Day 5 – A New Song is Expanding and Leading my Heart
Today (December 4, 2018) as I have been contemplating the close of yet another year on my Life Journey and feeling such gratitude for the joys and blessings of 2018, I was swept into the sweetness of nostalgia and inspired to follow my Soul-prints back to my Camino Walk in Spain. Reading my Journal entry for May 10, 2017 I was transported in time and geography again to experience the colors, smells, tastes, sounds and feelings that day. The sunrise was again calling me forth on the 5th day of my Walk, the old churches on the plaza were illuminated in golden light, and the air permeated my whole being with the freshness and fragrance of moist air and damp earth from the gentle overnight soaking of rain.
There seemed to be a new song beginning to rise in my heart this morning, not tied to any old familiar tune (though entwined in ancient tonal roots) – something exciting, being born anew from all my earth walk experiences. It made me want to slow down, be still, and listen closer, letting its Essence soak more completely into to my being, like the plants and the earth drinking in the life-giving and renewing rain. As the three of us (my sister, our friend and I) left the outskirts of Frómista and crossed the pedestrian bridge over the freeway, we passed another image of Saint James with his staff and Pilgrim heart pointing our Way and blessing us for this day’s adventure.
Our next night’s destination was Carrión de los Condes, about 13.3 miles via a slightly longer “green route” which took us away from the busy highway and through more lush farmland, expansive wheat fields, and along side long hedges of bright yellow and orange wild roses. The song that was a spark in my heart when I rose this morning was reignited by another Pilgrim, the singing Frenchman, who accompanied us as we left town. I was again inspired to “take it slow” and enjoy every aspect of this day’s gifts as I observed the sparkling trails and painstaking progress of numerous snails traveling our same path today! Like all the Pilgrims we met (including ourselves), they were carrying all the necessities of life (at least for that day) on their backs – another reminder to me to continue to lighten my load of all that no longer nourishes or supports my earth journey to experience happiness and well-being on a daily basis.
With this New Song in my heart today, I was more open and receptive to the magic of this place and the Journey itself. Being in such a totally unfamiliar country, culture, and environment seemed to float me out of the “normal” time/dimension-stream too. It was as though I could be anyone, a magnificent and magical being, in the most exciting fantasy epic story of my own making! Look at this wonderful little fairy haven that surely came straight out of The Shire, the perfect Hobbit home tucked away into the hillside.
On arrival to Carrión de los Condes midafternoon, we immediately made our way to the Iglesia de la Santa Maria to see if we could secure 3 beds for the night – this is the home of the famous Singing Nuns. Unfortunately there was only 1 bed left (which made one young man very happy when we told him if he hurried it could be his), so we found accommodations in the large convent, Espiritu Santo, a block away [where we were reminded to Trust (Confra) in the Divine Order of everything]. A very short walk brought as us back to join the sing-along with the nuns followed by a beautiful Pilgrim Blessing service at the main church (described below in my Journal excerpt). At the sing along, we were delighted to reconnect with our gentleman roommate from the previous night, Andy from Texas, who, as it turned out, had a beautiful singing voice to match his big heart. Beginning and closing another day on The Camino, this New Song in my Soul (infused by all the celestial and Pilgrim heart music I heard and felt today) continued to expand throughout and beyond my heart into my world Now.
Excerpt from my Journal:
Wednesday, May 10th Frómista -> Carrión de los Condes (~13.3 mi/19.5 km)
… Highlights for me today were hearing the “Singing Nuns” of Iglesia de la Santa Maria (“Amazing Grace” my favorite, of course), and the evening mass with Pilgrim Blessing afterwards in the main church (Parroguia de Santa Maria del Camino y San Andrés) with the most beautiful statue of Mother Mary I have ever seen! Both Marcia and I were certain we saw tears rolling down the face of Mother Mary during the Pilgrim Blessing (tears were definitely flooding down my cheeks at this time).
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Each day, and each Moment, is an opportunity and reminder to me to slow down, be still and listen closer to the Song in My Heart. It is my constant and loving guide, and only I can pause and take the time to Listen and then follow my wondrous Path of Joy. There is no greater Gift to the world, and to all of life, than to follow One’s Inner Joy.
What gifts did your Camino bring you TODAY? (Please share your thoughts below in “Leave a Reply” Box)
Living in Grace and Flying with Spirit 
Leave a comment