UNDERSTANDING.....

Missing the trail...the long days of solitude, fresh air and incredible sights when I am on a pilgrimage path.  I have been feeling the loss of the thing I love the most….the walking.

And yet, it is the walking that has led me to this precious, amazing, incredible moment

In time----the moment I launch my book and spend time with fingers trekking a keyboard rather than feet connecting with the rich, clean, trail dirt in another land.

Fingers trekking a keyboard - exactly what life has been the last few weeks.  

And in that process I am reminded again and again that the walking...the pilgrimage path... is what calls to my soul. Words flow forth and the longing to be on the path again pulls.

I knew it at Finistere - the completion of my Camino Santiago de Compostela.

Standing on the cliffs, Atlantic ocean crashing against rocks below, I knew in my soul this was my calling - this, the walking, and to write.

Jeannie called it to me in her angel voice.  “ Start writing….”   She whispered in my heart as I Ieft Pamplona and climbed the Alto de Pardon - the height of forgiveness -

“...don’t ask what or why ...Just start”   

And with her directive, warm secure words felt rather than heard, faith in what she knew was my truth, I began.  

A Camino of the Soul - Learning to Listen When the Universe Whispers …..my story….her story…. has been shared.

I am grateful and blessed for the lessons of these last few years. Thankful for the love Jack, in all the ways he knew how, gave to me. I am aware….I am now so truly aware of our purpose together.

It is said ‘ nothing in my life is out of order’. It is a truth I know in my soul.  I am exactly where I am meant to be…. I continue to learn to listen when the Universe whispers.

http://www.amazon.com/Camino-Soul-Learning-Universe-Whispers-ebook/dp/B01DTAKQUG

IT IS ALMOST TIME.......

                                      eBook or Paperback available now!

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TAPESTRY

Notes to Myself-January 2016

When things go wrong and we get uprooted, what if that’s not life being against you, or life being harsh? What if those moments are a divine storm? And what if those moments are happening because all the things that don’t serve our greatest potential and our spiritual path are being uprooted not to punish you, but for your best interests? What if your worst week or your worst day was divinely sent, and actually your greatest day?”  -- Mastin Kipp

My Mom has always said that our life path was like a magnificent tapestry. Woven, threads crossing threads, colors on colors. We walk through our lives only seeing the jumbled mass of stitches and strings on the back.  But, every now and again in life...once in a very long while...we have a moment when the picture is clear and we see ever so briefly what we are weaving...and then it disappears once again.  These moments of clarity help us to know our purpose and, although brief, the moment can transcend time and carry us through until the next viewing.

When I read Mastin Kipp’s thoughts on bad or negative moments actually being part of a divine storm, my mother's words came back. I think because I am feeling that my world is in such a state of flux as I move into my 60th year soon, I am holding tight to the inner knowing that the threads of the tapestry are still intertwining… just as the Universe directs... all is in order. But oh how lovely it would be for one of those clear viewings right about now!.

And how I wish, for just a brief while, this divine storm I am living would quiet.  I want to trust in your words Mastin Kipp…..and I do, usually..….but how I need some calm from the storm.

While walking this morning It occurred to me that perhaps it is time to try and draft what I know of my life. Bullet points of moments in time...an outline of my story. Walk through scenes of time….write them...watch them….and see what becomes clear.  Maybe a simple bullet list chronologically….leave the subjective for another chapter...focus only on the occurrences that seem to be focal points in my mind.  Perhaps this will help guide me from the storm...into the clarity of the overall beauty I am creating?

March 12,2016

And the clarity came.  Two months later and I have completed a book that has been in the making for a year.  It will launch soon - next month in fact!

Funny, an exercise in looking at the important events in my life was like a momentary turn of the tapestry; everything was clear for a few glorious minutes - A few minutes which allowed me to move forward with conviction.

I wonder what the next glimpse will show.....

Following my Path....

March 1st, 2016.  

I sit here stunned at the flight of time. Weeks since I last posted here have been

spent writing a story that has been in me for a couple of years. And welcoming a new baby granddaughter into the world!

Last spring, I attended a writer’s workshop in Chicago sponsored by Hay House.  

As many of you know, I went because I heard a definitive whisper from the Universe.

That Hay House emails would continue pinging my in -box upon my return from my Camino in Spain seemed a pretty straight foreward announcement that the draw I had to  pilgrimage walking and writing was to be followed.  No, I had not signed up for Hay House events and no, I had not signed into any writer’s workshops which may have allowed a tag on from Hay House. How Hay House garnered my email info remains a question - I am just thrilled we got connected!

That Hay House was the publishing company of one of my  favorite authors, and in a way a mentor, Wayne Dyer, that Hay House published the works of Anita Moorjani and Gregg Braden, both authors I had read several times over during the last few years, that was not coincidence - It was synchronicity.  And, because I believe in listening when the Universe whispers, I took it to heart and went to the conference.

Hay House was offering a contest for attendees. Three package prizes which would allow publication of a book either through Hay House or their self-publishing arm, Balboa Press, were up for grabs. 175 entrants, many with published works in other venues, took part. Of course, I spent the summer working, writing, and drafting the required proposal to enter the contest.  

That I did not win a prize I felt so certain was mine, I now see clearly as part of a grander plan.  The majority of the work got written. The emotional piece, which occurred in working through issues of a collapsed marriage as I wrote and re-wrote, was given a place of release.  And, after walking away from the book idea for a couple months during and directly following my Camino in Italy in October of this last year, it all came full circle as the New Year arrived. I entered an amazing writing program and have breathed new life into my story.

As of today the book has been resurrected and sits in the capable hands of my editor, who I trust, will work her magic and produce a finished product within the next couple of weeks. While she deletes, comments and corrects I will be choosing a book cover design!  And, all things in order, my book will launch in late April or early May on Amazon.

So, you see, perhaps not writing here, or out walking at the moment, but definitely active in following the path of my continued Camino….A Camino of the Soul:  Learning to Listen when the Universe Whispers.

Wish me luck!

A CAMINO FAMILY IS BORN.....

” Ladies, come join us”!

They call to us in English...American English. Liz and I have spent the morning on this climb to Orisson hearing British and Australian versions….for the first time we hear Americans..

Two men, sixty somethings, obviously dear friends from their demeanor and completely ecstatic to be sitting here on the outdoor terrace of the hostel at Orisson.

“ We have smoked salmon...bring your beers and come sit!”

Their voices are full of enthusiasm…. infectious! We gather the iced mugs of beer we have been sipping, pull our weary bodies from where we flopped down earlier  and wander over to their table across the immense outdoor dining terrace. Two fellow Americans,  promising a feast, gathering pilgrims on this first day.

“Pacific Northwest salmon” they announce proudly.

A flurry of questions arises from others trying to picture where the Pacific Northwest might fit on a map, not entirely familiar with the expanse of the United States.

“ I have a cousin in Arizona” says one.  “ Is it near there?”

“ My sister lives in Denver… I don’t think that’s close, is it?” questions a man from Holland.

“ Pacific Northwest? “ I ask with surprise, “ What city?”

“ Seattle area ” they answer in unison.

“ Richmond Beach to be exact” says Guy, smiling.

I am sure my mouth has fallen open in an astonished gape. Jack and I left this exact same neighborhood when we moved overseas 6 years earlier.  Our house near Richmond Beach had been our dream home. Gardens, an expansive lawn  and a view of the Olympic Mountains across the waters of Puget Sound. Six years later, and here in the Pyrenees mountains, the first pilgrims we truly connect with are from this same neighborhood.  Universe, what’s going on?

   The afternoon flies by as fellow travelers are shown to their beds or tents.  As some leave, more join. These two enthusiastic peregrini  have created a party! And then we learn, they have done this before. They walked this Camino just the year before and had had the time of their lives.  Now, two lifelong buddies,  following their hearts are  walking this pilgrimage for a second time….beginning on the exact same date and location as before.!  Thier first night out, here in Orisson, had been one of the greatest memories of their adventure and they were determined to re-create and offer that sense of camaraderie and excitement to us newbies. It worked!

By 4 PM there must have been twenty of us laughing, sharing information on hometowns, our Camino hopes and dreams for the next few weeks and promises to keep an eye out for each other along the way.  Pacific Northwest smoked salmon, beer and wine...and a peregrini family is born!  

To this day, well over a year later, I am pleased to call these fellow pilgrims friends.  Many of us have stayed in touch….and I know beyond doubt we are connected for all time….we are Camino Family.

  

CHRISTMAS

December 16th…..I have been home for almost two months from the day I walked into Rome

along the Via Francigena.  Two months….two days….two lifetimes…..the concept of time  muddled just as it was after completing the Camino Frances last year.

And, as last year, the draw to don my backpack and wander off onto yet another pilgrim path pulls.

Yet, for now, I know am where I am meant to be.  Holidays and family are ever present….a gift in themselves.  A gift I have, for several years, either missed completely or raced through, trying to do everything ...be everywhere..  This year I am blessed with time to slow down and savor the moments...live in the now.  

This Christmas has been a time of lessons for me….a time of contemplating where our hearts are safe and secure - where our souls are fed…. the love of family and friends.  Christmas season prompts us to remember that the giving of resources, as valuable and necessary as it is in a world where many are without, is only a part of what we have to share. The giving of ourselves….our time sharing a mug of coffee with an elderly relative, taking a winter walk with a friend we have not seen….sitting and watching a silly Christmas movie with the kids- all phones OFF - these are our greatest gifts to give.   

So for now my backpack rests in its corner.  The time will come again….the energy pull of the trail will draw me back….but not just yet. Right now it is time to focus on those closest and most important to my heart, because two days become two months become two lifetimes

in a blink of an eye and this year….. I choose home.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

LOVE,

KATE - Walking Woman

WHAT I MISS.......

4 AM......I have been home a week and  already I am aware of what I miss when I am not out walking and why it calls to me:

...The weight of my pack first thing in the morning, that appendage which becomes a physical part of my being.....if missing I am off balance

...Early morning, laying in bed, stretches....moments convincing the body it does in fact want to rise and walk a new day.... See new sights....take in the smells of the earth

....Bells, tolling in symphony or clanging in simplicity.....I miss the bells...I will always miss the bells

....The  smell of wet earth...turned fields, moss covered rock walls along the path...musty, rich earth

.... A glass of chilled Tuscan wine at the end of a long hard day...soothing ....earned

.... The thrill and deep sense of gratitude for an extra pillow on the bed

.... A violet butterfly circling as I walk, tempting me to ask " Who are you? What do you want me to see?"

.... Plates of steaming pasta....simple, no elegant sauces or presentations.....fresh vine ripened tomato and basil; rich thick cream with chunks of crispy ham; pasta tossed in infused garlic oil......simple, basic...filling

....Monitoring the sun to gage time... testing my abilities against a worn beaten Timex

... Dodging the rain under the protection of an olive grove..... Dining on wild boar sausage bites and tangy wedges of Parmesan as the cloudburst passes

... Boots off, toes airing mid day, in the shadows of a medieval villa or castle fortress

....Quiet......walking in  quiet..... deep in thought...time passing yet totally still....Altered dimensions


I walk to discover....places, people, culture at the very core and essence of a land.  I walk and I discover more of me....each and every time.  I find more of the woman I am and was meant to be.
I walk to share with those who cannot and, hopefully, tempt those who can to do the same.
I walk because I am meant to walk.

~~  Author
Award Winning Bestseller  ' A Camino of the Soul: Learning to Listen When the Universe Whispers'

https://www.amazon.com/Camino-Soul-Learning-Universe-Whispers-ebook/dp/B01DTAKQUG