Sitting Still
COVID storms on here in the UK and over Christmas my brother went down to it hard. Being clinically vulnerable due to my chemo, it scared me, left me somewhat afraid to go outside. He’s the first person close to me who’s had the disease. And with the uk news full of spiraling cases and drowning hospitals, I had a bad few days. Walking in the countryside has kept me sane through lockdown but now I was scared to go out.
Then I dreamed of the Camino. Of the simplicity of it. Of sitting in the cafe, in the early afternoon watching the peregrinos pass. When the day is over and the walking done. The glass of rioja, the bowl of padrón peppers. Writing in my journal. The peace of it. And on waking I realized that this is a time in my life for sitting quietly, and watching the outside world, without needing to engage with its fearfulness. I can be here, without engaging in the fear or craziness. I can witness it and rest.
And when the time is right I can go on.
Karen, Caminoheads England Bureau Chief
Well said Karen.
We all must find what our own correct path is to follow.
We walk,We rest,We watch the world go by. What could be better than that.
Solvitur Ambulando.
Buen Camino
Thank you, Karen. You said it well, some things wrap us in fear – an emotion God encourages us to not embrace – and it blinds us to open doors and angels beside us.
So, with all we are going through, as you said, “I can witness it and rest. And when the time is right I can go on.”
Buen Camino
Ronaldo
“I can witness it and rest.”
Profound!
Dear Karen,
I loved this post of yours! Gracias!!! I needed to read it today…
I have been in a beautiful place, sort of like the meseta (our meseta here is called “Pampas”) staying with the Benedictines… It was a battle between Beauty and Fear, no matter how prepared and healthy I thought I was… Fear isn’t a rationale thought, it comes in waves and needs a lot of our energies to overcome it -and I believe too that a lot of times, it actually steals it-, so at this moment, I Iove that you are giving yourself the time to witness and rest, and have your energies invested in this other “C” you are walking at this very same time… as you also said, the right time to move on will come too.
Keep walking and keep writing! We love reading you!
Love in Spanish,
Cris
Karen, Thanks for sharing and for the reminder of all the beauty the Camino holds. God’s blessings on you during this difficult time.