Discipline

I left Leon this morning around 7:00 amd arrived here in San Martin around 1:30, a distance of a about 24K. All is well with the body; no aches or pains anywhere. The dayof rest in Leon gave my feet the time aanbd rest theyt needed to finish healing and be ready to hit the road again. As a result I am able to walk at a comfortable pace that is close to my pace wihtout a fully loaded back pack. The temptation in this is that because I can cover approx. 20-25K by 1:00, I know that I could easily cover 35-40k by the close of the afternoon. It is taking a conscious act of diicpline not to puch myself to "go the extra miles." The only reason to go the extra distance would be to prove myself right in being able to do it, and to feed my need to succeed. It is a very deliberate effort ont he part of this goal oriented, task oriented over achiever, to allow herself to go as far as needed and not push for the extra. I realize that if I were to go for the extra kilometers it would no purpose other than feed my ego. 100% done well is usually enough; there really is no need to always strive for 200%. That is a lesson that is often difficult for me to accept. The Camino is offering me an opportunity to not follow my usual practice of being an over achiever. When I reach my destination and my "work" is completed for the day, I am accepting that it is OK to stop, and not to keep going just beacuse there is still more time available and I could accomplish more. And so, I will try to continue to stop at what ever location I am able to reach by 2 or 3. I will stay conscious of not getting pulled into the midst that many have that they must travel as great a distance as they can every day. I will remember the differentiation that Herriman makes between a pilgrim and a tourist, and not turn my Camino experience into a race for the miles. The bigger challenge will be when I return to the "real" world, where the majority mindset is about over working, over acheiving and pushing for more; trying to fit as much as possible into a limited amount of time, and feeling guilty (or made to feel guilty) when the 200% is not acheived. No Thanks! Buen Camino my friends, and my your journey be one that takes place in a "relaxed manner" at a pace that is healthy and nurturing of your spirit.