So Hallelujah! I turned the corner and I am no longer in what seemed to be an unreasonable, post adventure funk!!! Here is a comment posted on my blog: “Who would think that after an epic life journey, sadness would follow, but it also makes sense! How did you turn the corner?”Well, I am sure that having not a couple, but several, cold symptoms contributed to my feeling low. Low on energy and enthusiasm as well as focus. Also, I rarely get sick, so I believe there was some denial/disbelief and even self berating I engaged in for not taking better care of my immune system, which I take seriously and believe I am highly in control of.  I still have a plugged up right ear, but mostly I am now “back to normal”.Maybe other contributing factors to my “blues” were leaving behind the “given” that each day would be a series of unknowns unfolding who knows how – the excitement and curiosity of what lay ahead and beyond and the butterflies in my stomach as to whether I could bring whatever it would take to meet the challenges presented to me, as well as the subsequent satisfaction of “bringing it” and continuing to move forward in and to a challenging goal…?

Maybe it was the fact that I didn’t have a set schedule to propel me into “automatic pilot” until I could engage and fire on all cylinders…? Maybe (most assuredly) it was because I went from walking miles and miles a day to very little physical activity.Sometimes figuring out the underlying reasons and the problem at hand, is the most logical way to solve a conundrum. And sometimes its just getting oneself back into a groove that is a proven recipe for success. I didn’t consciously set my sights on either, but my “Way Marker”, my “Yellow Arrow” pointed me (took me by the hand) in the most advantageous direction.My Camino pilgrimage and sightseeing adventure in Spain combined most of the components of what thrills me – discovery, travel, challenge, newness, learning, courage, fitness, growth, nature, beauty, great people, ruggedness, adaptability, passion, purpose – as well as huge banks of time to devote to a purpose, and the opportunity/ability to have fun and enjoy the process and journey. I also treasured the luxury to just walk all day – which I love, and to meditate, commune, pray to and walk with God.So I tapped in to the pieces of that formula at hand, here in the Pacific Northwest, here in K Town and within me. I got my butt off the couch!! I got back out into the budding, blooming, gorgeousness of spring that is ablaze around me!! I carved out time for the gym and for the long walks that were so dear to me when “The Camino” was a future goal, yet unplanned and when I cherished my time with God to enjoy this amazing corner of the world that I live in and to pray for humanity and the ones I love and those who need love and prayer. I renewed the passion that had just receded a bit, but that was ready to guide my daily journey of gratitude, joy and living in the moment. This moment – MY moment – the moments right here in front of me. Hallelujah!!!

I WILL go back on a pilgrimage, I have no doubt. In the meantime, I will endeavor to enjoy my “camino” wherever I go. In fact, I bought me a “way marker” in Santiago de Compostela and I am taking it with me when walking on my home turf!  It’s kind of silly, but I am posing it along my journey – for fun, to remind myself to look for “the way”, and just because I think its COOL!!  And, I guess it feels like I’m still connected to “The Camino”…