As I embark on my pilgrimage, I wonder if I am prepared enough.
I wanted to re-read The Art of Pilgrimage before I started, so I would know what I am getting myself into. 🙂 What is a pilgrimage, and what does it ask of me? What does it require of me?
I wanted to read personal memoirs, of people who have come before me on this walk, so I would have some sense of the reality of it. Again, of what will be demanded of me? What questions I “should” be asking of myself?
I definitely wanted to work out my itinerary. (This, with respect to the Camino de Santiago, is particularly laughable.)
But this morning I woke up and knew that it was time to begin, without knowing all of those things. It is time.
This is such a metaphor for my life and for my work, especially as a self-employed person. Do I ever know enough to do what I want to do? How do I even know what is enough? And how do I embark anyway, trusting that either I know enough or I will be given what I need as I go along?
It seems to me that at some point, every one of us is asked by life to trust the unfolding. To trust that we are enough and that we will find our way, that the journey itself will give us what we need.
This is that moment.
It seems to me that the question is not “Am I prepared?”. Instead, it is “Am I prepared to trust the unfolding of my life?”
Pilgrims on the Camino have to trust lots of things. That they will find their way (even when they go off course), that they will find food and lodging, that they will be given what they need as they go along.
There is an expression on the Camino: “Trust the Camino.” Or, alternatively, “The Camino will provide.” The Way will provide. Now it is time to trust that.
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