Why can’t two people who love each other so very much, not simply be together? I’ve seen it yesterday and was confronted with it myself again today. Does it mean the love is just not strong enough? Is it that we just finished our business together and should move on to new lessons? Then why should there always be a lesson attached? People should be able to be together because they love each other, no strings attached. Who decides if two people can and should be together, and how does one know whom one should be with? Is it all just a matter of choice, or is there really a plan behind all of it?
I’m sorry to bother you with all this, but if you want to know what it’s like to be walking in silence all day, I have to share this with you. I had hoped all would fall off me once I was on my way. That I would feel the freedom I really have. Nothing turns out to be less true. It is incredibly hard to surrender to the unknown of the future. It is possible I feel it. But I also feel the surrender is walking just one step ahead of me, all the time.
“Just give it some time”, a wise woman would say. However true that is, I feel the urge to push towards a certain outcome of all that I’m going through. Knowing what I want, I wish I could fast forward time and live the outcome already. But of course, that would ruin all. Not only my trip, my life’s adventure, but also the surprise that’s called life. It will never be as planned or thought, that I know. Having said that, I would give all I have to right some of my wrongs, and since all I have now is time, I’d better give it lovingly.
Physically all is well. The pack starts to feel more a blessing than a curse and I’ve got only one blister so far. I do miss some comfort of a house, a fridge, a couch, the company of my friends and so on, but I’m well taken care off. As I’m walking the Camino my new friend (see photo) greets me everywhere. He’s not speaking much, but he hangs in there. Yesterday I was invited by Nicole. She worked in the bar I was having a beer and did not think it was a good idea of me to sleep in the woods. So she offered me her couch and made me früstuck in the morning. That was lovely, thank you Nicole!
I’m on my way south to Aachen, where I hope to be Thursday or Friday, and then start my way east into the heart of Germany. I still hope to meet some of you along my way. Feel free to contact me whenever you like.
Thank you for sharing, your words are beautiful, comforting, wise and like a confirmation to me. I wish you a wonder full journey
Mooi gezegd Thomas :). Ik heb er nog steeds bewondering voor dat je aan deze reis begonnen bent. Heel veel succes met je verdere reis.
Your words are a sign of the freedom you are living. Maybe freedom isn’t without pain, maybe it’s an inherent part of it? You choose not to be a victim of life, not to flee from the pain. It seems to me you are searching for a way to live the freedom life is offering you, to live life completely, to its fullest way. Pain is a part of that. But not the only one!
It is really nice that you are taking this time out for yourself by walking. On this journey you will find out a lot of things about yourself that will surprise you. Learn from it. You are right sometimes we want to fast forward life to experience a particular event, we have to wait it out as the result may be the same but the experience and the lesson maybe different. Wishing you success on your journey.
A very nice read, thank you. When you arrive in Aachen, you should pay a visit to the Bilal mosque, a unique place in the history of European Islam. I am sure that they will receive you courteously when you explain the noble goals of your journey.
http://www.izaachen.de
Thomas, wat je schrijft kan ik heel goed begrijpen.
Ik heb afgelopen jaar het laatste deel naar Santiago gelopen. Grote stukken alleen en in stilte. Na een tijdje wordt het ook in je hoofd stil. Kijk maar wat er op je pad komt. Verwonder je. Vraag je niet te veel af. Laat maar komen wat er komt.
Goede tocht wens ik je en ik lees het wel weer.
Thomas,
What an inspiring goal. I wish you a beautiful trip. Enjoy the road, the walk, the locations and the people you are going to meet. Keep safe.
dear Thomas, might it be that life questions want to be lived in stead of being analysed to find answers????? But it is wonderful to read how you question your experience. I have deep respect for you and your journey, both Camino and Inside.
Love, Indu