Day 14- Beauty

This pilgrimage is a chance for me to reflect. About what? That’s up to the Camino. I am 2 weeks and around 220 miles into this journey. If you’ve been following, the first week or so was physically demanding leaving little opportunity for my mind to wander. I had to focus on the ground below me and each step. The physical demands were spiritually energizing given the purpose. The routes of the last week or so allowed for more contemplative moments. Today was no exception- 18 miles of hilly but sure footed trails. I opened my mind to whatever thoughts may choose to appear. It didn’t take long and thoughts of beauty filled my mind. Physical beauty experienced by all five senses were present on the Camino. The sounds of the crashing waves on the beach and birds singing created a beautiful symphony. Watching the surfers waiting on the water then catching a wave was a great visual depiction of man and nature. The smell of the Eucalyptus trees was a sweet change of pace from livestock. The taste of strong coffee as I rested for a few minutes 12 miles into my walk energized me for the final 6 miles. Touching the exterior of a church as I imagined all the emotions that have flowed in and out of that sacred place by countless people over centuries. All were things of beauty and I thankfully took the time to experience that beauty.

I also thought of intangible beauty. Beauty in people. What makes someone beautiful to someone else? That kind of beauty is subjective. As Todd Rundgren sang “love between the ugly is the most beautiful love of all”. True beauty comes from within. I suggest it is one’s soul and spirit that creates one’s inner beauty. I spent a whole career dealing with why relationships fail. Today I thought about what causes a relationship to thrive. I think it’s the ability of two people to truly see each other’s inner beauty, their souls. Feed your soul and beauty follows. The right person will see that beauty. At least that’s what I thought about today on the Camino- for what it’s worth

Last night’s lodging

How many times have I raced by one of these roadside memorials? Today I stopped and I felt an unknown person’s grief.

The tiniest chapel I’ve seen so far