Last Saturday, when I met with my Raleigh Chapter of American Pilgrims on the Camino, our leader recognized any in our group who would be heading out on the path in the next month; that was me. In the presence of many who have walked the Camino, and others who are anticipating that journey, he read this blessing over me:

Now, as I reread the words and anticipate leaving two weeks from tomorrow, three things stand out.

“May you find strength when you are weary and comfort when you’re discouraged.”

Over the past week, I’ve felt overwhelmed by all I need to do before I go. Some of this is because I’m trying to advance my social media networking as an author at this opportune time. That aspect of my writing, my writing business, has been lacking over the past few years with so much of my energy spent in building my new life. I’m working on producing video clips on my Author Facebook page and engaging with my subscribers on this blog site. Along with this to-do list, are the other items of packing, getting apps for my phone like Google translates, Buen Camino, and WhatsApp, and time with family before I take off.

The voice of Doubt has been pushing to make me question if I’ll be physically able to walk all those miles–especially on the 16-mile days. Her voice has been particularly threatening since I was sick the other week; I haven’t been able to schedule as many hours of training.

I think of ways strength was provided last week when I met with my friend and fellow writer, Jill. She’s assisted me with my blog site and social media pages since I published my memoir. After a few hours of work, I felt myself moving forward with her support and backup as a co-administrator of my site. Through a talk with my friend, Mary Pat, who’s been to Portugal multiple times, I learned things to make travel there more familiar. She asked me about the number of miles I’d be walking each day and was surprised that I’d have two sixteen mile days in a row–and 16 days of consecutive walking.

“Connie, you have to pace yourself and listen to your body,” she advised. “We’re not twenty-somethings and if you need to get transport to make it to the next place, there’s no shame in that.”

Her permission to not do it perfectly was comforting and shut down that voice of Doubt– at least temporarily 🙂

The second part of the Blessing that speaks to me is:

“May your backpack become lighter and lighter and your heart be filled with wonder.”

In all the advice I’ve seen about walking the Camino, one of the most common guidelines is to “Pack light.” I’m attempting to do that as I lay out the items to fit in the bag I’ll check and the one I’ll carry on. But beyond those physical items, those tangible dry fit clothes, hiking poles, first aid kit etc, there are mental, emotional, spiritual things that I’ll carry as well. It seems right that this blessing refers to all that goes with me becoming lighter as I let go and I’m present on the path; to release these items, some that filled my to-do lists, will provide the freedom to be open to wonder. One of the men in the Raleigh group referred to this saying, “Let the Camino be what it’s going to be.”

The third part of the Blessing that speaks to me is:

“May you remember that a step backwards to help another is more important than a hundred steps forward”

This reminds me of my Solo Journeys and how I’ve started each day with the prayer, “God, bless me and the people in my path.” It’s been my practice to be present to whomever shows up, for their benefit and mine, whatever way that plays out. As I prepare to step onto the Camino path, that prayer applies. My biggest pressure will be to get to my next night’s lodging which is prearranged. August is the busiest time on the Camino and having my lodging taken care of is a comfort. I have to trust that this will work out, even if a stranger in my path needs my assistance and that slows me down. Like Mary Pat told me, I can be flexible and call a taxi or Portugal’s version of Uber– Bolt.

Over the next two weeks, this blessing will be my prayer and my meditation to remind me what is essential and what is not. You may be heading out on an adventure in a new place or you may be walking your familiar path. We are fellow Pilgrims on this Earthly journey and this Camino Blessing applies to all.

Buen Camino, my Friends!

Connie