Forced to Surrender
“At fifteen, life taught me undeniably that surrender, in its place, was as honorable as resistance, especially if one had no choice.” —Maya Angelou Tell me about a time you had to surrender.
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Changing History
“Never doubt that you can change history. You already have.” —Marge Piercy Tell us about something you did that made a difference. That changed at least one life beside your own.
The Soul Speaks
“Put your ear down close to your soul and listen hard.” —Anne Sexton What is your soul trying to tell you?
Standing Up to Live
“How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live.” —Henry David Thoreau in his journal (1851) Tell me about a time you stood up to live—a time you lived fully, with courage, stepping out into the unknown future. (It’s okay if you were terrified or scared—you stepped
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Out on a Limb
“Why not go out on a limb? Isn’t that where the fruit is?” —Frank Scully Tell me about a time you went out on a limb and what you found there.
What’s in Front of Me
“I think the one lesson I have learned is that there is no substitute for paying attention.” —Diane Sawyer Write about what is in front of you right now. Choose something ordinary that you see every day. Observe it so closely that you find something new to say about it. Write your way into the
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A Moment of Surrender
“There is no controlling life. Try corralling a lightning bolt, containing a tornado. Dam a stream and it will create a new channel. Resist, and the tide will sweep you off your feet. Allow, and grace will carry you to higher ground. The only safety lies in letting it all in—the wild and the weak; fear,
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Some Final Words and Images from Laura: Buen Camino!
Monday, September 21st Tomorrow morning, I fly home to California. I’ve had a delightful time writing this Virtual Vacation blog for you: sharing my adventures and misadventures, my week exploring Berlin, traveling independently, and my group sojourn on the Camino de Santiago with a wonderful crew of fellow travelers. I hope you have enjoyed the
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To Tattoo or Not to Tattoo?
Sunday, September 20th On my first Creative Camino trip in 2023, Covid cut my walk to Santiago short. In Ribadiso, three days before the end of our pilgrimage, two members of our group tested positive for Covid, and the next day, I joined them. How I hated seeing those two parallel lines come up on
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Leaving Our Burdens at the Mount of Joy and Walking into Santiago
Early this morning we got ready to walk the final eight kilometers into Santiago. When I pulled my luggage out to the street for our bus to pick it up, it was still dark outside. As I stood out in the cool early morning air, some pilgrims walking by in the first light of morning.
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We’re Just Eight Kilometers from Santiago!
Friday, September 18th I just woke from an afternoon nap and took a very hot delicious shower in my lodgings. Today was a short day for us—an eight mile hike in which I often felt I could have kept walking forever. I walked with various members of our group, in deep conversation and in silence;
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Our Very Long Day Hiking, Cops on the Camino, and a Bridge to Hold Our Prayers
Thursday, September 17th Today we left a relaxing two-night stop in Ribadiso, where we took advantage of laundry facilities and a luscious swimming pool. Today we were back at it—about to walk our longest day on the Camino—about 15 miles. Before we hike each morning, we limber up and stretch for the day’s walking. People
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What Makes the Our “Creative Camino” Special?
Wednesday, September 16th Today was our last full creativity and rest day. From here on out, we’ll be walking every day until we reach Santiago de Compostela. So I thought today I’d take the opportunity to give you an inside peek at our group at work and play. We’ve reached the point where people are
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Crossing the River
Tuesday, September 15th I just came back from an evening walk after dinner with Brenda, scouting out a location for tomorrow’s writing and art classes. We’re staying in our current lodging in Ribadiso for next two nights. Tomorrow will be another creativity day for us. As we walked through farmlands in the golden hour, the
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A Beautiful Problem
“When I am working on a problem I never think about beauty. I only think about how to solve the problem. But when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong.” —R. Buckminster Fuller Tell me about a problem you had to solve, one that had an elegant or
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