Easter pilgrims in NM: Slow Learning in action

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I drove to WalMart today and noticed the many pilgrims walking along the side of the road, this Good Friday. I lived in the Santa Fe/Los Alamos area for years and drove by many pilgrims on their way to Chimayo. The pilgrims I saw today must have been going to Tome.

I always think about Chaucer's Canterbury Tales when Easter comes around. I am a nerd. A bunch of pilgrims from all walks of life sharing their stories as they walk along. The stories --and the characters who told them-- ranged from the lofty to the lurid. What kinds of stories are today's pilgrims sharing? They have plenty of time to talk. They are in no hurry.

Are the conversations deeper as a result? Is it all about religion and spirituality? Does anyone talk about work or school? Do they talk about life goals and aspirations? Do friends and family who don't see each other much use this opportunity to do something together and catch up?

What about those who choose to walk alone, as I might have done, what do they think about? Is this a kind of meditation for them? Do they come to discover something about themselves as they walk? Are they taking deep breaths and appreciating the beautiful day?

I imagine it's all of that. It is a journey of introspection and community building at the same time. It is a shared reason to go out and be part of something bigger. At the end of the day, I bet every pilgrim can say they learned something meaningful -- all because they stopped running through life and took the time to walk.










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