A letter from the past |

Dear FutureMe, let me tell you... How do you feel at the completion of your first Camino ? Grateful certainly for the many gifts and lessons that came your way as you walked your path. Maybe a profound feeling of ease and being grounded once more in your life, as it was at the end of Firewalk instructor training. What I remember most about the journey is the contentment of walking in nature, often in solitude, hearing the sounds around me, noticing the colours and small things and details, the smells and the feel of the weather. Moving carefully and delicately at first, letting my body discover how to carry my pack weight, how to walk with gentle purpose without placing too much strain on weathered knee joint and sleepy muscles. Then gradually noticing how strength and conditioning began to emerge as the days passed. As I took my first tentative steps, conscious of my vulnerability in knee and body, I could only hope and imagine how I might progress through aches and pains and fatigue to become stronger and more confident as each day began. I feel incredibly proud of what I achieved and grateful to my body for supporting me. I remember some pilgrims very fondly, learning from them about how they handle life, their hopes and fears and dreams. Some wise words I would offer to my future self. 1. Remember how hesitant you felt about striking up conversations, walking over to strangers. Remember how energised you felt afterwards as you connected with them ( maybe not everyone but that’s life), how rich your day became. Instil a strong intent and daily practice of pushing past the Type 5 inertia and reaching out to others. 2. Nurture and feed your sense of humility in the face of setbacks and embarrassment. Remember these are feelings and emotions just like any other feeling. You are not your feelings. 3. Choose joy but refrain from trying to pressurise others to do the same. They need to find their own way in their own time. Instead try to be a beacon and let others feel your light however they choose to do so. 4. Work diligently at becoming financially secure. Make plans, set goals, decide what actions and steps to take, then write your to do list. Set weekly review sessions and agenda. Track progress, what is working and not working, why, what needs to change or be added more. Celebrate achievements and milestones. 5. Congratulations on leaving behind your drifter mindset, your over developed sense of embarrassment, your occasional apathy. How satisfying each day feels now, because you make the most of each moment, setting intent and cherishing your commitment to value yourself and those dear to you. 6. Continue to cherish Teresa, Caitlin and Patrick with all of your heart. They are your rock, roots and branches. Feed their souls in frequent small ways. Isn’t it so great to feel so excited about your dreams and aspirations and plans for the future. You have so many ideas to put on the Vision Board and so many goals to pursue and enjoy. Maybe you will walk a Camino again before too long. You know in your heart that you want to. Remember your old self with kindness and compassion. Love the self you have become in every meaningful way. Buen Camino