Author Archives: deandondavidson

There’s something deeply humbling about preparing to walk the Camino. You carry everything you need on your back.You learn to go slowly.You become deeply aware of your limits—how much water you need, how far you can walk, how much weight you can carry before your shoulders start to ache. And in all that—I’ve discovered somethingContinue reading “Preparing to Walk: The Gift of Being Small”

There’s something tender and unexpected I’ve been noticing as I prepare to begin the Camino. It’s this:I feel like I’ve already started. Even though I haven’t reached Spain,even though my boots haven’t touched the Camino itself,my heart has already begun to walk. The Pilgrimage Begins With Yes There’s a moment before any true journey whenContinue reading “Preparing to Walk: Arriving Before You Depart”

No matter how much I read, plan, or pack, I’ve come to realize:I will never be fully prepared for the Camino. And that’s okay. Because the point of pilgrimage is not mastery.It’s surrender.It’s trust.It’s being formed by the journey — not before it, but through it. A Different Kind of Classroom There’s a quiet truthContinue reading “Preparing to Walk: The Road Will Teach You”

As the Camino draws nearer, my steps have become slower—not because of fatigue, but because I’m becoming more aware of those I’m walking with. Not just the pilgrims I’ll meet along the way.But the ones who won’t be walking the Camino physically—yet whose presence, stories, prayers, and longings I’ll be carrying with every step. ForContinue reading “Preparing to Walk: Walking With Those Who Can’t Go”

When we imagine walking the Camino—or any long journey—we often think about the big moments. The mountains.The milestones.The breakthroughs. But in my preparation, I’ve discovered something even more sacred:the small things. The cool shade after a long stretch in the sun.The silence between footsteps.The quiet hello from someone walking the other way. Grace in MiniatureContinue reading “Preparing to Walk: Blessing the Small Things”

“You don’t need to see the whole path—just the next step.” As the beginning of the Camino draws near, I find myself sitting with a strange mix of feelings: Excitement.Readiness.A bit of nervous energy.And, underneath it all, a deep awareness of how much I still don’t know. I’ve prepared.I’ve walked local trails.I’ve gathered the gear,Continue reading “Preparing to Walk: Walking Into the Unknown”

There’s a difference between a tourist and a pilgrim. Tourists seek experiences. Pilgrims seek transformation.Tourists take pictures. Pilgrims leave prayers.Tourists move through a place. Pilgrims let the place move through them. As I prepare to walk the Camino de Santiago, I’ve been asking myself:Am I only preparing my feet? Or am I preparing my heart,Continue reading “Preparing to Walk: The Pilgrim Heart”

As I prepare to walk the Camino, I’m noticing how easy it is to focus on the what of walking — what to bring, what shoes to wear, what route to take, how many kilometers to cover. But beneath all of that, there’s another question rising in me—one that feels even more important:How will IContinue reading “Preparing to Walk: Walking with Intention”

As the beginning of the Camino gets closer, I find myself noticing all the little things I haven’t done. There are miles I meant to walk.Books I planned to read.Gear I’m still unsure about.Spiritual questions I hoped would be more… resolved. But here’s the thing: life rarely waits for everything to be tidy.And neither doesContinue reading “Preparing to Walk: The Gift of Being Unfinished”

As I near the beginning of my Camino pilgrimage, something unexpected has been happening. I find myself thinking less about what I still need to bring—and more about what I’m finally ready to leave behind. Packing for a pilgrimage isn’t just about shirts and socks and a rain cover.It’s about letting go. Letting go ofContinue reading “Preparing to Walk: Letting Go”