It is still dark.

[Lexicos]

I’m sitting in my favourite chair looking at the garden through the glass doors. My first coffee for today is resting on the arm of my chair. It is still dark. Even the birds haven’t woken yet. It is perfectly still and quiet. I want to think about the Camino and I want to write about the Camino but I can’t. These are dark times. I have to be honest and brave enough to acknowledge that to myself. Our world is in such turmoil and it is filled with so much dreadful but wholly unnecessary suffering. Why do we have such poor and inept leaders in so many parts of the world? I sincerely wish that our troubles and the suffering of so many could be fixed with prayer. They can’t. Unfortunately I am an idealist. Like so many, I believe that everyone deserves a decent life. Everyone deserves a safe and secure home. And yet we seem to be getting further and further from that ideal by the day. Why? Why must it be this way? I cannot fix it. I doubt that we collectively can fix it................ The Camino is my escape from this awful truth. We are at the mercy of the whims and wants of stupid men, men and women who care nothing for the Camino or those of us who understand what it is.
God save us all! Amen.

 

[Kiwi-family]

At the risk of breaking lots of forum rules by engaging with a post that is both political and religious, I’ll just say a prayer doesn’t fix everything immediately, but ultimately it is the only answer (and I’m an idealist too)

 

[Albertagirl]

This is a very dark and depressing time. It may not be possible to drag oneself out of darkness and depression. I think that this is one of the social consequences of the pandemic. I believe that many others are in physically precarious or mentally depressed situations at present. We may not be able to heal the whole world, but perhaps we can make this time better for some of those whom we care about. It helps me to reverse my depression and despair by doing something practical for someone whose situation weighs on me. If you have, or can find, a little spare cash, give what you can to a charity that assists persons whose situation seems desperate to you, or volunteer with a charity. In your immediate setting, think of others who may be depressed and telephone them. You may be able to offer support or assistance that you did not know was needed until you called. Doing this kind of thing may not make me feel better, but it helps me to feel useful, and the situation seems a little less desperate for some others. The sun will come up again, but it is a little slow to do so right now.

 

[VNwalking]

@Lexicos, that's a beautifullg honest post. Thank you.

That knot in our stomachs is a spur to action, any action — internal or external. A call from our better selves to develop wisdom and compassion and to find a way to live in accord with our ideals.
To speak out against unfairness.
To connect with each other with kindness irrespective of our opinions.
To value truth and integrity and to simply be decent human beings, even if we're sad or angry or outraged.
To understand that we might not have the answers to difficult questions, or even how to do any of these things... but to try anyway.

This is the camino of life. It's not an easy walk.
Ultreia et suseia to us all.

 

[dougfitz]

I’m sitting in my favourite chair looking at the garden through the glass doors. My first coffee for today is resting on the arm of my chair. It is still dark. Even the birds haven’t woken yet. It is perfectly still and quiet. I want to think about the Camino and I want to write about the Camino but I can’t. These are dark times. I have to be honest and brave enough to acknowledge that to myself, loud and clear. Our world is in such turmoil and it is filled with so much dreadful but wholly unnecessary suffering. Why do we have such poor and inept leaders in so many parts of the world? I sincerely wish that our troubles and the suffering of so many could be fixed with prayer. They can’t. Unfortunately I am an idealist. Like so many, I believe that everyone deserves a decent life. Everyone deserves a safe and secure home. And yet we seem to be getting further and further from that ideal by the day. Why? Why must it be this way? I cannot fix it. I doubt that we collectively can fix it................ The Camino is my escape from this awful truth. We are all at the mercy of the whims and wants of stupid men, men and women who care nothing for the Camino or those of us who understand what it is.
God save us all! Amen.

There seems no adequate response that would not break the rules on political and religious posts. I can only wonder at the distopian world portrayed here, and be glad that I don't live in it.

 

[wayfarer]

We that have survived this hundred year pandemic so far have much to be thankful and grateful for, why dwell on the negative. This world has always been hell for some and heaven for others and I think it always will. If we can fly or drive across Europe or half way around the world to walk to Santiago we are so lucky and blessed, dwell on that rather than all that is wrong in the world.

 

[Lexicos]

I have. Though not today. Not in this post. But thanks for your timely reminder and gentle encouragement anyway. Of course, you’re absolutely right.

 

[VNwalking]

I have. Though not today. Not in this post.

Which is not a bad thing. Because opening to what is wrong in the world is the precursor to figuring out what can be done to make it a better place. All the happy talk in the universe can't erase the truth of what life offers us, in those times that are difficult. And these are difficult times for all of us. Even, for some, dystopian.
Sometimes turning away is not an option.
But getting stuck in the pain of it all is not a useful option, either.
The trick is to feel what you feel without being taken captive by it. Let it be, and let it flow.
And then do what you can do.

 

[Marbe2]

Which is not a bad thing. Because opening to what is wrong in the world is the precursor to figuring out what can be done to make it a better place. All the happy talk in the universe can't erase the truth of what life offers us, in those times that are difficult. And these are difficult times for all of us. Even, for some, dystopian.
Sometimes turning away is not an option.
But getting stuck in the pain of it all is not a useful option, either.
The trick is to feel what you feel without being taken captive by it. Let it be, and let it flow.
And then do what you can do.

Great response. We don’t want to escape such feelings without listening to what they are telling us if possible. One needs to seek balance. Sit with your feelings and allow them to speak to you. How can they advise you cognitively to a course of action!? Blessings.

 

[Turga]

Well, I guess we are into the old question of whether you think the glass is half-empty or half-full. I like to think it is half-full (and rising). That has nothing to do with sticking your head in the sand but has to do with personal attitude.

 

[martin1ws]

The glass is half-full, yes.

And I thought of the Serenity Prayer:
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.

 

[markmcilroy]

‘There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.’
(Hamlet Act 2, Scene 2)

 

[Salash]

‘There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.’
(Hamlet Act 2, Scene 2)

The challenge is in recognising your thinking, and accepting that only you have the ability to change those thoughts. So many stumble through their lives without seeing.

 

[Miki Goldie]

I stay grateful....

 

[VNwalking]

I stay grateful

Likewise.
But not blind to injustice and suffering.

 

[David Tallan]

When I start to think about how terrible current events are, and how difficult it is to live in this time, I stop and think how much worse my parents and grandparents had it living through the first half of the 20th century. They made it out of those difficult years and, through their efforts, we arrived at something better. Through our own efforts, we can make it out of this into something better.

 

[Canche]

This is a very dark and depressing time. It may not be possible to drag oneself out of darkness and depression. I think that this is one of the social consequences of the pandemic. I believe that many others are in physically precarious or mentally depressed situations at present. We may not be able to heal the whole world, but perhaps we can make this time better for some of those whom we care about. It helps me to reverse my depression and despair by doing something practical for someone whose situation weighs on me. If you have, or can find, a little spare cash, give what you can to a charity that assists persons whose situation seems desperate to you, or volunteer with a charity. In your immediate setting, think of others who may be depressed and telephone them. You may be able to offer support or assistance that you did not know was needed until you called. Doing this kind of thing may not make me feel better, but it helps me to feel useful, and the situation seems a little less desperate for some others. The sun will come up again, but it is a little slow to do so right now.

Here in Antigua, Guatemala there are thousands an thousands in need. I help people every chance i get and donate to Pilgrim house and any other needy place i can. I also find many positive things coming out of this pandemic. one example is that in my gated community i only knew 3 neighbors. Now know almost all of them and we have bonded And have Zoom events. There is a rainbow in every cloud

 

[gittiharre]

I’m sitting in my favourite chair looking at the garden through the glass doors. My first coffee for today is resting on the arm of my chair. It is still dark. Even the birds haven’t woken yet. It is perfectly still and quiet. I want to think about the Camino and I want to write about the Camino but I can’t. These are dark times. I have to be honest and brave enough to acknowledge that to myself. Our world is in such turmoil and it is filled with so much dreadful but wholly unnecessary suffering. Why do we have such poor and inept leaders in so many parts of the world? I sincerely wish that our troubles and the suffering of so many could be fixed with prayer. They can’t. Unfortunately I am an idealist. Like so many, I believe that everyone deserves a decent life. Everyone deserves a safe and secure home. And yet we seem to be getting further and further from that ideal by the day. Why? Why must it be this way? I cannot fix it. I doubt that we collectively can fix it................ The Camino is my escape from this awful truth. We are at the mercy of the whims and wants of stupid men, men and women who care nothing for the Camino or those of us who understand what it is.
God save us all! Amen.
View attachment 77749

I am so with you in your perceptions, not in the slightest bit religious myself, absolutely go down similar thought pathways. Ultimately, they don't lead anywhere other than despair. Let them spur you into action to bring happiness and joy to others. It is the only way forward and live the best and responsible life you can lead, based on your values. The world has always been a dark place for many. It is for those of us, who can, to make it a better place in our small ways. Don't underestimate the power of small deeds and kindnesses.

 

[VNwalking]

Don't underestimate the power of small deeds and kindnesses.

Absolutely.
When you drop a pebble into a big pond, the ripples go out way beyond what you can see.
So it is with kindness.

 

[Kanga]

This thread started last year, when we had little idea of what would happen. Since then the death toll has been unimaginable. But also we now have vaccines, and treatments, and knowledge.

I still love the story of Pandora's box. Out of it flew all the ills of the world, followed by hope.

 

[Kiwi-family]

I have recently been thrust into a personal darkness which at times has felt unbearable. A friend posted me a book by Sarah Clarkson “this beautiful truth” which has just been published, and indeed was written at least in part during lockdown.
She is a young lady with wisdom beyond her years. What she offers speaks directly to the question of suffering.
I trust it will bring light to some of you.

 

[Tincatinker]

Kiwi-mama, may the fire I light tonight bring you a little light. May the wine I spill bring solace.

The dark days only serve, they do not rule.

 

[Albertagirl]

This morning a friend and I, who have been praying Morning Prayer together by telephone since the beginning of the pandemic, shared that we had been living some dark days of challenged faith during this time. Then a brother in a deep dark space who has been separated from the woman he loves for more than a year by pandemic regulations telephoned me. I tried to listen deeply to his struggle. I think, now, that we shall outlive this dark time and move into the light again. I am going on pilgrimage in September to try to listen deeply to what the Spirit is telling me as I move forward into a post-pandemic world. May you all be blessed with new light in the time that is before us.

 

[Kiwi-family]

Kiwi-mama, may the fire I light tonight bring you a little light. May the wine I spill bring solace.

The dark days only serve, they do not rule.

Thanks @Tincatinker - your words will be recorded for posterity (or until my kids throw them away after my death - hopefully many years hence) in my journal.

 

[RJM]

At times it does seem impossible that anything, let alone walking the Camino, will ever be what could be described as normal again. I'm trying to remain optimistic and patient, and never self pitying or whining. At times angry that somewhere someone fed the gremlin after midnight, released the Kraken. I do keep in mind long before the pandemic was a twinkle in virus's eye there was, is and always will be vast suffering around the world. I know. I've seen it. Been a part of the finger in the dike trying to fix some of it. For now my backpack and other Camino gear is stored in a plastic bin, waiting to be used again, I hope.

 

[VNwalking]

@Kiwi-family, may the darkness soon give way to light. Prayers of well-wishing...I just put you on my daily list.