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Has anyone else had the experience of trying to explain your plans to do the camino and getting a response of "Oh, that's nice" and give you a look like you've lost your marbles???Jen
Has anyone else had the experience of trying to explain your plans to do the camino and getting a response of "Oh, that's nice" and give you a look like you've lost your marbles???
Jen
Has anyone else had the experience of trying to explain your plans to do the camino and getting a response of "Oh, that's nice" and give you a look like you've lost your marbles??? It is frustrating and a bit sad. I feel so alone and am so glad to have this forum where there are other people who have also apparently lost their marbles! It is so important to me and I guess I want everyone around me to be as excited. I guess in a way I have already started my solo camino and should just use this time to look within and focus on why I am doing it. I think from now on I am not going to talk to anyone about it (except for one new aquaintance who has done it). It's a personal journey and most importantly of all, for me, a spiritual one between me and my God. I don't have to shout it from the rooftops and expect others to have the same level of enthusiasm.
I'd love to hear other people's experiences in regards to this.
Blessings and Buen Camino
Jen
As I mentioned above, for many reasons, I've become mindful of who I am and how I project myself...in this moment. Where, at one time, I'd be nearly paralyzed by grief, I now give that emotion a quick glance and then gently pass it on. Hurting, as with any injury, should with proper treatment heal. And, that healing allows one to get on with their life.As a preparation for my Santiago pilgrimage I walked up Croagh Patrick in September. A lady just ahead of me asked
me why I was doing it. I gave a few answers along the line of exercise, nice view..... She still kept on asking me. I explained
my real reason and she became quite angry and didn't speak again.
When I first told people I would be away walking in Spain, they asked why so long and why Spain. I mentioned the Camino.
Some had heard of it others hadn't. Inevitably there would be the question why. Most I fobbed off with either it's cheap, it's
scenic, it's time away from work. Some people were more persistent. But why ? Eventually I told some of them. Most looked
a little confused, but one said "You can't say that. That's not a valid reason". I'm still trying to figure that response out.
We can walk for whatever reason we want.
Arn. When I read your post my mind immediately went to Dom Bede Jarrett's little book No Abiding City. "But supposing all the
time we had known that we were just pilgrims ( journeying ). That here we have no abiding city. If we remember this we will not
be so easily hurt by life"
Has anyone else had the experience of trying to explain your plans to do the camino and getting a response of "Oh, that's nice" and give you a look like you've lost your marbles??? It is frustrating and a bit sad. I feel so alone and am so glad to have this forum where there are other people who have also apparently lost their marbles! It is so important to me and I guess I want everyone around me to be as excited. I guess in a way I have already started my solo camino and should just use this time to look within and focus on why I am doing it. I think from now on I am not going to talk to anyone about it (except for one new aquaintance who has done it). It's a personal journey and most importantly of all, for me, a spiritual one between me and my God. I don't have to shout it from the rooftops and expect others to have the same level of enthusiasm.
I'd love to hear other people's experiences in regards to this.
Blessings and Buen Camino
Jen
I don't think that it is generally well known in the UK and certainly wasn't amongst my friends and acquaintances before I did it.
I'm starting my first Camino in April. When I try and explain to people what I am doing the response is almost always 'oh, you doing it for charity'? and the look of disdain I get when I say no!
As I read the replies (thanks to everybody!) I think maybe part of my thoghts and feelings have to do with what I think about myself. I think subconsciously or even consciously I am saying to myself: What are you doing? Are you crazy? Can you really do it? Maybe what I've been looking for in response from those close to me is: YES You can do it! Perhaps it's a lack of confidence or low self-esteem and I am just seeking validation. Maybe that's the reson I'm drawn to the camino - to do something that will get me out of that rut.
Blessings and buen camino!
Jen
L-o-v-e that quote. thank you mucho . will have to research book nowAs a preparation for my Santiago pilgrimage I walked up Croagh Patrick in September. A lady just ahead of me asked
me why I was doing it. I gave a few answers along the line of exercise, nice view..... She still kept on asking me. I explained
my real reason and she became quite angry and didn't speak again.
When I first told people I would be away walking in Spain, they asked why so long and why Spain. I mentioned the Camino.
Some had heard of it others hadn't. Inevitably there would be the question why. Most I fobbed off with either it's cheap, it's
scenic, it's time away from work. Some people were more persistent. But why ? Eventually I told some of them. Most looked
a little confused, but one said "You can't say that. That's not a valid reason". I'm still trying to figure that response out.
We can walk for whatever reason we want.
Arn. When I read your post my mind immediately went to Dom Bede Jarrett's little book No Abiding City. "But supposing all the
time we had known that we were just pilgrims ( journeying ). That here we have no abiding city. If we remember this we will not
be so easily hurt by life"
As I read the replies (thanks to everybody!) I think maybe part of my thoghts and feelings have to do with what I think about myself. I think subconsciously or even consciously I am saying to myself: What are you doing? Are you crazy? Can you really do it? Maybe what I've been looking for in response from those close to me is: YES You can do it! Perhaps it's a lack of confidence or low self-esteem and I am just seeking validation. Maybe that's the reson I'm drawn to the camino - to do something that will get me out of that rut.
Blessings and buen camino!
Jen
As I read the replies (thanks to everybody!) I think maybe part of my thoghts and feelings have to do with what I think about myself. I think subconsciously or even consciously I am saying to myself: What are you doing? Are you crazy? Can you really do it? Maybe what I've been looking for in response from those close to me is: YES You can do it! Perhaps it's a lack of confidence or low self-esteem and I am just seeking validation. Maybe that's the reson I'm drawn to the camino - to do something that will get me out of that rut.
Blessings and buen camino!
Jen
Had mixed reactions from friends,but family knew of my long held dream.Half way through my first Camino I had an injury,and had to stop for 2weeks,and when I told some people the reaction I got was"we knew you couldn'tdo it,and we all thought you were stupid to even try".Needless to say that spurred me on to ccomplete the Camino, and I realised that the camino is a personal choice that you can never explain to closed minds."Walk the way" you will remember and treasure it forever.GodBless and Buen Camino.Has anyone else had the experience of trying to explain your plans to do the camino and getting a response of "Oh, that's nice" and give you a look like you've lost your marbles??? It is frustrating and a bit sad. I feel so alone and am so glad to have this forum where there are other people who have also apparently lost their marbles! It is so important to me and I guess I want everyone around me to be as excited. I guess in a way I have already started my solo camino and should just use this time to look within and focus on why I am doing it. I think from now on I am not going to talk to anyone about it (except for one new aquaintance who has done it). It's a personal journey and most importantly of all, for me, a spiritual one between me and my God. I don't have to shout it from the rooftops and expect others to have the same level of enthusiasm.
I'd love to hear other people's experiences in regards to this.
Blessings and Buen Camino
Jen
Here's the thing about trying to explain the Camino beforehand. This is an experience with several dimensions. There is the travel dimension, which is relatively easy to explain because most people have had some sort of travel experience to relate to. And then there is the spiritual dimension, which is more difficult to explain for the opposite reason -- and because discussions of spiritual matters are really rather rare these days. That sort of conversation requires an honesty, an introspection, and a special sort of person as listener.Has anyone else had the experience of ....
As I read the replies (thanks to everybody!) I think maybe part of my thoghts and feelings have to do with what I think about myself. I think subconsciously or even consciously I am saying to myself: What are you doing? Are you crazy? Can you really do it? Maybe what I've been looking for in response from those close to me is: YES You can do it! Perhaps it's a lack of confidence or low self-esteem and I am just seeking validation. Maybe that's the reson I'm drawn to the camino - to do something that will get me out of that rut.
Blessings and buen camino!
Jen
The Dr is IN: Growing up I had, outside of my immediate family, few "friends". I had plenty of acquaintances, but few friends.
As I matured (no laughing here), I found that the best place to find true friends is that place where you and they enjoy being at: Boy Scouts, Sports, Church, Fratority (we weren't allowed to form greek societies), Marine Corps, the Camino.
Interestingly, it was in the Corps that I came face to face as to why it's not a good thing to establish true friendships, but rather acquaintances. My best buddy from home, Eddy, enlisted with me. Ultimately we both ended up in Vietnam and were able to work it so we would be home at the same time, before going on to our next assignment. I got home about two weeks before Eddy. He was killed two days before he was to come home.
It's a funny thing about "best friends" along with them you also often adopt each other's family.
I was told by my mom and dad at about 3 o'clock in the morning, and I immediately rushed over to his house.
As always, I entered their kitchen through the back door.
The kitchen was full of family and friends, including Eddy's sister. When she saw me, she rushed into my arms and began crying anew. Looking over her shoulder, I saw Eddy's mom (my mom too) enter the room. When she saw me she said, "Why not you!"
Moral to the story: having a real friend is like giving a name to a chicken. Once the yokes have been passed around, the whites worked into the cake and their producing days are passed...it's so difficult to roast "Sally". Better to just call them chickens.
On the Camino you will meet many, many folks that will fall into the categories of friend, or acquaintance. You have already found yourselves attracted to the same thing, though possibly for different reasons. You may never have met before, but there's a connection others may not understand.
Oh, one last thing: You know how often I harangue folks for not removing those "might needs" from their pack to lighten their load. I carry Ida and Eddy with me everywhere and especially on Camino because although they may weigh heavily on my heart...their memories do lighten my load.
Hi Jen D, my wife and I encounter the same experiences as yourself, and coming from the UK we very often have the remark of "thats nice" or plain old "Oh" (a very English way of being polite but not having an inkling as to why you should undertake such torture) As for your faith, it is difficult to pass on to others who do not share in your experience (as they say faith is a gift of God) I believe the camino has to be experienced in its entirety to understand the blessings poured out while walking it. We have met many people from all religous and cultural backgrounds and we can all share in the fellowship and community which builds a great bond. Truly a gift from God. Buen CaminoHas anyone else had the experience of trying to explain your plans to do the camino and getting a response of "Oh, that's nice" and give you a look like you've lost your marbles??? It is frustrating and a bit sad. I feel so alone and am so glad to have this forum where there are other people who have also apparently lost their marbles! It is so important to me and I guess I want everyone around me to be as excited. I guess in a way I have already started my solo camino and should just use this time to look within and focus on why I am doing it. I think from now on I am not going to talk to anyone about it (except for one new aquaintance who has done it). It's a personal journey and most importantly of all, for me, a spiritual one between me and my God. I don't have to shout it from the rooftops and expect others to have the same level of enthusiasm.
I'd love to hear other people's experiences in regards to this.
Blessings and Buen Camino
Jen
It is funny, I sometimes don't understand myself why I am going to do it. The camino is just "calling" me.........
And name your chickens. Always name your chickens.
Yes, the mind is powerful. In ways we do not yet understand. I'll share a story with you:I sometimes have some rather odd signs that my loves are watching out for me--ways of knowing, some small coincidence, or a blue heron flying up right in front of me. A flock of geese, the Canadian honkers. I have natural signs that connect me to my loves.
I most definitely would like to hear more about this.Been on the other side. Killed in Action September 10, 1970 in the Mekong Delta. Most "Real" thing that ever occurred in my life. Other than going to the church in Santiago, I have not been to a church service after my death in the U Minh Forest.
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