Have you seen the movie, The Way?
Not only did this movie inspire a pilgrimage onto my bucket list, but it inadvertently inspired me to embark on a project that I had been putting off for months.
Our nest is empty now and transforming my son's old bedroom into a meditation room has been on my list of to-dos. But rather than put both feet into the project, I have found myself procrastinating. And not only procrastinating, but moving stuff from other rooms into this one. Hence, rather than clear it, I have cluttered it. How interesting.
But this weekend, thanks in part to The Way, the cycle was broken. I went through every item in the room. If it didn’t breathe meditation in some way, shape or form, it got moved to a new home. A few hours into the project, it occurred to me that I had embarked on a mini-pilgrimage. My efforts were intentional, purposeful and reflective. Nothing was going to get in my way. I was on a mission and it was a cathartic one.
So now my meditation room is complete and I feel great about it, Koda too. But this morning I found myself still obsessing over the idea of pilgrimages—so-much-so that I even looked up the definition. The one that resonated most was from the Free Online Dictionary. “A long journey or search, especially one of exalted purpose or moral significance.”
This definition got me thinking about my project again. As for not letting anything get in my way, I lied. In hindsight I can see that my 3-day pilgrimage was interrupted by a couple of cell phone calls, emails and a social visit. But not bad for a first quasi-intentional pilgrimage. I think I have found my antidote for procrastination and I can’t wait to put it into practice again—next time even more consciously.
I challenge you to turn something you’ve been meaning to do into a pilgrimage.
What you walk away with may far exceed your expectations. I know mine did and still is.
My next pilgrimage to practice on is my taxes.
What will yours be?
Enjoy the journey!
Trish
I love that and love the intention of creating a pilgrimage. I so want to do the Camino de Santiago and I think a good way to prepare is through many other mini and not so mini pilgrimages. As I am about to leave for a trip (and yes it could be considered a pilgrimage too!) to Alaska to watch the start of the Iditarod sled dog race I know that for all the mushers embarking on that 1049 mile race it is a pilgrimage for them and their dogs as well. I love the concept and as always the way you brought it all to the surface!
I have personal pilgrimages I seem to have been on for a long er time than necessary so now I also know it is time to end one pilgrimage so I cna move onto a new one.
Hey Trish, I love the anology... I'm new at this so hope it works... We just attended the opening ceremonies for the builders show and the keynote speaker was Aron Rolstan. His talk was so passionate that three people in the audience needed medical attention right then and he had to stop so they could be treated. He talked about the boulders of his life and how they weren't going to hold them down in that canyon. They made a movie called 127 hours. Check it out if you get a chance.
Are you coming to the Bradford luncheon?
Larry
I've been guilty of remaining on the same pilgrimage rather than taking what I have learned and applying it to new adventures. But how else would we know? :)
I definitely will check out 127 Hours, but don't think I will make it to the lunch. If It was at the Loft I would have but Roma's is too far for me to travel in the middle of a work day.
Enjoy!
Trish