eL cAmiNo dE sAntiAgO

"the ship is safest when it's in port, but that's not what ships were built for"

"we must never stop dreaming. Dreams provide nourishment for the soul, just as a meal does for the body"

Dear jess,

im writting to tell you exciting news about a new man in my life. Now, before you draw any brash conclusions, let me tell you that the man i speak of is none other than the great Coelho, Paulo Coelho. Yes, the famous author and inspirer, if there be such a word. Okay, fine, i havent had the privillage of meeting my portugese counterpart, but i did meet him on the road to Santiago.

As you, can see my great love affair with the little i know about Spain is far from over. And my limited knowledge is contented with wanting to eat tapas and paella, whilst drinking Sangrias in Andalucia, the place that invented the guitar, but where i really want to be is on that Camino that extends for miles and miles on a pilgrimage that would teach one so much more than just reaching an end.

The famous road to Santiago is one of the three pilgrimages that Christians take ending in the place where the apostle James is believed to be buried. Regardless, it has brought upon me the thoughts of these wonderful dreams. Sometimes when i sit back and wallow in thought, iam brought back to the time when i sat under the moon with a best friend, and i swore never to be contented with a 9-5 job, a stable income, and a 'wonderful' life that promises security, a high rise apartment, a dog and a husband that comes along with the package. Ironically, today he has a stable income.

As i was saying, when i met Coehlo on that Camino, his friend Petrus was saying this, maybe ill just let him tell you himself...

The first symptom of the process of our killing our dreams is the lack of time, the busiest people I have known in my life always have time enough to do everything. Those who do nothing are always tired and pay no attention to the little amount of work they are required to do. They complain constantly that the day is too short. The truth is, they are afraid to fight the good fight.

The second symptom of the death of our dreams lies in our certainties. Because we dont want to see life as a grand adventure, we begin to think of ourselves as wise and fair and correct in asking so little of life. We look beyond the walls of our day-to-day existence, and we hear the sound of lances breaking, we smell the dust and the sweat, and we see the great defeats and the fire in the eyes of the warriors. But we never see the delight, the immense delight in the hearts of those who are engaged in the battle. For them, neither victory nor defeat is important; what's importnat is only that they are fighting the good fight.

And, finally, the third symptom of the passing of our dreams is peace. Life beccomes a Sunday afternoon; we ask for nothing grand, and we cease to demand anything more than we are willing to give. In that state, we think of ourselves as being mature; we put aside the fantasies of our youth, and we seek personal and professional achievement. We are surprised when people our age say that they still want this or that out of life. But really, deep in our hearts, we know that what has happened is that we have renounced the battle for our dreams-we have refused to fight the good fight.

I believe that when one has quoted Coelho, one need not say more. I hope to someday see you, and myself on that Camino de Santiago. For now, adiós..

yours still dreamin,

jess

all quotations are taken from "The Pilgrimage" by Paulo Coelho