I have been inspired by a recent e-mail from (you know who you are) to talk about "finishing your camino".
We all have great expectations for our Journey on the Camino de Santiago. Along with those expectations are fears and concerns for our safety, our ability to do what we set out to do, and perhaps being alone in a strange land.
Let's be reminded that Camino means journey. We make journeys every day. We go to work, we shop, we travel to see friends and relatives. Some times those journeys do not meet our expectations. But - no matter what happens, we always complete our journey of the moment. Generally that means we come home again. Good job, that journey is done.
Now let's re-think that. For as soon as that journey is done the next one starts. We might take a nap or read a book or start making dinner or call a friend on the phone. Our journey, our life.
When walking the Camino de Santiago, many people return home without reaching their geographic goal on foot. On my first Camino, Denise, my dear sister-in-law, truly wanted to walk every step. She found that that was not possible due to a foot injury. What a warrior she was, and is. She suffered such pain from what later we realized was due to shoes that were too small. My darling Anne was held back from time to time because of the heat and was wise enough to take a taxi to the next Albergue. Both pilgrims persevered and made it to Santiago.
However, some pilgrims have to leave the Camino before their planned time. That is their Camino. The Camino de Santiago give us whatever we wish to make of it. Even if we don't arrive at our expected end point as we planned, we always bring back our Camino experience. The Camino never ends. Even when we return home we just enter the next phase. My first Camino ended up back here with 15 puppies to take care of and it was very different from the peacefullness of the way. It was joy of a different kind.
Be brave throughout it all and take what comes. Every minute of every day is a Camino.
We all have great expectations for our Journey on the Camino de Santiago. Along with those expectations are fears and concerns for our safety, our ability to do what we set out to do, and perhaps being alone in a strange land.
Let's be reminded that Camino means journey. We make journeys every day. We go to work, we shop, we travel to see friends and relatives. Some times those journeys do not meet our expectations. But - no matter what happens, we always complete our journey of the moment. Generally that means we come home again. Good job, that journey is done.
Now let's re-think that. For as soon as that journey is done the next one starts. We might take a nap or read a book or start making dinner or call a friend on the phone. Our journey, our life.
When walking the Camino de Santiago, many people return home without reaching their geographic goal on foot. On my first Camino, Denise, my dear sister-in-law, truly wanted to walk every step. She found that that was not possible due to a foot injury. What a warrior she was, and is. She suffered such pain from what later we realized was due to shoes that were too small. My darling Anne was held back from time to time because of the heat and was wise enough to take a taxi to the next Albergue. Both pilgrims persevered and made it to Santiago.
However, some pilgrims have to leave the Camino before their planned time. That is their Camino. The Camino de Santiago give us whatever we wish to make of it. Even if we don't arrive at our expected end point as we planned, we always bring back our Camino experience. The Camino never ends. Even when we return home we just enter the next phase. My first Camino ended up back here with 15 puppies to take care of and it was very different from the peacefullness of the way. It was joy of a different kind.
Be brave throughout it all and take what comes. Every minute of every day is a Camino.
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