Others I walked with for a time and enjoyed their company too. Here I stopped for a picnic lunch with Camilla and Marie.

The great cloud of witnesses that the writer of Hebrews talked about was present--I saw them in the people I was walking with, in the people back home and around the world who were staying in touch, and in the remembrances of loved ones who have gone before and are in heaven. I never walked alone!

At supper time there was always a meal and you rarely ate alone--peregrinos from all over the world would feel comfortable joining with other peregrinos to share a meal in community.

Perhaps the greatest sense of not being alone came in the spiritual for me--sensing the divine presence through nature, others, and a hope for the journey (my Camino journey and the journey called life)--Even today I sense the companionship that was the Camino.

"There's an App for that" maybe...

It was a struggle for me to consider getting  a Fitbit. It's not something that I was very concerned with and everyone else was doing it. But my new friend Roy Howard had said how many steps he had taken to prepare for the Camino and another friend asked if I was preparing? How many steps had I taken? A few. Oh wait you want an actual number I can't give that to you. 

So for my birthday, two months before I left for Spain I got my new Fitbit. I started being fascinated by the numbers...steps, miles (translate to kms), floors. How far can I get? Can I stay ahead or along side the other Fitbit steppers? It became a game. 

My French friends I walked with were always fascinated by the calories burned...it made us feel like we could eat anything!

A year later I'm on my second Fitbit (about to wear it out). And I t's still fascinating to count steps, miles, floors and calories. 

But honestly I think I'd like an app that showed me some fun and meaningful things: Would it read smiles given, encouraging words spoken? Time taken to sit with someone face to face? Could it show a friend in need? 

Or maybe that just takes being aware: of self, those around you, and the world. 

Perseverance

Perspectives on the Camino de Santiago--a year later-Day 2

The second day of the Camino was a great day. I got a good night’s sleep the night before in the large albergue in Ronceveaux...


and started out that morning full of excitement. I walked with a woman from France and another woman from Canada. It rained the day before and was still raining the second day, misting really. On one part of the path there were some beautiful paving stones that had been put in (I guess) to make the Way better. The situation was this, however, descending from the ascent of the day before, wet slick pavement, and me. I was really being careful, even walking in the muddy path on the side of the slick paving stones—did I mention that these paving stones were very slick in the rain? The muddy path ended on the right side of the paving stones but took back up on the left side of the “slick” paving stones. I attempted to cross—using slow, small, side steps, carefully and gently I made my way to the middle of the paving stones I took another step and everything happened in slow motion—whoosh I went up in the air and back down hard. My two new friends heard the commotion and they turned and rushed back up to where I was laying flat on my back. I had several injuries that to which they tended. They had their first aid kits out so fast I knew I was in good hands.

            I was reminded that day of what I used to tell my children when they fell, “Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and keep going.” It’s an attitude thing. This wasn’t really a new perspective for me but laying there flat on my back, on only the second day of a thirty plus day “long” walk, only 20 some odd miles in to a 600 mile walk—I had to think about what that meant and how my children must have felt when I said that to them. 

            How do people pick themselves up, dust themselves off and start all over again? Does one really do that all alone? No. I don’t think so. My fall took a lot out of me that second day. But I knew I was not alone. I had others that helped me. I knew that others back home were walking with me, and I had a strength that came from deep inside me that I believe actually came from something beyond me.

            My understanding of strength and perseverance grew that day. I was grateful, humbled and determined—and accepted more fully that I never walk alone.

(Photo of a man along the way who asked to take a picture with me. Still makes me smile!)

Camino First Day Reflections-traveling

First Day reflections-traveling

Just some random thoughts about the Camino that may help in life too. 

I was asked if my views on packing had changed since the Camino and if I had any advice. Yes!! Without a doubt they have changed. Here you are: less is more. Put aside what you think you need. Then pull out only essentials. If what you are taking is more than 10% of your body weight repack. Unless you are traveling to the wilderness most places have necessities that you can purchase on arrival or as you may need. 

Often we take what we think we may need but then never use. Now I think what do I need. Really need. Not "what might I use just in case..." It's a complete change in perspective. And doesn't really come easily. But if you are moving from place to place everyday and carrying your belongings on your back you "trip" into this understanding...quickly if not gracefully or graciously.

When you are traveling overseas to walk or even ride the Camino. You will be very excited and anxious to get started. It's understandable...you have planned and planned for this most likely. But after arriving at your starting point whether that is Le Puy, Paris, St Jean, Ronscevalles, Burgos, Leon (wherever), take a day to rest, acclimate and begin to receive. Whatever distance you are walking is a long way and you may have time constraints but taking a day to get over jet lag will benefit you long run. (This is of course mainly advice for non Europeans. But I believe the same applies). Learning balance and listening to not only your body but also your surroundings and nature is a divine gift. Give yourself sabbath at the beginning, along the way and especially at the end. 

Less is more and taking time to rest are both things I have continued to work on since arriving back home. It helps. Balance.