Slow Down, Walk Lightly

I was up and on my way before sunrise. It was day 2 of the English Way Camino walk.  Blue and orangy-pink sky and a peaceful mix of birds, crickets, and quiet.   The day before, I had spent the afternoon fidgeting, moving…going here and there, to town and back to the albergue, stretching, sitting on the dock, moving again.  Trying to find relaxation, trying to occupy myself without my phone or music or another human. Telling myself that doing nothing was what I needed while reminding myself it was okay to simply be.

In hindsight, it was day 1 of a full detox from the business and distraction I had filled my life with.  I was unskilled at slowing down enough to just be. I thought I understood presence—had certainly glimpsed it before—but that day was the beautiful beginning of truly learning what it means to slow down and inhabit the present moment.

And so, on the second day of walking, still unaware of how much “doing detoxing” I had left to do, I headed out with my usual Susan Morgan Bailey enthusiasm…ready for the day. A woman I would later learn was named Krystyna, was nearby and we were both feeling lost almost right away.  The trail markers weren’t clear leaving the albergue.  As we somewhat anxiously made our way on what we thought was the right path, I remembered the passage I had read in my morning meditation book.   Lighten up…walk lightly, it said. Trust the journey as you go.

I then asked the universe for a sign that we were on the right path and moments later I rounded a corner and happened upon a huge snail crossing the path in front of me and I wondered…”is that my sign?” Just then, a song sparrow flew right past my head and landed along the path just below eye level and seemed to stare right at me as if to say…”Do I need to make it any clearer? Slow down, walk lightly, have fun today.” 

A message that settled in deeper each day.  A message to remember each day no matter where I am in the world. 

This walk through this life is a gift.  Don’t hurry through it.  Slow down, be present to all that is offered.  Walk lightly.  Carry less stuff – physically and mentally – and don’t be a burden to the environment by consuming less.  Smile and enjoy the gift of this moment. With grace, a whole day of delight lies ahead.