One of the gifts of preparing to walk the Camino de Santiago has been learning to walk slowly—on purpose. Not just to build endurance or break in boots, but to actually notice where I am.
And here’s what I’ve been finding:
There’s so much beauty around us that we usually miss.
A wildflower growing between two cracks in the pavement.
The way the river catches morning light.
A tree that’s been there longer than I’ve been alive, patiently holding its place in the world.
I’ve walked these local trails many times. But when I slow down — when I walk like a pilgrim instead of a commuter—everything changes.
There’s a different kind of seeing that opens up.
Not just with the eyes, but with the heart.
It’s as if God has been leaving gentle breadcrumbs of beauty all around, whispering:
“You’re not alone. I’m here too.”
The Gift of Noticing
One of the things I’m learning—even before I set foot in Spain — is that noticing is a spiritual discipline.
It takes intention.
It takes stillness.
And sometimes, it takes stepping off the trail just to sit and be amazed for a minute.
When I finally begin walking the Camino next month, I know there will be breathtaking views—cathedrals, mountaintops, sunrises in ancient villages.
But I’m just as committed to noticing the small things:
A smile from a stranger.
A bird in a fountain.
The quiet presence of God in the dust and stones.
The Invitation
So as I prepare for the Camino, I’m practicing the art of holy noticing.
And I invite you to join me.
Today — wherever you are — take a moment to stop.
Look at something you’d usually rush past.
Let it speak. Let it still you. Let it bless you.
Because beauty is everywhere.
And God is in the details.
Thanks for journeying with me in spirit. I’ll keep walking slowly—and noticing.
Buen Camino,
Fr. Don+