As we began to walk the Camino de Santiago here in Spain,
I began to realize that we have an ample amount of time to process.
The first day was a 9 hour, 19.5 mile journey,
and I almost didn't know what to do with myself.
'Pilgrims' or 'Peregrinos' is what they call us out here.
A pilgrim is someone on a spiritual journey.
That's interesting, considering that I thought this was just a hike.
This pilgrimage has surfaced a greater curiosity in me.
I have often asked the question, "What brings you here?"
As I have crossed paths with a number of nationalities,
I have made many new friends,
and asked a lot of questions.
Some people talk freely,
others are very reserved.
Some filled with joy,
many with fear and trembling.
On the Camino they say,
"Everyone has their own 'Way'."
From village to village and story to story, I have discovered that
no one comes on the Camino by accident.
Many people seek "what's next".
Others seek healing, freedom from a broken marriage, mourning, or simply 'more'.
I keep finding that a traumatic, life changing event has taken place in the lives of most Pilgrims.
People walk the Camino de Santiago in anticipation of great change – a new beginning.
In taking this epic pilgrimage of 'The Way',
I have learned that it's all about letting go.
Rick (USA) lost his wife 6 months ago and brought her ashes along.
Brock (Canada) is in preparation for his universalist yoga training.
Laralee (New Zealand) is escaping from the pain of her previous marriage.
Goyo (Spain) is looking for a new love.
Jack (USA) has been devastated over and over and over, and is seeking healing.
Arthur (Poland) would tell us nothing, but curiously hung around.
From the good to the bad, I have learned that 'the Way' is all about letting go.
A few days ago, I realized that I was on a pilgrimage of epic proportion myself.
I too am in this same process of letting go.
I am letting go of this control I call 'trust'.
What the heck does that look like?
It looks like:
-giving the necessary space in relationships for God to move in
-being okay with simply fighting for someone in prayer
-knowing that my hand or input doesn't need to be in everything
-giving select others the authority to have a voice in my life
Take a look inside – what does your journey of letting go look like?
