Book Review: Walking Home by Sonia Choquette

When I heard Sonia Choquette wrote a new book about her pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago, I absolutely could not wait to get this book in my hands. I had to wait several weeks because it was out of stock, but I knew I needed to read this. I knew it would be phenomenal, and it was even better than I anticipated.

Sonia Choquette is a best-selling author and six-sensory spiritual teacher. Walking Home takes the reader on a journey along with her through a 500-mile pilgrimage over the Pyranees and through Spain called the Camino de Santiago. Yes, she walked 500 miles! This trek has been walked for centuries and leads to the shrine of St. James. In the Middle Ages over a million Catholics made the journey as a way to be forgiven for their sins and begin again. It became known as The Way of Forgiveness.

Sonia decided to make the journey to work through the sudden deaths of her brother and father, as well as the dissolution of her marriage. What I love about this book, is that I felt like I walked with her. She held nothing back in this book, every emotion came forth and I related to so much of it. I loved getting to live every day of her journey through her thoughtful description of the scenery, the food, the people. Everything was portrayed with such clarity, that even my feet were sore after her daily hikes. I also loved the pictures she shared in the book too, that was such a treat.

It was amazing to feel someone's transformation. To see them go from broken to reborn. There were so many times I saw myself in her trials and felt so much better that I was not the only one who felt so many ways that she did. I felt like I was growing and changing along with her. There was anger, yelling, singing, praying, heartache, joy, laughter, and it was all wonderful!

I am humbled by her raw honesty, and truly grateful for Sonia's willingness to share so much of herself. It reminds me of a Rumi quote: "Tear off the mask, your face is glorious." How hard is it to truly allow who you really are to be seen? I mean all of it, the good, the bad and the ugly. What a triumph to be vulnerable and let go of what other people might think! This book is such a gift, a permission to let it all out, and then let it all go.

There was magic in Sonia's journey. So many miracles that she shared, and they became more powerful as the journey came closer to Santiago. This book was pure indulgence to me, and I absolutely luxuriated in it every night. I couldn't wait to walk another day of the journey with her. And as the book was getting closer to the end, I was feeling sad because I didn't want it to end! It has been such a long time since a book made me feel that way. This is one of the few books I know I will be reading again and again, because I know I will receive new insight each time.

This is clearly a movie waiting to happen. I highly recommend Walking Home. It is for those who are going through a struggle, those who need to forgive or be forgiven, those who need to let go of the past, those who need to appreciate the beauty in themselves and others, this book is for everyone. Let the magic begin!

In Gratitude,

Kerri
www.suitablegifts.com

Who Is Judging Who?

Lately my stories seem to happen when I'm walking.  It's been quite a road, to say the least! But the road has been paved with wonderful lessons, and I'm looking forward to what is next. 

As I finished up my three mile walk, I came upon one of my neighbors as I was heading back to my house to cool down. With sweat dripping from every pore on me, my neighbor decided she wanted to chat. I'm working on getting myself back into shape, but I certainly am still in the early stages where only I can notice the change.  She started to talk about her knee and how it was bothering her, and then quickly segued into ranting about her husband. She was disgusted by him because he is overweight.  

My first thought was, do you see who you're talking to? I'm literally a hot mess over here! I often take this walk with my husband, and he looks exactly the same as when he started, I look like I hosed myself down and painted my face bright red. I am not exaggerating in the slightest.

My second thought was, how could she speak of her husband this way? From my viewpoint, he is such a hard working man, very kind and loving towards his kids, always ready to help out a neighbor, and never speaks unkind of others.  

I was unnerved as she continued to say how sloppily he dressed, how his belly was hanging out over his shirt, and how he refused to do anything to help himself. She went on and on and on.  I felt the need to gently express the other side, because I have been heavy and thin, and heavy and thin again.  I know how hard it is for some people to lose weight.  I told her the things that I have gone through on my journey, but she was bent on being angry and critical. I told her I would pray for her husband. She rolled her eyes and said "Yeah, he needs prayer alright."

I left feeling upset and angry that she could speak of her husband like that.  I felt righteous in my judgement of her judgement of her husband.  Oh...wait a minute, am I'm judging too?  But my judgment is accurate, right?

No it wasn't.  I wish I could figure out all of these things right away, but honestly I am beginning to enjoy the lessons I am learning.  I have been reading non-stop all summer.  It has been a wonderful treat to myself to take the time to luxuriate in a good book. Most of what I read is of a spiritual nature, and I also love biographies.  The book I am now reading is called Codependent No More by Melody Beattie. It was recommended to me over a year ago. I bought it but never read it. Quite interesting that I picked this time to begin. 

I always thought being codependent referred to those involved with alcoholics or drug abusers. It means so much more.  It is anyone who has allowed someone else's problem to become their own, at the expense of taking care of their own needs.  I specifically read about people who are in relationships with overeaters. It was amazing to have the judgement I had towards my neighbor revealed to me from an entirely new perspective.  The situation impacts both of them.

I read that the codependent often seems angry, critical, hostile, manipulative, and controlling. Wow. Everything that I judged in my neighbor was as wrong as her judgement of her husband. As I read on, I understood more about her perspective, and my view of her "attitude" softened. I thought back about our conversation and I heard her words differently this time.  She was worried about her husband, her kids, her life.  She felt helpless and not in control of the situation. 
  
I also understand myself better.  I didn't realize I was being critical too, Now I notice quicker when I am judging someone, and I stop myself in my tracks and let it go.  I am being gentler on myself too, I know I'm learning.  And now I pray for them both.

In Gratitude,

Kerri
www.suitablegifts.com

My Walking Prayer

I began walking as a journey to get back to fitness and good health. I didn't expect it to be a spiritual journey as well. 

I have been finding more and more that the path I'm heading down never leads to where I think it will, and most times it leads to something even more wonderful than I had imagined. I began walking as a way to get back into shape. I allowed stressful thoughts, work, and life wreak havoc on my body. It was getting to the point of being very unhealthy, and I was ready to make a change.

Walking is not my favorite activity. I have extra bones floating around in my feet, and walking or even standing can be excruciating at times. Being outside in the Texas heat is also not a love of mine, I sweat just thinking about it. But I wanted something that could ease me back into better health, so I plodded forward.

I started with a mile and a half a day, the perimeter of my subdivision.  It was quite the trek at first scaling the hilly terrain with the painful feet, underused lungs, blazing heat, and bad attitude. I thought perhaps the attitude was the main problem, still I plodded on.

In the beginning I carried a heavier load than my weight,  I just didn't realize it at the time.  I felt that I was all alone, but all of my thoughts came with me.  They were not good company.  Many times they talked about what bad shape I was in, brought up everything I ever did wrong, reminded me of things they thought I should feel guilty for, or others who upset me.  My mind would race. The blood would be pumping from anger or hurt, not from exercise. I really started to dread the walks. Yet still, I plodded on.

But I was feeling physically better,  and I got my self up to 3 miles a day in a short amount of time.  I had more energy, changes were happening.  But what to do with my travel companions? It was truly time to let them go.  I was ready for that change too.

I thought about all I have been doing towards a spiritual path, and realized that I could literally walk that path every day.  I set aside time to meditate, to focus on what I want to attract into my life, but I never thought about doing that during my walks.  

Once I realized all of the negativity I was bringing along with me, I was able to release it the same way I do when I meditate.  I begin my walk with a mindful presence.  I notice everything around me, especially when my mind starts to wander.  It is very easy to come back to focus when you look at the trees, the butterflies flitting by, or the squirrels chasing each other around a tree.  

The next step for me was prayer.  As I round the first hill and the road levels, I begin my prayer.  I am at the point where I don't care who is around, or if they think I'm talking to myself.  The prayer is what's important, not what others think.  I also don't care if anyone sees me make the sign of the cross to close my prayer, it's something that feels right for me.  

I pray to God, to Jesus, to the angels. These companions on my walks are so much nicer! I thank them for everything in my life, even the things that seem bad.  In fact, my entire prayer is a thank you. I know in my heart now that what looks like a problem, is really a blessing. I just need to trust. 

I pray with thanks for what I want to bring into my life, and I pray in present tense as if it's already here.  I pray for my family, friends, and strangers. I pray for those that I am having difficulty with.  I have learned that the difficulty only lies in my choice to be upset, not in them anyway.  I have also learned that I don't need to have a battle with myself anymore either. Now that I have chosen to be lifted up through prayer on my walks, the pain has been lifted too: from my heart and my feet. And now I march on!

With Gratitude,

Kerri

www.suitablegifts.com