What is The Camino?
The Camino de Santiago, or in English the Way of St. James, is a network of pilgrims’ ways or pilgrimages leading to the shrine of the apostle James in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition holds that the remains of the apostle are buried..
Each year over 300,000 people lace up their boots every year to take on the pilgrimage!
Throughout the medieval period, it was one of the three most important Christian pilgrimages undertaken. Indeed, it was only these pilgrimages—to Jerusalem, to Rome, and to Santiago de Compostela.
“NEVER BE AFRAID TO TRUST AN UNKNOWN FUTURE TO A KNOWN GOD.”
CORRIE TEN BOOM
AUDIO NOTES ON THE CAMINO
I was encouraged to record audio notes any time I felt inspired to do so while on the camino by my good friend Bill Bailey. His timeless wisdom helped to make this happen and now I have the opportunity to share these small tidbits and insights with you who are reading this – my friends -.
It’s been a journey of discovery just to “remember” these lessons that I believe we all know and believe deep down. Life is meant to be a personal journey of discovery, and adventure and is much better enjoyed with the right people along for the ride.
I am blessed to call many people friends, but even more so to have a personal relationship with Jesus whom I consider my very best friend and companion. Thank you for listening and I hope these short audio recordings are helpful to you in many of the same ways they were to me while I thought about them.
DAILY JOURNAL ENTRIES
Along with my audio journals, I also made a commitment to write about my daily experience from my arrival until I finished the Camino.
It was something that helped me focus at the end of each day to remind me of what I have to be grateful for.
Yes, the road was tough, but it was all the more why I needed to capture the essence of why I was there in the first place. Through these daily journals, I could capture and remember many life “lessons” my spirit had long kept dormant.
I will now have the opportunity to revisit these 9 entries for the rest of my life anytime I need an “alignment” in life once again (since we always find a way to go astray). Through the power of my own thoughts and words, I hope to be reminded of what is most important in life, relationships, and most importantly, this journey of self-discovery we get to call our own.
To my friends and to anyone else who may be reading this. Buen Camino friend.
With Much Love,
Drazen
September 12 – I Arrive
“My Camino doesn’t start for another couple of days, but my journey into this next chapter of my life has already begun.”
September 13 – Anticipation
“We shook hands, wished each other well in our travels and continued making our way towards our individual destinations.”
September 14 – So It Begins
“There were definitely parts that were grueling, but through it all, I remained positive and thankful for being on this journey.”
September 15 – Slow And Steady
“I’ve learned to value the concept of “slow and steady” much more than ever before, since progress is still made, but sometimes at what seems like a snails pace.”
September 16 – Transformation
“I have been in my “cocoon” phase (chrysalis) and now I am ready to come out a transformed man and embrace the next phase of my life like a butterfly emerging into it’s final stage.”
September 17 – Lighter
“And so I began to shed the weight. Mentally at first, then physically whenever possible until my pack was left lighter than any time before. But I knew that it was also because so had my mind.”
September 18 – Letting Go
“These are the things that REALLY weigh us down in life, and letting it all go for the sake of finishing my journey taught me well for what I must do in other parts of my life.”
September 19 – Finished
“I began to go more with the “flow” of my soul. I saw many many of the pilgrims make a beeline for the cathedral, after all, this was the goal.”
September 20 – Next Chapter
“May my prayer rise before you like an offering of incense” (Psalm 141: 2)