My reflections and life lessons from walking El Camino in Spain
I really wasn’t sure that I should do it. When I first decided to go on a girls’ trip to Spain to hike El Camino de Santiago, the conversation was happening in the Fall of 2019, before the pandemic. And the trip was planned for Fall of 2020. Of course, after the pandemic hit, we decided as a group to put it off for a year, never thinking that we would still be facing that same decision a year later.
It was meant to be a celebration and healing journey for a lot of things. A few of us turned 50 in 2020 and 2021. We sent kids off to college. We had milestone marriage celebrations. It felt like a once in a lifetime opportunity: to spend time with girlfriends both old and new, to spend time in nature and challenge our bodies, and to spend time with our own spirituality and purpose exploration. Yes, we could go walk El Camino de Santiago in Spain another time, but not at this point in time in our lives. Not with this group of women. All of that was only happening now.
But I was hesitant. I was filled with anxiety. I was traveling overseas by myself during a pandemic. I was leaving my husband and highschooler at home, with another son at college for his first semester, and I faced the potential for getting stuck or even sick overseas.
Why did I go? I decided that anything that is “once in a lifetime” requires great risk and potentially great cost. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be “once in a lifetime.” The risk wasn’t greater than the reward.
So I went. And prayed as I went. And trusted that it would all be okay. And I’m so incredibly grateful that I did. It was incredible. I’m so glad I went with those women, at that time in our lives.
Here’s a few of lessons that I took away from the experience:
Vulnerability is a requirement for true connection and growth.
There isn’t one “right” path. There are a lot of beautiful ways to get to where you want to go.
Pick a path and start walking.
Sometimes your path will be beautiful. And sometimes it will be difficult and messy. If you keep moving forward, it will change again into more beauty.
It’s okay to not know what lies ahead on your path. There will be joyful surprises along the way, and not knowing they were coming makes it so much more fun.
A day filled with laughter and tears and hugs and friends is the best day you can ask for. A week of them is even better
Spirituality and play are both soul- fulfilling.
When you give yourself the time and space and open yourself up to hear messages from God and the universe, you will hear what you need to hear.
Incredible synchronicities can occur. And heal.
Nature is so beautiful.
People are beautiful.
Our bodies are amazing.
Approach everything with Curiosity. It is a gift that can be strengthened.
Coming home is the best feeling in the world.
The gift of friendship, community, and connection are incredibly important to our happiness.
Make the time. Foster them.
Meet new people and see their gifts.
Live in a place of curiosity, grace, and love.
Comments