Change Often – Silence is Golden

“In a higher world it is otherwise, but here below to live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.” Blessed John Henry Newman

I have always liked this quote, I guess because it reminds me, of how important it is to be open to changes, especially changes within myself that make me a “better version of myself”.

Walking the Camino, I believe, certainly offers opportunities for a lot of reflection on one’s life and changes that you might want to work on when the walk is over. As it turned out, we walked the Camino just after I retired in March of 2014, which provided some “fertile ground” to reflect on life after “Boeing”.

During the silence of the walk, I was able to process better what I envisioned life might look like for me after retirement. I was renewed and excited to get started once we returned. Since returning I have become completely engaged with family (taking care of our grandchildren two days a week), hiking once a week (year round), extended travel to some beautiful parts of the world, as well engaging and volunteering with different Church ministries. I really do love the fact that I am able to say “yes” more often to new opportunities. It is truly one of the blessings of being retired.

We all have opportunities that come our way, that challenge us to come out of our “comfort zone”, and move us closer to being the “best version of ourselves”. I believe that, the times we are most likely to reflect on changes to our life or the direction we are going, is in silence. The Camino surely provided that for us.

So, I will end this blog today, with this quote I read the other day to help us all remember that “silence can indeed be golden” and wonderful fertile ground for changes.

“the more chaotic our life becomes, the more we need to balance it with silence.”  Saint Bruno (1030-1101)

Blessings to your all,

John

Photograph of the Week

Silence is Golden

I captured this image during a hike to the North Cascades Pass area, in early October, at the height of the fall Larch tree color change. My friend Brenda Reeves, is in the foreground and my other good friend, Bob Maier, is resting behind the big rock (not seen). A truly wonderful spot to soak in the beauty of the mountains and partake in some silent time together.

Turn To The Suffering Ones

“When people turn toward the suffering ones in their midst, the entire community is transformed.”  Xavier Le Picho

There is no question, when you walk 500 miles there is some suffering that goes with walking that far. Terri was a real hero, as she was definitely suffering, with the stress fractures she developed during the walk. She was in pain for a good portion of the walk. She suffered and endured the pain and she was not alone. We saw so many pilgrims with injuries that just kept going and some sustained injuries, so bad, they were not able to continue and had to end their walk early.

It is amazing how close one draws to the other pilgrim walkers during this walk. I wonder, if it is the suffering that is shared that draws you closer. I guess that is why I liked the quote above, because it got me thinking about the suffering of those in our midst today.

I had a very intense experience this past summer of helping a friend that is very broken physically, emotionally and mentally and is also homeless. He suffers greatly. I did my very best to walk with him in his suffering. I tried my best not to put my expectations on him but simply “to turn to him in his suffering” and help him in the smallest ways I could. I can tell you I have been transformed in a very good way by this experience. I have a much deeper compassion and understanding for the poor and especially the homeless. My relationship with my friend has been changed and I can say we are now truly “brothers”.

We all have opportunities to turn to those around us who are suffering and to walk with them. It is not an easy walk but I can tell you it will transform you into a better place.

Blessings and all good,

John

Photograph of the Week

Rocky Mountain High

Rocky Mountain National Park is truly a treasure of a National Park. I captured this image during the drive from Estes Park to the 12,000 ft high point. I fell in love with the boulders and rocks of Rocky Mountain Park. I loved this formation in the foreground.