The Camino taught me ~

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Gratitude.

I was grateful for so many things.

I was grateful for a bed at night, I was grateful for a good meal, I was grateful when my feet didn’t hurt, when my knee wasn’t sore, when it didn’t rain.

I was grateful for friendship, for acts of kindness, for moments of beauty and moments of joy.

I came back from the Camino and I noticed something strange. I found myself saying “thank you” a lot.

I noticed this in emails.

Instead of signing off: Kind regards, or Best wishes, I was signing off: Many thanks, or simply Thank you.

This was more than just a superficial change of an email protocol, I was doing this unconsciously because I did genuinely feel appreciative.

I felt grateful.

Gratitude is a state of grace that is often deemed unacceptable in our current world. Like humility, it is often seen as a form of weakness, as a point of vulnerability, as being uncompetitive. It’s often seen as a state of supplication, and hence as a personal failing.

Gratitude and humility are anything but forms of weakness or supplication.

In their highest and most noble forms they speak of wisdom, of grace, of knowing.

During my recent trip to America, I had a conversation with my workmate Pieter de Vries. He told me he often got very annoyed when he sent photos to people via email and they didn’t respond with a simple thank you. He said it often took him quite a long time to prepare the shots, and yet he got back no acknowledgment of the effort and care he’d taken to send them to someone.

I too see this all the time.

I recently prepared a To Do list for a friend who is about to go overseas. It took me quite a while to prepare this list. Nothing back. No thank you. That’s okay. To do an act of kindness is reward enough. There actually doesn’t need to be a response to validate that kindness. In seeking one, you undercut your generosity of spirit.

But sometimes it’s nice when someone says thank you.

The Camino taught me gratitude.

It taught me not to expect things.

It stripped away any sense of entitlement.

For that, I’m grateful.

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35 thoughts on “The Camino taught me ~”

    • Hey Angie, I’ve been trying to buy that set of meditations but couldn’t find it on their website. Do you have a link to it at all? So great to see you and Ken this past weekend. We have to do it again!

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  3. If that was me that didn’t say thanks for the India list I apologize. I am trying (not very successfully) to not comment on every post. I do read all posts and usually enjoy all but preparations for the trip are consuming me at the moment and may have forgotten to say thanks for all you do.
    Thank you.
    Lynda

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    • Haha – no Lynda, it wasn’t you! And you DO say thank you! You and Dale are he most gracious people… And hey, I love your comments on this blog! Don’t stop! I miss you here…

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      • Bill
        Any graciousness, humility and thankfulness I have from walking the Camino is wearing off. I need another Camino. Maybe some short hikes or walks in India will restore some of what was gained in Spain.

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        • Lynda, you and Dale have been working incredibly hard. And you’ve had a hell of a year. I think it’s remarkable that you’ve held it together as well as you have. I think this coming trip to India will restore your balance, and recalibrate you. The spiritual aspects of this tour will be as profound as any experience on the Camino.

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          • I just lost all graciousness. My two eight year old grandsons just broke the glass in the front storm door. Just picked up one hundred shards of glass and bandaged a leg. C’mon India!

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    • Lovely of you to say that Adrienne, thank you! It was so great to see you in Texas. Jennifer and I have cosmic reasons to return, and when we do we’ll see you again, hopefully very soon!

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    • Carol, that’s so gorgeous of you to say – thank you! I value the friendship with you and Ian too – as does Jennifer. You two are truly remarkable people!

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  6. Thank you Mate. I strive fir that bar each day but must constantly remind myself. Thank you for the reminder but most of all for our unlikely close bond. I am most grateful and say so with all humility as I am privileged to share a bond with you. 👍😊

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  7. Well, I’m still quite new to this blog and more than a year and a half away from my first Camino (light), but when I am sorting through dozens of e-mails and see one from PGS – The Way among the mix of mostly junk mail, I’m like a kid in a candy store. I greatly look forward to seeing what you have say. I may not always agree with everything, but it’s always a great read. So for that, thanks Bill! 🙂

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    • Watch it, George, oR like the rest of us, you’ll be hooked forever!! 🙂 (and you may not know this, but some time ago, when Bill wanted to close down this blog, a number of us threw a hissy fit and he continued!!).

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      • Yes, I remember that Britta – when I wanted to bow out – and you all ganged up on me. And now look at me, tethered to this blog nearly every damn day! haha – Very pleased that you did convince me to keep going… apart from anything else, Jennifer and I have made such wonderful friends; yourself, Janet and Jenny included!

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    • Well thank you George. I sometimes like to be a provocateur, as you’ve no doubt already gathered, however there is a good and respectful tone on this blog – respectful of all points of view, as long as they’re not abusive or offensive – and so I very much appreciate your taking the trouble to comment, and let me know. Bill

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  8. Lynda, I wasn’t referring to you as a dwarf. And my comments on the burning dwarf were influenced by a Camino dinner where several jugs of sangria were poured down my throat, despite my ardent resistance, by the angelic gang of three, being Britta, Jenny and Janet, who really should take full responsibility and apologise to the dwarf community of Sydney, in particular those that specialise in making themselves available for showbiz and entertainment purposes, such as dwarf-throwing contests…

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    • I’m going to get to meet two of those three ladies you just mentioned in India. We’ll have to have a discussion and sort out how three nice ladies could pour all that sangria down your throat!
      Mucho hugs!
      Lynda

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      • Lynda, you are absolutely on to Bill! The three Amigos……innocent in all of this.
        Very much looking forward to
        meeting up in a couple of weeks.
        Janet

        Liked by 2 people

  9. Thank you Bill Bennett for your blog. I have read every post since Feb. 2013. It has been quite inspiring and intriguing and has helped me prepare for my Camino walk next month. So look forward to future posts and your film. Enjoy the India tour and again thank you for all you are sharing.

    Rory Anne Walsh

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    • Hi Rory – you have no idea how chuffed your comment has made me feel – thank you! But my god, you have read the entire blog? You must be a real sucker for punishment!! haha – I hope your preparations are going well. You must be so excited! Please feel free to get in touch if you want any advice, or if you just want to chat – billpgsblog@gmail.com. Again my thanks for posting here, and please feel free to post comments whenever… Bill

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  10. Thank you for your post. Thank you for your kindness when you encountered the old lady hiking solo in Portugal. Keep the attitude of gratitude! x p

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

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    • Peggy – you are the youngest “old lady” I’ve ever met! haha. You’re incredible! My goodness I hope I’m as active and agile as you when I get to your age, which is what… 55??

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    • Peggy I remember you from the walk too. I still tell people about you and how I couldn’t keep up with you. I hope you are doing well.

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