MCFearnley
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Ponferrada to Santiago (September 2016)
When heard about the shooting at the mosque in Québec City last week, I knew I wanted to do something to extend my condolences to the Islamic community. It was cold on Monday, but I bundled up and walked from my home to the Islamic Cultural Centre and Mosque in my town to lay flowers at their door. The walk there and back was 10 km. I chose to walk instead of taking the car. For some reason taking the car would have been too expedient. Walking on the Camino taught me about the intentionality of taking the time to do something that is important. This mini pilgrimage gave me time to think about what I was doing an why I was doing it. It gave me time to think about my own attitudes towards the "other", the good, the bad, and the ugly. It gave me time to think. I did not leave the house with flowers in my hand, but as it turned out, there was a florist shop on my way. I did not know that it was there as I rarely ever pass that way. Like I have often read here, the Camino provides. Not just in Spain, but anytime we are open to receiving its gifts long after we have come home.