“That’s the ideal meeting…once upon a time, only once, unexpectedly, then never again.” Helen Oyeyemi In the movie The Way, Tom meets three characters along The Way and joins forces with them. Along their Way, the four of them meet other characters. I met some characters on my path. Some I conversed with and shared a moment. Others I just observed. There was Sue. I first met Sue through one of the group members who had met her along her…
“Everyone has been made for some particular work and the desire for that work has been put in every heart.” Rumi I have been thinking about the meaning of Life Purpose for a lot of years, especially lately now that I have a lot more time on my hands. I now this may sound indulgent, but it leaves me having to consider how to fill that time meaningfully. I haven’t made a lot of progress in that time, although I…
“In the middle of a difficuly lies opportunity. Albert Einstein You knew this one was coming. You can’t be a middle child without telling others that you’re the middle child. But the middle does get a bad rap- it’s got its very own Syndrome. And consider these other mid-way points: Middle School. The forgotten years; Middle Ages. A dirty, violent time. Middle Age. A life crisis. No one wants to be “in the middle of nowhere” or “in the middle…
“I think it’s because most of us talk one way and live another. There are few people who truly, truly walk the talk.” Olympia Dukakis It is the start of May, and it is cold and gray here. It might drizzle. Certainly not the kind of weather that inspires outdoor walking. And the thought of training on the treadmill makes me think of any excuse. This makes my coach and cheerleader, John, shake his head. He insists that I must…
This trip and its significance is becoming very important to me. The pilgrimage seems to be taking on a life of its own. It has already allowed me to take risks and explore new things. It seems to be asking me to look at my experiences through many different lenses. Coincidentally I recently went to the eye doctor who strengthened my prescription, and I updated my glasses (all hail, Costco). Things are a lot clearer and crisper now. If you…
“Give my scallop-shell of quiet, My staff of faith to walk upon, My scrip of joy, immortal diet, My bottle of salvation, My gown of glory, hope’s true gage; And thus I’ll take my pilgrimage.” Walter Raleigh The most iconic symbol of the Way of St. James is the scallop shell. Today, travelers wear a shell around their necks or backpacks to denote themselves as Pilgrims. Coupled with a yellow arrow, the shell is painted on walls, posts, markers, tiles,…
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These boots were made for walking… Nancy Sinatra Yesterday I bought hiking boots, one of the necessities of the trip. We’ll be walking various terrains (see, I already sound like I know what I’m doing). I spent two hours at REI trying on pretty much every boot on display. TWO HOURS (did I mention that I am an over-analyzer?). I asked the very helpful guys if this was typical. They kindly said “yes,” but I’m not so sure. Many customers…