Sacha Muyo - Lessons from the Amazon Rainforest

Sunrise in my new classroom

Last November, one of my students won an all-expenses paid Me to We Trip and had the opportunity to bring 3 other friends, along with a teacher to share in the experience! We spent months dreaming and preparing for the adventure that awaited us. To be honest, I went into the experience as a teacher - knowing that I would be touched and impacted, but also expecting to have to maintain my "teacher" role. Very  early on in the journey there was a shift in the way I was living this experience. Instead of being the teacher, I became a student and the Amazon Rainforest, along with the incredible community of Mondana, became my new classroom. In this new classroom I learned lessons of: joy, gratitude, courage, perseverance, humility, grace and most of all, the importance of Minga (community members coming together to accomplish a task). It is my sincere hope that these reflections will honour and capture the true essence of the lessons learned and the seeds that were planted during my time in the jungle! 

There are experiences in life that are both uncomfortable and challenging, yet so incredibly amazing! It's the irony of these moments that makes sharing with others - that haven't lived something similar - hard to do! Truthfully, how many of you would believe me if I told you that giving up the comforts of home - meaning: being unplugged, not having unlimited access to electricity, hot water, dry clothes, and teranchela-free zones, or even something little like putting your toilet paper in the toilet and not a waste basket - could actually be fun and not all that bad? At first glance, the thought of spending  time in this type of environment could sound horrible! But in all honesty, being pushed out of our comfort zones, in very real and tangible ways, is what made this such a transformational journey for all the participants (young and older alike). 

JOY & GRATITUDE

A member of Sacha Muyo Artisan Group showcasing her work

It would be easy for me to point out all the material things that Mondana doesn't have; but if I was to do that you would easily get the impression that theres is a community filled with sadness and despair - which is FAR from the truth. What this community lacks in material goods, they make up in terms of joy, laughter and gratitude! The people we met didn't focus on what they didn't have, instead they shared with me the things that they did have! Each time we visited a local business (i.e., Vargas farm, cocoa farm, Sacha Muyo Artisan Group) the people were so proud to show us their work, but even more than that they were graciously willing to share what they had with us! Laughter was a common sound at the chosa build site! Joy and gratitude from both the community members and ourselves, overflowed and was contagious! My hope is that we can find joy and show gratitude in our lives regardless of the circumstance that we find ourselves in, because it's there! Sometimes we simply have to shift our way of looking at the situation in order to see it! Let's focus and share more of what we have, rather than focus on what we don't have! 

COURAGE & PERSEVERANCE

Our Work Boots

Stepping out of your comfort zone and willing to be stretched to new heights takes real courage. Becoming vulnerable with complete strangers and being willing to share experiences, thoughts, stories, dreams and even tears takes real courage. Being willing to ask for help, fumbling to find words or even gestures to be able to communicate your message - even if it means looking a bit goofy - takes real courage. Being willing to invite perfect strangers into your community and trust that they are there to work alongside you and not to judge you takes courage. And doing all of this day-in and day-out, despite the task that is being asked of you, the rain, the fatigue, the heat or the humidity, takes perseverance and a lot of heart! All of the participants on this journey were amazing, as were our facilitators and the community members, and each one of them reminded me what true courage and perseverance looks like. As I get ready to leave for France, where the daunting challenge of trekking 27 days, for a cause that is near and dear to my heart, awaits me, I want to remember to be bold, courageous, vulnerable and perseverant - despite the discomfort of the situation! 

HUMILITY & GRACE

Sacha Muya Chosa Build Site

We teachers are interesting people! We're use to being the leaders and to being in control of our classroom. We're use to keeping our emotions in check and to not let students know when they've gotten to us! We're warned throughout teachers college to not get too attached or too emotionally invested, otherwise it will become too draining. We're use to being the ones that point out the teachable-moments. But out in the Rainforest all of that changed! I worked alongside pregnant women, who would work long hours at the build site, despite the heat and rain. This reminded me of the importance of fully investing ourselves in our own communities; because this is what will leave a lasting legacy to its current and futur members. I worked alongside some of Mondana's youth, who were way more knowledgeable about construction then me and who were helping me complete the task at hand. These youth also reminded me about the importance of taking time to have fun, even if there's a job to be done. But the most important reminder came from a young man, who showed me that our youth are NEVER too young to make a difference in our communities and in this world! In our home communities we can all be teachers and students, as there will be times in our lives that we will need helping hand. A good teacher is not someone who tells us what to do or simply gives the person the answer or handout; rather, they must be someone who is willing to walk alongside us and work with us to get the job done. A good student is someone that is able to humble themselves and admit that they need a helping hand. I want to be a person that walks alongside those in need, but who also remembers that it's okay to admit that I don't have all the answers and to be able to ask and accept help. Most of all, I want to always remember the valuable and powerful lessons that our youth can teach us!

These are the lessons that this experience has taught me! I hope to carry these jungle seeds (Sacha Muyo) into the next journey that awaits me! More than that, I want to carry them into my classroom during the coming year and plant them in the lives of my students!

- Buen Camino

  

I'm Not a Writer, A Poet Or A Slammer....But I'm Teaching It!

I teach high school English and a few week's ago we started our poetry unit. Before jumping into Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet I decided that we'd explore Spoken Word / Slam Poetry, which my students have really enjoyed. We'll also study three other poetry genres: Concrete Poems, Free Verse Poems and Odes. In the coming weeks my students will have to write their very own poems for each of these genres. I've toyed with the idea of having my students make a video recording of one of their original poems - as part of a multi-model text (i.e., combination of words, images and text). Like so many of my iPad dream-projects this year, I figured it would be best to go through the process first to see just how "manageable" this project would be. So, last night I just started writing and words started to fill my page. Before I knew it I had my own Concrete poem - where the words spelled out END.

END IT! 

I then went through the process of speaking these words that were on my heart. What came from that was this video. Let's be honest - it's raw, it's flawed, and it was simply suppose to be an "example" to show my students. And yet, it also reflects my honest, heart filled desire to see the Fight for Freedom be more then just a "Red X" trend. I'm not a writer, a poet or even a slammer. I'm simply a high school teacher that has a heart for social change and a desire to see human trafficking abolished in my lifetime. If you don't like the words, the flow, the images or the message - that's okay - but please don't blast me with hurtful comments! Just turn off the video, leave this blog site, unsubscribe from my FaceBook feed. But if this message hits home, please consider sharing it or supporting one of the amazing organizations out there fighting for freedom!

-Buen Camino

Christmas Wish List

Please tell me that I'm not the only one that is asked every year for my Christmas Wish List, you know the list I'm talking about - right? It's the list where you're suppose to mark everything you would like to receive from your loved ones this Christmas. Systematically each family member checks off what they are going to buy you, with the rule of thumb being to vary your gift requests to be able to touch different price ranges. For instance the more expensive gifts are usually covered by my parents and grandparents; whereas the gift card type gifts - iTunes, Starbucks and others - are usually tackled by my siblings. My family truly believes that this is the best Christmas shopping method as it ensures that everyone gets what they want. It also minimizes the painful shopping experience; you know the one where you walk around the mall for hours hoping to receive some type of divine gift inspiration that will allow you  to find that perfect gift. The wish list solves all the problems that surround the Christmas gift giving tradition. There's just one little problem - I hate making a wish list! Every year I have the intention of making a list, but as I get closer and closer to Christmas I realize that I never took the time to actually write it - and the items that I may have thought of including I've already bought for myself. Meaning every year my Wish List essentially looks the same:

• Calendar
• Perfume
• White Ankle Cut Sports Socks
• iTunes Gift Card
• Tea / Coffee Gift Card

Wild gift options I know! Truth be told I want much more than this, but the reality is that my friends and family members can't get me what's on my real Wish List. What I want for Christmas this year is for "us" to do better and for "us" to be better with one another! So here's my Wish List for doing and being better this Christmas and in 2014 - thank you for any amount of effort you're able to contribute to make these desires become realities!

I Want To Have My Plans Interrupted!

Like many people I'm pretty comfortable and set in my ways. I have my routines and I'm thrown off guard when these routines are disturbed. My life is safe and comfortable and yet what I learned this past summer, is that when I surrender control, step out of my comfort zone and ultimately allow my plans to be interrupted, then there are great and exciting things waiting for me that far exceed anything that I could have imagined. I want my plans to be interrupted. I want to be willing to listen to my heart and walk away from my routine commitments if that's where I feel I'm being led!

I Want To Appreciate Every Moment in 2014

Let's face it, many of us live extremely busy lives and I for one don't take nearly enough time to appreciate the moment that I presently find myself in. Instead, I'm often anticipating the next step, which means that dismiss the goodness of the present moment. I'd be a liar if I said that I didn't have dreams and things that I want to achieve in the future. It's good to have a goal and work towards that goal - but we can't lose sight if the fact that joy can be found in the journey towards achieving that goal. I don't want to get so caught up in the rat race of life, where I run from goal to goal that I fail to appreciate the steps and the moments that brought me towards that achievement. I want to appreciate every moment this coming year and take nothing for granted!

I Want People To Be Valued, Not Treated Like Objects in 2014

People were created to be loved and things were created to be used. And yet we live in a world where things are being loved and 27 million people are being misused and abused. Far too many people are being careless either with themselves and/or with one another - socially, morally, emotionally and sexually. Every 30 seconds someone is being bought, sold and/or ordered like you would for any object - but that someone isn't an object they're a person. Modern slavery is about people; and the way we choose to fight this terrible injustice must also be about people! I want 2014 be the year where we stop "tolerating" that people be treated like objects and start fighting in a way that will allow the hopes, dreams, dignity and most importantly freedom of these individuals to be restored. 

I Want Education To Be Valued in 2014

Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affords each individual the right to a primary school education, but I wish the right afforded every person to: a quality and successful educational experience. Consequently, provincial governments would be required to take the alarming student and teacher dropout rates more seriously and come up with real solutions. So while I am thankful for my right to education and that of my students, I'm not satisfied with the fact that in some places nearly 30% of the student and teacher population are opting out of this right. Let me break it down a little and explain what these issues look like in Quebec. Right now in the province of Quebec graduation rates sits at about 70% - meaning that for a variety of reasons many youth are entering adulthood "at-risk" of experiencing all sorts of challenges. And what has been the Quebec government's response?  They have: cut funding, pulled certain resources and focused their attention on other pressing topics - have you heard about our "charte des valeurs." In turn, the demands of teaching have increased to the point where teacher burnout / dropout rates now sit at nearly 30%. Honestly, in 2014 I want my government to care more about what's in my students' head then what's on it and provide teachers with enough resources to reach every student without compromising their own health. 

I Want To Say Goodbye To Health Problems in 2014

This past year has been marked with a number of health problems for my family! I am eternally grateful for the nurses and doctors who cared for my Baba in her final days, for the team of doctors who helped my step-mom battle Breast Cancer, for the doctor that finally helped my dad quit smoking and for the team of doctors and nurses that are caring for my mom right now as I type this blog! I want 2014 to be the year where researchers find cures for cancer and early detection for cardiac diseases! I want people to take their health seriously and do whatever is necessary to either get or stay healthy!

I know that what I'm asking for at first glance is seemingly impossible, but like Nelson Mandela once said: "It always seems impossible until it's done!" I'm hoping that 2014 will be the year where we can check off some of the items on this list!

- Merry Christmas & All the best in 2014! 

I Buy Coffee, Not People!

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can." 

-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Has anyone else noticed that when placing an order - be it at a coffee shop or our favourite restaurant - we have an array of options to choose from? Take coffee for instance, short, tall, light, extra whip cream, cold, extra hot, fair-trade... Often times I stare at the barista with a dazed look on my face hoping that he/she will realize that I just want a basic caffeine fix. This doesn't just happen at coffee shops, have you ordered a pizza lately? Thin crust, thick crust, low-fat cheese, dairy-free cheese, organic flour, veggies, meat...The options are endless. These days you can pretty much order anything and have it customized just the way you want. This goes for: clothes, cars, computers, food, beverages, and sadly in Montreal (and in other cities) GIRLS! Notice that I didn't say women, because sadly the sex-trade often preys on girls as young as 12-years old (The A21 Campaign). 

Last weekend I just happened to come across an article in La Presse that named Montreal as the number one sex-tourism destination in North America. Shocking, but the situation can't be that bad right? I mean we are still talking about a Canadian city? In Montreal alone, there are between 3000-4000 girls and young women being sex-trafficked within the city and to Ontario (Toronto Sun). As Pascale Philibert explains in the article, it's come to a point that "In Montreal, you can order a girl like a pizza. You want her tall, blonde, thin, with breasts size B or D, and half an hour later, the girl is delivered to you. It's as easy as that!" When I read this I was shocked and disgusted. Even now, one week later, this reality brings tears to my eyes. Under no circumstances is this okay or should it ever be considered okay.

By now I'm sure some of you are thinking to yourselves that these women have chosen to become escorts, dancers, "masseuse" and prostitutes. And for some, this might be true. But I wonder what factors caused them to first enter the sex-trade industry? Was it poverty, a lack of education, a drug addiction, do they have children to feed? Anyone of these socio-economic factors can make people feel very desperate, and desperate people are willing to do just about anything to change their situation - even sell themselves. I have spent a great deal of time working with young people and I have never heard any of them say: "When I grow-up, I want to be trafficked..." Or, "When I grow-up, I want to be sold and delivered like a pizza..." The truth of the matter is, for many girls and young women their involvement in the sex-trade industry isn't a choice. And their "decision" to silently remain in this industry is caused by a combination of physical, emotional, and psychological chains, thus making it seemingly impossible to leave. 

It's alright to buy coffee, pizza, clothes, cars, music, computers; these objects are commodities, designed to be sold, bought and used. But people are not commodities. People were not created to be used, abused or sold. People were created from love and were created to love and be loved. And yet today, in 2013, human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal "industry" worldwide, with its over 27 million victims (The A21 Campaign). There are countries and cities that openly support this disgusting industry by creating "tolerance zones" (e.g., proposed by Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough) and "sex-boxes" (e.g., Zurich, Switzerland). And just like with any industry, these supporting countries can earn the reputation as the world's top exporting, importing and even tourist destination for the human trafficking industry!

I don't want to live in a province where its most iconic city is known globally as the best sex-tourism destination. I don't want to live in a province where women can be dehumanized and ordered like a pizza or a cup of coffee. And I certainly don't want to live in a province that tolerates the sexual exploitation and abuse of young girls and women. Instead, I want to be known as the province that takes a stand against human trafficking and that sees it abolished in the 21st century. I want to be known as the province that denounces - not tolerates - human trafficking by shouting to anyone that will listen: "People are not for sale!"

So how do we do that? How do we become the generation that sees human trafficking abolished - both locally and globally? If we want to see an end to human trafficking, we must shed light on the issue and bring it out of the darkness and into people's attention. In other words, we need to stop pretending like this problem doesn't exist, and start raising our voices for the voiceless. Ignoring the problem, or worse, pretending like it doesn't exist, won't make it go away!

We have so many different ways to raise our voices: Email, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, Blogger - the list goes on! What if every time we ordered a coffee or a pizza we prayed for the people being trafficked around Quebec, Canada, and the world? And, since we all love posting pictures of our favourite foods and drinks, what if we posted a picture of our coffee or pizza (or whatever we ordered) reminding people and especially public officials (i.e., Prime Ministers, Presidents, Members of Parliament) that: "We buy coffee, NOT people!" or "We order pizza, NOT people!" 

If we're serious about ending human trafficking, then we need to start by shedding light on the topic. I for one am committing myself to Praying and Posting whenever I place an order as a sign that I will not remain silent in the face of this social injustice!

How about you?

Here's a few people you might wish to include if you're posting a photo!

Prime Minister Stephen Harper: @pmharper
President Barack Obama: @BarackObama 
Pauline Marois, Première ministre du Québec: @partiquebecois
Philippe Couillard, Chef du parti liberal: @phcouillard 
Denis Coderre, Candidat à la marie de Montreal: @DenisCoderre
Canadian MP's on Twitter

Will I Be Someone that Speaks-up? Stands-up? Or, Shuts-up?

I've always been a bit intense, determined, and passionate. There have been times when this drive was somewhat unhealthy; for instance, when I would be training on the treadmill at the St. Denis Centre (University of Windsor) and I would see someone running at a faster speed than me, I would increase my speed just a wee bit so as to not be outdone. There were also my silent dinners with my grandma following a basketball game loss. You see, my grandma was probably my biggest basketball fan and in the dead of winter she would take a Greyhound bus 6 hours (roundtrip) to come watch me play. Often after a game she would take me for dinner and if we had lost the game, you could be sure that I wouldn't say a word, except to say how I would right the situation in the next game, until the end of our shared dessert. Then there are the healthy examples, such as when I worked at camp I would get fired up about our "at-risk" campers and how we could make their one week at camp the best experience ever for them. I can remember being a case worker at a group home for Child and Family Services and I regularly felt like I was having my heart ripped out every time I heard a gut-wrenching tale of abuse. It's there I decided I had to do everything possible to work with these type of youth once I became a teacher. This passion, ultimately helped me get involved with the Muskoka Woods Leadership Program while at Grad School, and drove me to essentially complete an internship with the school board and write a 300+ page thesis.... Again, intensity, determination and passion have marked many of my life's decisions and actions.

Anyone who knows me would say that Social Action has always been important to me. A friend of mine often asks, "What are you doing to change the world this week?" I usually answer that I'm not doing anything extraordinary, I'm just trying to be faithful and give back to my community in ways that have been placed on my heart and with the gifts that have been given to me. I'm not sharing these things with you to toot my own horn, but rather show you that I've always been someone who gets fired up easily when I feel passionate about something; this way you won't mistake what's been stirring in my heart for the past 2 years as a "Camino" moment that will pass in a few weeks once school starts back-up!

Two years ago I watched a documentary called: Nafarious, Merchant of Souls and truth be told I haven't been the same since. The documentary looks at the disturbing trends of sex-trafficking, an atrocity that isn't just happening over there in Eastern Europe and in Asian countries, but that is happening in Canada, the US and across the world. In fact, there are approximately 27 million victims of human trafficking worldwide (The A21 Campaign); with over 43% of all victims being sexually trafficked (UN Global Compact Fact Sheet). There are countries where this systematic abuse is happening out in the open, while in other countries its more hidden, to the point where the public wouldn't dare suspect that this is happening in their neighbourhood. Slowly I've been becoming more informed and sensitive to the issue, but unfortunately until recently, I never felt that it was necessarily my cause to fight for. And then, I started hiking across Spain! I remember hiking into big cities - but especially in Léon - and seeing giant billboards as you entered the city featuring a young woman, probably no older than 16 years-old wearing very little and positioned very seductively and written in two different languages below this girl was:"For a sexy night in the hottest city call..." I was disgusted to the point where I can no longer ignore this problem! That young woman could have been one of my students - and more importantly she is someone's daughter.

When I hear stories about young girls systematically being taken, then sold and raped 30-40 times per day, my heart breaks and I feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problem. But what can I do? I'm simply one person.... As a teacher, I try to encourage my students to not use this as an excuse for not doing the right thing; so why should I? Edward Everett Hale (1902?) once said: "I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something...What I can do, I should do..."

Last year when studying the problem of bullying with my grade 8's I told them that when they see, hear and learn about cases of bullying in our school they have 3 realistic options:

• Option 1: Speak-up for the cause/victim.
• Option 2: Stand-up for the cause/victim.
• Option 3: Shut-up and let the problem continue. 

In all honesty our society is faced with these same 3 options in response to the problem of human and sex trafficking! In 2003, the United Nations implemented the Palermo Protocol, which outlines 20 Articles aimed at Preventing (speaking-up) and Protecting (standing-up) people from human trafficking, as well as Prosecuting (standing-up) the perpetrators of these heinous violations of human rights. Carol Brusca (2011) has examined the effectiveness of this UN protocol and adds that educating and making people aware of the stories and the issue will be the cornerstone to preventing (and eventually ending) human trafficking in 21st century. Nowhere is it suggested that society turn a blind eye and pretend like the problem of slavery is a thing of the past and no longer exists!

I for one can no longer choose to look the other way and ignore this issue! So, I'm going to choose to speak-up and stand-up, which is why you've probably seen some different Facebook quotes in recent days! Getting involved will look different for each person. My friends that live in Winnipeg's West-End, where sadly a lot of juvenile prostitution takes place, have motion lights and helpline posters plastered on that back of their fence so that these victims know that help is available. There are a lot of great local and international organizations doing amazing work that could always use support (see links). In this next season I'm curious to see how my gifts, along with my fiery-drive, will be used to get involved in this fight!

- Buen Camino

Links:

Manitoba Provincial Initiative: http://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/traciastrust/index.html

Quebec Local Initiative: http://www.maisondemarthe.com/1_francais/Accueil.html

International: The A21 Campaign : http://www.thea21campaign.org/index.php#.Ug_ozWTwJFt

International: Exodus Cry: http://exoduscry.com/

A Picture's Worth a 1000 Words

I arrived home last Thursday from my 6 week adventure across parts of France and Spain. I was surprised at the airport by my dear friends, who made signs with yellow arrows and St. James shells for me, so that I would be able to find my way home!

My friends also graciously went grocery shopping for me, buying me some of my favourite things (i.e., chocolate milk and strawberries), so that I could comfortably settle in at home and rest. I'm not sure I've done all that much resting - I've been waking up between 5 and 6 am since arriving, and have already been biking and hiking twice since arriving home. Nonetheless, I was very touched by their generosity and despite being tired, it was great to be able to catch up with them.

A lot of people have been asking me about my "trip." Questions such as: how was it? What was it like? Did you enjoy it? What was your favourite part? When can I see pictures? You know the typical questions one would ask anyone returning home from a long trip. Normally I would have no troubles answering these questions, but this time I find myself a little lost for words. Hiking the Camino wasn't your typical trip! Instead, it was a transformational experience. I don't know just yet what has changed, but I know that I feel different. 

It's hard to put into words the things that I did, saw and experienced during my 34 days of walking, which is approximately 900 km. I could show you pictures and tell you stories, but I'm not sure to truly do those moments justice. The Camino gave me a lot of time - time to see beautiful things, time to meet amazing people, time to experience joy, time to be grateful, time to relax, to laugh, to cry, to reflect, to pray and then laugh again! I hope this video captures some of that! I've used the song Stand By Me, because my Camino Family and I would often start randomly singing that song at the start/end of the day, in supermercados, in coffee shops....pretty much anywhere and everywhere! It sort of became the unofficial theme song of the journey, because you really can't do this journey alone! Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/Ku2Uvki-Bu0

- Buen Camino

On My Way Home

 I officially have  began my 3 day journey home. Last week when I arrived in Santiago I wasn't ready to go home, but after walking to the end of the world - Finisterre - watching the sunset and relaxing on the beach for a few days, I am now ready to come home. Walking these last 100 km has brought closure to this journey. When I arrived in Finisterre I felt that it was the end and that I didn't need to walk anymore. In fact, the last 3 days were quite different from the rest of the journey - it was more of a celebration and a time of joy and laughter, rather then moments of reflection, introspection and prayer, which had been so present during my Camino.

In someways ending the journey was almost as hard as starting it. The hardest part about heading home isn't the packing, the traveling, or even the jet-leg, it's saying goodbye. Ironically, 6 weeks ago I was anxious about starting this adventure because I would be alone, and yet last night was the first night I was by myself in an albergue the entire trip. Even there I spent the evening running into familiar faces from the Camino in Santiago, which was nice! 

The "goodbye process" officially started last Wednesday when we arrived in Santiago, as various members of my Camino family started to leave for home. Yesterday, I had to say my last, and by far my hardest, goodbye to Szabi, aka "Mr Compostelle," the person I began this journey with 5 weeks ago, which out here feels like a lifetime, as the concept of time just seems to stop. 

We both knew this goodbye would have to happen at one point, but we were both kind of dreading it. There were not a lot words, as we have had 900 km to say anything and everything to one another. Instead, there was a deep level of appreciation and recognition for what the other (and the many others) had contributed to each others individual journey. It was a beautiful moment that I will treasure forever. 

A good friend once gave me a magnet with a famous quote that talks about the different people that come in and out of our lives. It says that throughout our lives we will encounter different people that will leave footprints in our lives. Sometimes these people will stay for a few moments, while others will stay a lifetime; regardless of the amount of time, people have the ability to leave lasting footprints in our lives. On my Camino I walked with people for a few moments, a few days, and for the entire journey, each of these people have shaped my experience and have left a footprint on my life. 

These people don't just exist on the Camino, they exist in our daily lives! They are our family, our friends, our coworkers, our teammates, our neighbours, or simply the person we briefly smile and say hello to as we happen to cross paths. These people mark our lives and fill our hearts - and today I am filled with a great amount of gratitude for these people. 

I started this journey nearly 6 weeks ago searching for direction in this next season of my life. And as I left my hiking shoes at the entrance of the Cathedral and board the plane, I feel that my heart is full and that it is time to come home! I also left 6 weeks ago with multiple flight delays and today my first flight to Paris was delayed for over 1 hour - hopefully it's the last of the delays because I'm ready to come home!

- Buen Camino