Day 47
The Spirit of the Camino

 (This is good for each of us as we journey each day of our lives) 
Live in the Moment.
Welcome each day—its pleasures and its challenges. 

Make others feel welcome.

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Feel the Spirit of the those who have gone before you. 

Imagine those who will follow you.
Appreciate those who walk with you today. 

I’ve already talked about being present in the moment. But this “Spirit of the Camino” says so much more than just being present in the moment…it begins there…..helping one to settle into a rhythm and pattern and listen so as to welcome others, to share their experience so you can share yours. 

But also to realize that others have walked this way before you and others will walk this way after you. This applies to the Camino de Santiago but also to every where we walk and go in life. 

This morning we were sitting at the hotel waiting for our shuttle to take us to the airport in Madrid and then sat in the airport in Madrid waiting for our flights to take us to Italy. And it once again dawned on me that I was leaving Spain. I wasn’t sure I was ready to go; wasn’t sure I was ready for the camino to end; wasn’t sure…was looking forward to going to see friends in Italy; looking forward to seeing friends and family back home; will be so happy to see my puppy dogs…but there was a sense I was just unsettled…not living in the moment, not quite willing to welcome at that moment the pleasures and challenges of the day. 

 Before we had left our hotel a woman from Atlanta walked over and asked me about the shell on my backpack so I was able to share the story of the camino. Her 11 year old son’s soccer team is playing in a soccer tournament in San Sebastián. She wrote some information down about the Camino. While at the airport we visited with and saw several other pilgrims heading home. So again we moved into that transition stage. 
And then a man came and plopped himself down across from us. This man looked a bit frazzled, wearied from traveling perhaps. He was talking to himself at first and then I realized he was speaking to us. There was a language barrier for me but Lindsay understood that he was having trouble connecting to the wifi. She tried to help but to no avail. And yet he was grateful, still frustrated but grateful. 
 “Appreciate those who walk with you today”
Because we are all on a journey…and we may not be ready for all the pleasures and challenges but they will come so the question is there for all of us…
…how will I welcome the pleasures and challenges that this day has to offer me and at the same time make others feel welcome? That’s quite a challenge in itself. 

May you have courage! Buen Camino!

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