Our Common Home

Sobre Miércoles en Paris (writing about Paris whilst on the Camino in Zariba, Spain) (May 30th)

I am sitting in the common area with A Young Kim, eating dry yet perfectly spicy Ramen called Shin Ramyun.

As the rain comes pouring down & lightning strikes close to Zariba, I ache in agonizing but conditional pain. It is the sweet presence of A Young, the sound of rain & God keeping me alive.

Before I continue, I must warn you ~ I have no idea of what to expect next ~ Only the eternal road to Santiago & the feeling of hardship. My bones crack from left to right shoulder, my knees feel like they can give out at any moment, & yet my mind, heart & spirit is still not shaken.

Pain is only an illusion. An illusion that nevertheless plays a role in bringing us closer to ourselves, each other & to God. Most importantly in the silence of our long walk ~ We contemplate God. And in that… I am grateful for.

The days are speeding onward & I find myself constantly playing catch up. To be quite honest Wednesday (otherwise known as “Hump Day”) was another day just like any other. Albeit, it was spent being a tourist. ~

From lighting a candle in Notre Dame du Paris to posing in front of the Louvre & Eiffel Tower. I enjoyed it all… Especially the end at our homestay.

It was just us three: Ian, myself, & Lauren sitting in the living room. Discussing the geopolitical situation in Israel-Palestine conflict of this past year (specifically the Gaza Strip border incident). We both agreed that we all are the same. As much as I wanted to make known that this was a contrived notion filled with missing gaps… She was indeed correct.

I paused and reflected & realized the profundity of the moment & how I had experienced that same connection — the oneness of it all! That which is in you, is also in me. Namaste

That we all have hopes, dreams, fears, loves, passions & thoughts that eventually turn either into Action or Wu-Wei (No-Action).

We are living in a fast, confused world, and it helps to slow down, recognize & respect our intricately beautiful differences as well as what connects us back to God. That is a lovely home to live and look forward to.