Day 50 leave a new trail

Day 50
“Do not go where the path may lead go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

These are such wise words. And yet after walking the camino where you followed the path, the Way an ancient “trail” marked by yellow arrows and shells, that now leads to Santiago de Compostela but before was a trade route to the sea, you wonder about this advice…”do not go where the path leads go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
This is great for all of us with a sense of adventure. Blaze a trail. Follow the stars. Set a new course.

But what of those of us that are a bit more timid. That carry the weight of anxiety and worry in our backpacks. We like a little more assurance that there will be a water fountain in the next town, perhaps food to eat, and a nice comfortable bed, even a private bathroom? What of those of us who carry with us the weight of needing to know how much longer, how many more miles/kilometers it will be before I can take my boots/sandals off for a few minutes? What of those of us who count on others? We are not so good at blazing trails.

But we can. If we will simply slow down long enough to realize that we don’t have to do what everyone is doing. Bear with me on this:

…I don’t have to walk as fast or far, ride my bike as fast or far, be the best but simply do my best;

…I can sit down at any time and take a rest;

But there is more to it than that. Look at it this way:

…That building community, being patient and kind is blazing a trail in a world that is being destroyed by hate and violence;

…that sharing what I have because I have more than enough is blazing a trail in a world where people are hungry and going without and others hoard and waste;

…that forgiving and loving your enemy is blazing a trail because it takes courage and love and overcoming prejudice and fear;

…that justice, goodness, and love blaze a trail in a world that seeks injustice, evil, and hate and by blazing that trail people will follow and blaze more trails and this world will be transformed.

Is it easy to blaze a trail? No. But then it’s not easy to walk the Camino or even journey through this life. Is it worth it? Absolutely. It changes everything.