When I was eating with a group of sisters, the topic of the Camino came up, and one of them asked me, "Have you read...". As a joke, I didn't even give her a chance to finish: "Yes!" I replied, enthusiastically! Truth is, I've become a Camino-junkie! Just take a look at this list...!
Walk in a Relaxed Manner: Life Lessons from the Camino, Joyce Rupp
The Slacker Pilgrim Guide to the Camino de Santiago, Sunshine Jen
I'm Off Then: Losing and Finding Myself on the Camino de Santiago, Hape Kerkeling
Camino de Santiago: To Walk Far, Carry Less, Jean-Christie Ashmore
Pilgrim Tips & Packing List: Camino de Santiago (What you need to know beforehand, what you need to take, and what you leave at home), S. Yates
Grandma's on the Camino: Reflections on a 48-Day Walking Pilgrimage to Santiago, Mary O'Hara Wyman
To the Field of Stars: A Pilgrim's Journey to Santiago de Compostela, Kevin A. Codd
Camino Frances - 1 week, Sarria to Compostela Section (Camino de Santiago Guidebooks), Denis Houde
Camino de Santiago - Practical Preparation and Background (CaminoGuide.net eBooks), Gerald Kelly
Camino de Santiago in 20 Days: My Way on the Way of St. James, Randall St. Germain
I've also followed by e-mail two of our Sisters of Mercy from the West-Mid-West Community who walked the entire way recently.
So, what have I learned?.... To be continued....
Friday, November 22, 2013
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Epilogue
Well, here's a case in point (from the previous blog): this morning I had planned to walk with a friend in our favorite park. Got up, got dressed, and then discovered that the pilot light had gone out on one of the boilers. Long story short: plans change in an instant; I have to be here.
Now, it's up to me how I handle this situation. Of course, I'm disappointed - not only because I'm missing out on a visit with a friend, but also because I have so few days I can get in a good, long walk. But is it as serious as a typhoon? Enough said.
Now, it's up to me how I handle this situation. Of course, I'm disappointed - not only because I'm missing out on a visit with a friend, but also because I have so few days I can get in a good, long walk. But is it as serious as a typhoon? Enough said.
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Speed Bumps
I know some people in the Philippines, and am very concerned about them at this time, as Super Typhoon Haiyan hits their country full force - and then heads to Vietnam. Lives changed in an instant! Major disasters can be speed bumps that wake us up to what is really important - that "one thing necessary."
As I was walking in the park today, I had to be careful of the acorns and discarded shells that are strewn on some of the paths. A retreatant told us recently that she's so careful of where she walks because she twisted and fractured her ankle one year and it took a long time to heal. I'm no stranger to falling (!!!) so I'm a bit more cautious than I used to be. All this training - hours of walking - and one slip could change in an instant my plans for the pilgrimage. That thought, too, was a speed bump for me. So... "what if that were to happen," I muse. "Would all that training be for naught?" As one sister used to say, "How serious?" How serious, indeed! Compared to a typhoon?
Thanks for those speed bumps, Lord!
As I was walking in the park today, I had to be careful of the acorns and discarded shells that are strewn on some of the paths. A retreatant told us recently that she's so careful of where she walks because she twisted and fractured her ankle one year and it took a long time to heal. I'm no stranger to falling (!!!) so I'm a bit more cautious than I used to be. All this training - hours of walking - and one slip could change in an instant my plans for the pilgrimage. That thought, too, was a speed bump for me. So... "what if that were to happen," I muse. "Would all that training be for naught?" As one sister used to say, "How serious?" How serious, indeed! Compared to a typhoon?
Thanks for those speed bumps, Lord!
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Books That Stretch the Imagination
I've been reading many stories of people who have done the Camino de Santiago and have been following a couple of our Sisters of Mercy from the West Mid-West Community who are presently recounting their experiences. Of course, I'm reading with heightened interest as any of them writes about the last 100 miles, since that's what we'll be doing come May!
The last book I read was Camino de Santiago in 20 Days: My Way on the Way of St. James by Randall St. Germain. Two things in particular stood out for me:
1) Many times throughout the book he tells of his encounter with someone and then says, "I never saw him/her again." I've been reflecting on that. How many people do I encounter each day and never see again?! I realize I don't pay much attention to them. I'm concerned only with the folks I know. All of these people... all of these unique, amazing stories-in-the-flesh walking around!
2) He did the entire 500 or so miles in 20 days! Sometimes he walked more than a Marathon in a day! Every day for 20 days! Blisters, inclement weather, sleepless nights -- nothing stopped him! I have absolutely no desire to accomplish such a feat; it doesn't appeal to me in the least. But what reading this did for me was to stretch my mind from the limited "impossible" to the unlimited "possible." All of a sudden, as I imagined our days on The Way, 10 - 12 miles seemed like a very "possible" accomplishment.
What are some of the books you've read that have broadened your perspective?
The last book I read was Camino de Santiago in 20 Days: My Way on the Way of St. James by Randall St. Germain. Two things in particular stood out for me:
1) Many times throughout the book he tells of his encounter with someone and then says, "I never saw him/her again." I've been reflecting on that. How many people do I encounter each day and never see again?! I realize I don't pay much attention to them. I'm concerned only with the folks I know. All of these people... all of these unique, amazing stories-in-the-flesh walking around!
2) He did the entire 500 or so miles in 20 days! Sometimes he walked more than a Marathon in a day! Every day for 20 days! Blisters, inclement weather, sleepless nights -- nothing stopped him! I have absolutely no desire to accomplish such a feat; it doesn't appeal to me in the least. But what reading this did for me was to stretch my mind from the limited "impossible" to the unlimited "possible." All of a sudden, as I imagined our days on The Way, 10 - 12 miles seemed like a very "possible" accomplishment.
What are some of the books you've read that have broadened your perspective?
Friday, October 18, 2013
Grateful
Most of the time I wear sneakers. That way, I'm ready to walk whenever the opportunity presents itself. This morning I drove one of the sisters to a doctor's appointment, situated in a quiet neighborhood which includes a multi-faceted care center. I decided to walk for a while and enjoy the relatively warm day. I saw a group of seniors enjoying a game of Bocce outside. A petite, frail-looking woman gently threw the ball and knocked one of the other balls. It felt so good to see people well enough to enjoy a game outside. As I rounded the corner, an aide was walking with a gentleman who was using a walker.
This afternoon I discovered a basket of washed tablecloths and napkins we had used at our last SpiritualiTEA. One of our sisters had been volunteering at the House of Prayer each Wednesday before she had a stroke. I'll bet she'd give anything to be able to iron again.
These experiences are just some more reminders of how blessed I am with good health and a strong body - strong enough to face 100 miles of the Camino!
This afternoon I discovered a basket of washed tablecloths and napkins we had used at our last SpiritualiTEA. One of our sisters had been volunteering at the House of Prayer each Wednesday before she had a stroke. I'll bet she'd give anything to be able to iron again.
These experiences are just some more reminders of how blessed I am with good health and a strong body - strong enough to face 100 miles of the Camino!
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
A Walk in the Dark
This morning -- I can't say "bright" and early; it was before dawn -- I drove to Tamaques Park. My sister had given me a head lamp and I wanted to try it out. There was a group of women exercising in one of the parking lots, so I wasn't alone.
The first thing I noticed were the stars. What a delight to see so many! It's been a long while since I've enjoyed such a dark sky.
I positioned my head lamp and was able to see ahead quite well. To my surprise, three other walkers wore head lamps and one woman carried a flashlight.
From what I've read, many pilgrims leave early in the morning, so that head lamp, I'm sure, will be a necessity. It's one more thing I've done to prepare for the walk.
The first thing I noticed were the stars. What a delight to see so many! It's been a long while since I've enjoyed such a dark sky.
I positioned my head lamp and was able to see ahead quite well. To my surprise, three other walkers wore head lamps and one woman carried a flashlight.
From what I've read, many pilgrims leave early in the morning, so that head lamp, I'm sure, will be a necessity. It's one more thing I've done to prepare for the walk.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Find a Way
This morning I watched Oprah's interview with Diana Nyad on Super Soul Sunday. Diana had three things to tell the world after her record-breaking swim from Cuba to Florida: (paraphrased)
Never give up.
You are never too old to chase your dream.
Swimming is not a solitary sport.
And the mantra she lived by throughout the swim was:
"Find a way."
As I contemplated her words, I thought of my up-coming 100-mile pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago. Oh, my! Her experiences, her courage, her steadfastness in the face of so many obstacles sets such an example for me, not only on the Camino itself, but in all these days of training.
Never give up.
You are never too old to chase your dream.
Swimming is not a solitary sport.
And the mantra she lived by throughout the swim was:
"Find a way."
As I contemplated her words, I thought of my up-coming 100-mile pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago. Oh, my! Her experiences, her courage, her steadfastness in the face of so many obstacles sets such an example for me, not only on the Camino itself, but in all these days of training.
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