Yesterday I slowed right down. I’d walked close to 150kms in the last 6 days and my body was letting me know that it was tired. I’d been pushing myself to the limit, determined to achieve as much as possible – as is my pattern. Then I woke up with a burst blood vessel in my eye. Point taken.

My body has always spoken to me, and yet so often in the past I chose to ignore it. I’d push through, knowing I was strong, but it would take its toll.

So instead yesterday I listened, and I did the day differently. I ambled, I sat in cafes, I strolled, I conversed, and I reflected. What was interesting to me was how much I noticed that I wouldn’t have otherwise seen. And I had profound conversations, and moments of humbling gratitude for the breathtaking beauty all around me and the experience I was so fortunate to be having.

So what is the lesson?

We miss so much of the best stuff when we run in the fast lane. We don’t even know that we’re missing it. And yet, there’s a life richness and significant perspective that comes from intentionally slowing ourselves down. The irony is, everything is better – including us – when we do.

There’s something so profound about deeply feeling a lesson in your body – slow down, enjoy the journey, the destination will be what it will be. Camino life lesson number two complete.