Three years ago today I walked into Praza do Obradoiro, the plaza of the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, my daughter at my side. It was the end of our pilgrimage journey. But it was a beginning as well.
We had just completed walking 800 km across Spain, the Camino de Santiago. We were happy and sad at the same time. It was a relief, but it was over. After 36 days of walking, ever westward; there would be no more walking. At least not walking for a purpose. Not walking a pilgrimage. That was now in our history.
But it was also the start of the next part of our life. For my daughter, that meant moving more fully into adulthood – moving out of the house, adopting cats, and even getting married! For me, that opened up new opportunities. That led me to the Master Key Experience (MKE).
A few weeks ago I talked about Pilgrimage Commencement in my blog, and I don’t want to repeat that. However, I do want to acknowledge that three years has passed since I completed the Camino. Looking back, it has had a profound impact on me. I can’t exactly put it into words (but look at me trying with all these blogs), but I think I am now a Camino Junkie. I love to read about the Camino, listen to Camino Podcasts, reminisce with Camino friends, I even walk virtual Caminos. And I am planning and hoping for my next Camino.
And on the Master Key Experience front, I now have a new beginning to explore. I am becoming a Guide with the MKE. Guides are crucial to the success of the MKE pilgrims, or I should say students. Without guides, it would just be another self-study course. I want to be that person who supports the new student, cheers them on; encouraging but not persuading. And I believe that I will do a good job, too.
During the first year I was in the MKE, I thought “yes, I would like to be a guide, but I couldn’t possibly commit to that right now.” During the second year, I thought “yes, I do want to be a guide, but I don’t have time, and besides, I’m doing that book study thing with Day.” Looking back, I know I was not ready.
Well, this year, my third with MKE, was different. I said: “YES, I AM GOING TO BE A GUIDE.” In fact, I planned ahead, saved up, prepared my mind and made a space in my life – space in terms of time of course, but even a space on my shelf to put the books and binders I would need.
I even made it part of my DMP (Definite Major Purpose) statement. So now I KNEW it would happen. Before that it sounded like a good idea, but that was about it.
Now, I have started that Guide Training. It’s my next adventure. I am meeting new people from around the world, embarking on another journey into the unknown, unsure who or what I will encounter there. Ooh, another Hero’s Journey!
Buen Camino!