Walking in beauty

[VNwalking]

There is a long and beautiful Navaho blessing that ends with:
"May their roads home be on the trail of peace,
Happily may they all return,
In beauty I walk.
With beauty before me, I walk.
With beauty behind me, I walk.
With beauty above and about me, I walk.
It is finished in beauty. "

This time of year, so many of us are headed out to the Camino, this trail of peace. It's such a beautiful thing.
And something @Robo said on another thread really resonated with me so I wanted to share it.
He was (partly) joking about dropping off a donation for the wonderful Bombeiros at Burguette who rescue so many distressed peregrinos in the nearby mountains, saying:

Maybe we can start a 'trend' of little envelopes being dropped off

It got me thinking. Because it's not just the bombeiros! And imagining walking down the way, dropping off little envelopes here there and everywhere was such a happy thought. (Full disclosure, I come from a spiritual tradition that says "To be generous in giving — this is the greatest blessing.")
So what Rob said got me reflecting about generosity as being a way for us all to walk knee-deep in beauty —
And about how so much of the magic of the Camino is about generosity, both practical generosity and generosity of heart.
And especially about how it can't be said often enough (or loudly enough) that donativo does not mean free.

So thanks, @Robo - you just gave me the theme and intention for my little walk this year:
If I stay at a donativo, to be as open-handedly generous in my donation as I can. These are rare and precious places in this money-grubbing world, about love and sharing rather than excessive profit. And they survive on our kindness.
And if I visit a place that offers support to us pilgrims (like Pilgrim House or Egeria House), to respond practically, with a something to keep them going.
Same here on the Forum...

And to (try, anyway.....) to find the generosity of heart that lets go of how things or people 'should be' and offers respect and kindness, no matter what. (The practical generosity is easy baby steps to this last one...which is so much harder!)

As we head out the door now or soon...may we all walk in beauty, spreading it everywhere we go.
Buen Camino, everyone!

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

This is so well said.

To give something back is one off the main reasons for me to be a volonteer in Santiago
In 3 weeks it begins , I 'am so looking forward to that.
Meeting so much nice people thats what it's al about.
Wish you all a wonderful and respectful Camino and stay safe.

 

[Becky 59]

Thank you for your post, @VNwalking . My first Camino starts in 6 weeks (but who's counting?)

 

[VNwalking]

Buen Camino, Becky!

To give something back is one off the main reasons for me to be a volonteer in Santiago

Wonderful! How long will you be there, Peter?

 

[Former member 49149]

There is a long and beautiful Navaho blessing that ends with:
"May their roads home be on the trail of peace,
Happily may they all return,
In beauty I walk.
With beauty before me, I walk.
With beauty behind me, I walk.
With beauty above and about me, I walk.
It is finished in beauty. "

This time of year, so many of us are headed out to the Camino, this trail of peace. It's such a beautiful thing.
And something @Robo said on another thread really resonated with me so I wanted to share it.
He was (partly) joking about dropping off a donation for the wonderful Bombeiros at Burguette who rescue so many distressed peregrinos in the nearby mountains, saying:


It got me thinking. Because it's not just the bombeiros! And imagining walking down the way, dropping off little envelopes here there and everywhere was such a happy thought. (Full disclosure, I come from a spiritual tradition that says "To be generous in giving — this is the greatest blessing.")
So what Rob said got me reflecting about generosity as being a way for us all to walk knee-deep in beauty —
And about how so much of the magic of the Camino is about generosity, both practical generosity and generosity of heart.
And especially about how it can't be said often enough (or loudly enough) that donativo does not mean free.

So thanks, @Robo - you just gave me the theme and intention for my little walk this year:
If I stay at a donativo, to be as open-handedly generous in my donation as I can. These are rare and precious places in this money-grubbing world, about love and sharing rather than excessive profit. And they survive on our kindness.
And if I visit a place that offers support to us pilgrims (like Pilgrim House or Egeria House), to respond practically, with a something to keep them going.
Same here on the Forum...

And to (try, anyway.....) to find the generosity of heart that lets go of how things or people 'should be' and offers respect and kindness, no matter what. (The practical generosity is easy baby steps to this last one...which is so much harder!)

As we head out the door now or soon...may we all walk in beauty, spreading it everywhere we go.
Buen Camino, everyone!

Thanks, vnwalking, for your heartfelt contribution to a positive energy stream.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Buen Camino, Becky!

Wonderful! How long will you be there, Peter?

From 20th.April till 4th.May in the huiskamer and I will go home the 7th.

 

[Maiz]

This is so well said.

To give something back is one off the main reasons for me to be a volonteer in Santiago
In 3 weeks it begins , I 'am so looking forward to that.
Meeting so much nice people thats what it's al about.
Wish you all a wonderful and respectful Camino and stay safe.

Peter and VN - my sentiments also regarding the generosity of spirit and service with kindness. I touched the like button in your posts without really checking and on looking at it again I saw it was showing 'unlike' . This is just to say I am on the same wavelength and meant to express 'LIKE'. Blessings to you both and Looking forward to meeting wonderful pilgrims! Buen Camino

 

[Jean & Claude]

This is so well said.

To give something back is one off the main reasons for me to be a volonteer in Santiago
In 3 weeks it begins , I 'am so looking forward to that.
Meeting so much nice people thats what it's al about.
Wish you all a wonderful and respectful Camino and stay safe.

Peter, you sound like such a nice man... I’m sure you brighten the day of each Pilgrim who you meet. Cheers and have a wonderful time in Santiago.

 

[VNwalking]

I touched the like button in your posts without really checking and on looking at it again I saw it was showing 'unlike' .

@Maiz, that just means that the like has gone through. But if you have second thoughts and don't like the post anymore, just hit 'Unlike'

May you brighten the way with your kind presence....buen camino!

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Peter, you sound like such a nice man... I’m sure you brighten the day of each Pilgrim who you meet. Cheers and have a wonderful time in Santiago.

Hi Jean-Claude , you should have a talk with my wife Marianne and she would tell you that I'm not always nice .

Wish you well , Peter .

 

[Bodi]

I agree @VNwalking , the practical side of generosity is simple. I like how you said, "try to find the generosity of heart that lets go of how people or things should be..." One of my good friends always reminds me that you never know what other people are going through or what "baggage" they are carrying, so being generous of heart is so important, but not always easy. Buen camino to you and @Peter Fransiscus.

 

[Iriebabel]

There is a long and beautiful Navaho blessing that ends with:
"May their roads home be on the trail of peace,
Happily may they all return,
In beauty I walk.
With beauty before me, I walk.
With beauty behind me, I walk.
With beauty above and about me, I walk.
It is finished in beauty. "

This time of year, so many of us are headed out to the Camino, this trail of peace. It's such a beautiful thing.
And something @Robo said on another thread really resonated with me so I wanted to share it.
He was (partly) joking about dropping off a donation for the wonderful Bombeiros at Burguette who rescue so many distressed peregrinos in the nearby mountains, saying:


It got me thinking. Because it's not just the bombeiros! And imagining walking down the way, dropping off little envelopes here there and everywhere was such a happy thought. (Full disclosure, I come from a spiritual tradition that says "To be generous in giving — this is the greatest blessing.")
So what Rob said got me reflecting about generosity as being a way for us all to walk knee-deep in beauty —
And about how so much of the magic of the Camino is about generosity, both practical generosity and generosity of heart.
And especially about how it can't be said often enough (or loudly enough) that donativo does not mean free.

So thanks, @Robo - you just gave me the theme and intention for my little walk this year:
If I stay at a donativo, to be as open-handedly generous in my donation as I can. These are rare and precious places in this money-grubbing world, about love and sharing rather than excessive profit. And they survive on our kindness.
And if I visit a place that offers support to us pilgrims (like Pilgrim House or Egeria House), to respond practically, with a something to keep them going.
Same here on the Forum...

And to (try, anyway.....) to find the generosity of heart that lets go of how things or people 'should be' and offers respect and kindness, no matter what. (The practical generosity is easy baby steps to this last one...which is so much harder!)

As we head out the door now or soon...may we all walk in beauty, spreading it everywhere we go.
Buen Camino, everyone!

Thanks your for your posting a brilliant idea! I arrived in Spain last night after a day in pamplona I will get to SJPDP on saturday

 

[Maiz]

@Maiz, that just means that the like has gone through. But if you have second thoughts and don't like the post anymore, just hit 'Unlike'

May you brighten the way with your kind presence....buen camino!

Thanks for enlightening me VNwalking. You can see i have not participated in forums! I am going to enjoy the Camino meeting wonderful people that are on this forum. Buen Camino

 

[Kanga]

Great post @VNwalking. And may the flowers turn their faces towards you as you float past on your walk.

 

[VNwalking]

Thanks your for your posting a brilliant idea! I arrived in Spain last night after a day in pamplona I will get to SJPDP on saturday

And may the flowers turn their faces towards you as you float past on your walk.

Hahaha, @Kanga! Sadly, I'm only capable of plodding. I can hope that I don't crush too many flowers along the way though.

 

[peregrina2000]

These are rare and precious places in this money-grubbing world, about love and sharing rather than excessive profit.

I don't want to embarrass you, VN, but I think this line describes you just as much as it describes the donativos. Which leads me to my most recent great idea -- have you ever thought of leading groups, doing what you do but on the Camino?

 

[VNwalking]

I don't want to embarrass you, VN, but I think this line describes you just as much as it describes the donativos. Which leads me to my most recent great idea -- have you ever thought of leading groups, doing what you do but on the Camino?

Hmmmmmm. Well, I am embarrassed, but so should you be, Laurie, because it describes you, too.
About the rest - well, let me get back to you. (I'm busy today but will send you a PM when I have a chance.)

 

[natefaith]

We appreciate you, VN! You are always a gentle presence when you "float" into town. And you give great hugs. Look forward to seeing you in July! Enjoy the Ingles!