Reflections on Body, Mind & Spirit: Walking with Intention, Exercise for Resilience, Letting Go...
- Lisa Schaffer
- Apr 29
- 3 min read
My April Reflection
Last month I shared with you that I was preparing for a pilgrimage walk hence walking with a weighted vest and now backpack. The pilgrimage is the Camino De Santiago - The Way of St. James. The portion we are doing begins in Sarria, Spain and concludes in Santiago, Spain where the Cathedral de Santiago Compostela resides. The Tomb of the Apostle St. James is located in the Cathedral, in a crypt beneath the main altar.
I have set my intentions for this pilgrimage, as everyone will typically do, each with their own uniqueness. This is with full awareness that what I think my intentions are may change as my journey unfolds. This is true for all of us. We may think we know our purpose or what we want to do but we may be called in a different direction. We must not resist the current.
Staying open to receiving what is presented takes a certain amount of openness and a certain amount of faith.
Body - One step at a time
The route of the Camino we are taking will be roughly 75 miles. Although there are services that will carry your packs for you, my companions and I are opting to carry our own. My training involves wearing my back pack with all the items I'm taking. It's challenging trying to take so little!
As with most training, it really boils down to the mental aspect. I am doing the work now to prepare for a long journey. Day after day, mile after mile, I think of the Native American tale of two wolves; the "courage wolf "and the "fear wolf" - which one am I feeding?
After I write this newsletter, I must don my pack and walk. Sometimes the load feels heavy and sometimes light, regardless, I must keep going.
Challenge for you:
Examine where you are being challenged. Are you bringing awareness to your choices? What wolf are you feeding?
Mind - Set challenges to increase resilience
After completing a career grand slam (winning all four major golf tournaments), Rory McILroy spoke of his challenges to win were never physical, they were all part of the mental aspect of the game.
It points to how important our mental state is regardless if we are trying to become only the 6th person in history to complete a Grand Slam or how we show up at work, personal life or our meditation.
One way we can strengthen our mental health and emotional well-being is by exercising. Research shows that physical activity is strongly linked to increased resilience. This in turn is associated with lower levels of anxiety, depression, and overall psychological distress.
As Rory said, it was the mental piece that he had to conquer. Good thing he is no stranger to the gym and staying physically fit...he has now forever etched his legacy in history.
Challenge for you:
To overcome some of life's obstacles, try setting some challenges for your physical training. Prepare for a fun run, lift your personal best, or walk the Camino.
Spirit - Proceed with love and wonder
Ebb and flow. I find it curious how rhythmic the ocean tide can be. Similarly, healthy breathing patterns have a certain cadence. Day and night, winter and summer - there is that ebb and flow to nature. In the book, Rumi Daylight, Rumi reminds us that life is a flowing river - stop resisting, and trust the current.
Sometimes we just may need to embrace the unknown. What challenges lie ahead? I'm not sure what will unfold on the Camino trail but I will keep my heart open and trust the current.
Challenge for you: Where in your life are you being called to let go of control?.
Concept I'm pondering
Spiritual maturity is about surrender. The greatest peace comes not from grasping, but from trusting and letting go.
~ Richard Rohr from his book Falling Upward
To your reflection and health,
Lisa Schaffer
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