Lighten Your Load

“Sometimes you don’t realize the weight of something you’ve been carrying until you feel the weight of its release.” – Unknown

This past year hasn’t been easy for any of us. I’ve decided pandemics pretty much top the list for stressful things to go through. I’ve told my family and friends that I feel like Harrison Ford in Raider’s of the Lost Ark. You know that scene where he is running from a big boulder? Well, that’s pretty much been me. Between that and the United States political landscape, it’s all been entirely too heavy.

Which is part of the reason for starting this project and this blog. While I am in no way ignoring everything that is happening in the world, I also want a pleasant and safe diversion and pretending I am on a pilgrimage is proving to be just what I needed.

Aside from walking as much as I can, I’ve been listening to a good podcast about the Camino called the Camino De Santiago Pilgrims’ Podcast hosted by Bradley Chermside. He seeks practical tips and advice for walking the camino from seasoned pilgrims. The tip given by most every guest? Lighten your load. Walking that long distance forces people to decide about what burdens are worth the carry and what burdens aren’t.

I may only be on a virtual pilgrimage right now, but that repeated sentiment was not lost on me this past week and I tasked myself with easing my load. For me, that meant eliminating the access a toxic family member has to my life. For far too long, this person has said and done things that are directly contradictory to my core values and I have played the “grin and bear it” game in the interest of family peace for years and years, but it has become very clear to me that doing that was no longer worth it.

I’ve realized to enjoy this trip, this pilgrimage that is my life, it requires that I do just that- find out what weighs my pack down and let it go. Hope you can do the same. It feels amazing!

Bien Camino!

*Post photograph by Gary Knight