Have you ever been humbled?

[rector]

• Last year I started a thread about Cleanagrenos, those who start in Sarria. My reason was simple, after walking from St Jean we felt grubby and weather-beaten and seeing all those neatly clad pilgrims making their shorter journey filled us with angst. The only satisfaction we achieved was because we have walked that way twice and had, perhaps a slightly superior attitude. We had after all endured much in rain and sun, hills and valleys on our two Frances.
• Fast forward to this year. We were the Cleanagrenos, all that we could fit in, in a very packed year, and we really enjoyed it. We had decided to do it coming in to Autumn and it was lovely just like Mummy Bear's porridge it was not too hot, not too cold and we had no blisters, it was great and more of a holiday than a pilgrimage and we were clean.
• Until, that is Lavacola, yes I said Lavacola, It had been raining a bit for two days, but if you come from Northern Ireland you are very used to rain, wrong! The rain came down and the floods came up, so did the manhole covers as they blew with the pressure of the rain, we were walking in two to three inches of water it was up to our ankles. So a decision had to be taken, it was dangerous on all sorts of levels and a taxi was called from the coffee shop, by a wonderful owner.
• There is one good thing though, we will have to fly back to Santiago and finish it very humbly, any suggestions were we should start?

 

[grayland]

Since you are now humbled..I suggest you start in LePuy and walk 1600 km to make up for your earlier less than noble thoughts.

 

[wayfarer]

Since you are now humbled..I suggest you start in LePuy and walk 1600 km to make up for your earlier less than noble thoughts.

 

[rector]

We have a saying in our part of the woods which covers your comment but I cannot use it on this site, but thanks for the suggestion. I would really love to do it and though I am past retirement age I still have a job which would not permit the 12-16 weeks required, but I will file it under perhaps.

 

[wayfarer]

It was grayland who suggested the walk rector, I just enjoyed how it was phrased. No offence meant.

 

[zzotte]

I totally agree with Grayland

 

[CaminoDebrita]

I made many comments, but have decided to just say that humility is always a very good thing!

 

[JennyH94]

Hi rector -
Why not start in Sarria (to atone for your uncharitable thoughts ) and then continue out to Finisterre and Muxia. Have a couple of rest days in Santiago on the way out to Finisterre - do a few of the lesser visited tourist attractions in Santiago such as the wonderful art gallery, have a leisurely lunch in the market etc etc.
Best wishes and Buen Camino for 2016 -
Cheers - Jenny

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I may be thinking of a different definition of "humbled," but it can be avoided if climbing on a high horse is avoided. Accept cleaning up for what it is, and it will never bring you low. You just do the best you can; you can't change the world.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Walk from Lavacolla, picking up the litter all along the Way. That'll atone for all, and make you truly "clean-agrinos!"

 

[rector]

Walk from Lavacolla, picking up the litter all along the Way. That'll atone for all, and make you truly "clean-agrinos!"

It is only Rebakah, because I respect your wisdom, that I find your suggestion the most attractive, the lack of common charity amongst some of the other commentators leaves one aghast that they have claimed to have ever been on a pilgrimage and looked into their souls and seen the flaws in their own lives, tut tut tut.

 

[C clearly]

the lack of common charity amongst some of the other commentators

It seemed to me that there was a bit of good-natured teasing, in line with the original post. I don't think anyone intended offense!

 

[SYates]

As for being humbled, I always remind myself of these saying:

Make sure that your words are sweet, one day you might have to eat them!

And I have to confess that I had to eat them frequently, both the sweet and the not so sweet ones. SY

 

[Icacos]

.........the lack of common charity amongst some of the other commentators leaves one aghast that they have claimed to have ever been on a pilgrimage ........

I read this as being very much tongue in cheek. @rector, may I go pick litter with you? We can pass comments on those pilgrims who don't stop to help.

 

[CaminoDebrita]

As for being humbled, I always remind myself of these saying:

Make sure that your words are sweet, one day you might have to eat them!

And I have to confess that I had to eat them frequently, both the sweet and the not so sweet ones. SY

Oh, the sweet, sweet taste of humble pie! I've eaten PLENTY of that, too. Don't worry, we are all very human and very, very imperfect.

 

[Urban Trekker]

"Have you ever been humbled"

My chosen career path was one with a high risk of injury or death, 25 years in the Navy and 17 years in corrections. My wife of 40 years was always supportive and never once complained. On the day I retired she said to me "I worried that every time you left you would not come home". THAT was humbling.

Never be quick to judge others. Admitting to being humbled and why after walking in others shoes shows character. I hope we meet some day on the camino. Buen Camino

Happy Trails

 

[rector]

It seemed to me that there was a bit of good-natured teasing, in line with the original post. I don't think anyone intended offense!

Believe me my tongue has been firmly in my cheek since I started this and I am really just trying out my new apple

 

[rector]

"Have you ever been humbled"

My chosen career path was one with a high risk of injury or death, 25 years in the Navy and 17 years in corrections. My wife of 40 years was always supportive and never once complained. On the day I retired she said to me "I worried that every time you left you would not come home". THAT was humbling.

Never be quick to judge others. Admitting to being humbled and why after walking in others shoes shows character. I hope we meet some day on the camino. Buen Camino

Happy Trails

We have in our lives and careers walked very similar paths, but my wife loves the challenge every bit as much as me

 

[wayfarer]

Believe me my tongue has been firmly in my cheek since I started this and I am really just trying out my new apple

I am very glad, I thought for a while there that I had offended you, which was never my intention.

 

[Deleted member 43985]

Oh, the sweet, sweet taste of humble pie! I've eaten PLENTY of that, too. Don't worry, we are all very human and very, very imperfect.

Oh what I would give for a slice of humble pie....... I inevitably end up with crow

 

[C clearly]

Believe me my tongue has been firmly in my cheek since I started this and I am really just trying out my new apple

The image of tongue-in-cheek and an apple had me puzzled for a moment too!

 

[rector]

The image of tongue-in-cheek and an apple had me puzzled for a moment too!

With a mouth as large as mine it is quite amazing what I can get in there, I have on occasion managed my own feet

 

[Devon Mike]

As for being humbled, I always remind myself of these saying:

Make sure that your words are sweet, one day you might have to eat them!

And I have to confess that I had to eat them frequently, both the sweet and the not so sweet ones. SY

Love this saying, never heard it before.

 

[lunna]

I sense there's a bit of competitiveness here, couched in 'tongue in cheek.' Walking ain't competition. I never understood this 'need' to walk every step, or a feeling of embarassment if one, for some reason or other didn't/couldn't, do so. This isn't about being macho. Just enjoy and do what you can, basta. (For what it's worth, I have walked every step of my three caminos, and I still feel this way)....

 

[C clearly]

I sense there's a bit of competitiveness here, couched in 'tongue in cheek.

You mean we should stop trying to be the most humble?

 

[t2andreo]

Short answer: "I am continuously humbled, always and every day, whilst on Camino..."

Explanation: I am continually amazed by how many people, older, more infirm, or with other physical or emotional challenges that me, who do Camino every day, every year. Their perseverance humbles my efforts. I am thankful for their example, and I seek to emulate them in everything I do, both at home and while on Camino.

Now, back at home, I am facing some new medical issues that could limit my mobility. I am seeing necessary doctors and specialists to address each issue aggressively, staring this week. However, whenever I think about scheduling treatment, or even possible surgical options, I continually reflect on the effect on my ability to make pilgrimage this year, and to once again volunteer at Santiago.

The previous comment about being humbled continuously while on Camino keeps coming to mind. The thoughts and memories bolster my determination to "git er done," and buy a ticket to Spain... After all...Mi corazón está en Santiago...

So, yes, I am BOTH humbled and encouraged...ULTREIA!

 

[Anna Powell]

• Last year I started a thread about Cleanagrenos, those who start in Sarria. My reason was simple, after walking from St Jean we felt grubby and weather-beaten and seeing all those neatly clad pilgrims making their shorter journey filled us with angst. The only satisfaction we achieved was because we have walked that way twice and had, perhaps a slightly superior attitude. We had after all endured much in rain and sun, hills and valleys on our two Frances.
• Fast forward to this year. We were the Cleanagrenos, all that we could fit in, in a very packed year, and we really enjoyed it. We had decided to do it coming in to Autumn and it was lovely just like Mummy Bear's porridge it was not too hot, not too cold and we had no blisters, it was great and more of a holiday than a pilgrimage and we were clean.
• Until, that is Lavacola, yes I said Lavacola, It had been raining a bit for two days, but if you come from Northern Ireland you are very used to rain, wrong! The rain came down and the floods came up, so did the manhole covers as they blew with the pressure of the rain, we were walking in two to three inches of water it was up to our ankles. So a decision had to be taken, it was dangerous on all sorts of levels and a taxi was called from the coffee shop, by a wonderful owner.
• There is one good thing though, we will have to fly back to Santiago and finish it very humbly, any suggestions were we should start?

well, I've heard that truly repentant pilgrims do the walk with peas in their shoes. They might not be repentant when they start but I expect they very much are by the end of the first day.....

 

[rector]

I think that I should come clean, whilst I did have those feelings, I don't think they are that different from those of many people when they are tired and wondering what a second third or more camino was really about. I do however feel that the very ability to be able to do that at my age is truly a gift. In my day job I come in contact with many at my age who could never, because of illness or self esteem problems, consider doing what all of on this forum do. I am humbled because of the gift of health and a fair degree of fitness, and financial health that permits this indulgence.
Can I say that to those who are doing this for the first time, grab it, do it, enjoy it, but always do it from a humble perspective

 

[Devon Mike]

well, I've heard that truly repentant pilgrims do the walk with peas in their shoes. They might not be repentant when they start but I expect they very much are by the end of the first day.....

I have never considered keeping my food in my shoes....

 

[rector]

I have never considered keeping my food in my shoes....

Perhaps they could not wait for the next tree to dash behind!

 

[Devon Mike]

Perhaps they could not wait for the next tree to dash behind!

 

[Icacos]

Perhaps they could not wait for the next tree to dash behind!

Okay, I've been hoping someone would ask for clarification. So, now I am ......... Please!

 

[Rob the Slob]

Okay, I've been hoping someone would ask for clarification. So, now I am ......... Please!

It's a play on words, using the homonyms "pea" and "pee".

 

[Icacos]

It's a play on words, using the homonyms "pea" and "pee".

Okay! Slow on the uptake...