Camino Gratitude

Camino solitude and peace ended at 9 am, as 300 high school students filed out of buses ahead of me. In addition to students, I passed thousands of “new” pilgrims, dropped off in large buses, walking their first Camino day. There were days in the Meseta when I would see less than 8 people all day! Also, the weather was overcast with rain all afternoon. If anyone is interested in walking only part of the Camino, consider any part of the first 700 km versus the last 100 km.

I decided to change focus today to answer, “what I have learned on Camino?” After miles of deliberation and thought, I had two answers – God loves each of us unconditionally, and ultimately our life will be judged on how we loved others.

Viktor Frankl wrote “The truth is that love is the ultimate and highest goal to which man can aspire. The salvation of man is through love and in love. Love finds its deepest meaning in his spiritual being, his inner self. We need to bring joy to others to make life. No one can become fully aware of the very essence of another human being unless he loves him, to see the traits, features, and potential in the beloved person. The meaning of life is to help others find the meaning of theirs.”