Taking the time between Quarters

I haven’t blogged for a two nights. For all of you who thought I might have fallen off a cliff with my absent minded walking - I am fine. I have made it to Pampalona approximately 70 kms into my walk -I think. I trying not to focus on where I have come from or where I am going to but just being present.

I took the time to rest, to digest and gather my thoughts.

There are no small days on the Camino. But there are many small yet significant moments. Each interaction you have along ‘the Way’ is meaningful. Whether it be a hand placed on a shoulder with no words, a smile, stepping back off the path to let someone through - asking where they are from, sharing a coffee sharing a a story, sharing the pain.

There are no small days.

I am only 3 days in and already the Camino is teaching me the small things matter. Taking things slowly matters. Taking care matters.

Taking the time to put your blister pack on properly, no rushing to catch up after a pit stop but making sure your undies are adjusted properly and your pack firmly back in place.

Taking the time to look up around, sideways and gain different perspectives on the same image, scenery or problem that is what the Camino is teaching me.

I am constantly reminded to slow down, look up. Stop. Breathe. Look around. You are rewarded with small yet significant moments.

These photos encapsulate that for me.

You may need to zoom in but I just looked up because the branches were pretty and was rewarded with the bird box - you may need to zoom in to read it but it gave me an extra pep in my step after seeing it

Initially I walked past the poppy. I was tired, hot sore and it was late afternoon. I didn’t want to take the time to take the photo, but a few metres past it I remember it was ANZAC day weekend this week and wanted to be reminded of my experience here on the camino at next years Anzac Day.

I wanted to be reminded by the poppy, when I get busy and tired in my day to day life, to stop enjoy the small things - they might seem small at the time like a lone poppy in a field of green but later it might prove to be big or rewarding - the Camino is telling me take the moment to breath in the beauty no matter what that looks like.

Taking the time to rest between quarters is obvious and crucial in football. It’s about being there for your team. Not just for yourself. It’s about being able to put your best self back out on the field. It’s easy to do at quarter time in a game because everyone is doing the same thing. Its much harder to be disciplined to do it in day to day life. We make ourselves busier than we need to be, trying to feel in control of the things around us that deep down we know we can’t control.

To put boundaries in place for time for yourself. Prioritising rest and re cuperation so you can give your best self to your family, your friends, your coworkers. Strips the unnecessary away. It’s start with packing you pack. Weigh up do I need 4 pairs of socks or can I do it with two (you can definitely do it with two!!!!!!) The Camino forces to engage in the present, peeling the orange when your tied in the afternoon and how good it tastes as you sit under the shade of the tree knowing you still have 10 kms to walk but right now you are getting respite and you notice things like the sweet stickyness of the juice running down your fingers as you break each segment open.

How good the shower feels after 25 kms of dust and sun and your full with stories that have been shared with you and memories you have made and rivers you have pout your sore sore feet into. A smile from a stranger as they walk past you with a knowing smile of the shared experience of some the hills and wish you a Buen Camino, of the hand on your shoulder of passer by when you are really tired that motivates you to go that little further.

The Camino strips away the unnecessary. You may drift off along the way as you walk but it always brings you back to being present. To paying attention to the small things that become big important things.

I hope I can hold on to that displine and practice when I get home. To be present and listen to my family, my friends. To be a better leader who is calmer slower more thoughtful. Who doesn’t get caught up in the noise and the unneccessary.

The People

Everyone is searching for some sort of meaning on this journey but there are others who are being meaningful. Each day I have met new people who have shared their stories with me. I have been grateful and thankful in their trust in my to share these, to be vulnerable with me when they no nothing about me.

I want to share with you Nora and Richard’s story. Norah and

Richard are from Canada and Richard has been digoined with stage 4 prostate Cancer. They are raising money for the Community Bus in their home state that goes around offering free PSA testing for men. To raise awareness of Prostate cancer and how an early diagnoses has helped Richard get in from of his cancer and have some control over the aggressiveness off it in the last month. I was in awe of listening to Norah journey. Richard is going through it and Norah is walking beside him and with him through his battle. Both are beautiful deliberate vivacious people who are doing as they intended and raising awareness in the hopes of saving other men’s lives.

So guys (Troy Murphy I am looking at you) get tested early it can save your life. If you want to read more about Norah and Richard’s Story I have tried to include the link here. The Ricky Race Part 2: The Road to Santiago https://www.prostatecancercentre.ca/the-ricky-race-part-2-the-road-to-santiago/

To Richard I can’t stop what’s happening to you but I can champion your cause, walk beside you , listen to your wisdom, your stories aand spend time knowing you deeply over the next 500 kms. Norah I will be your friend for life.

There are no small days on the Camino.

Brooke