In the Land of Possibilities

I left the pilgrims hostel in Rubiães with mixed feelings.  We were about to cross the international border between Portugal and Spain, and I was looking forward to it.  But, suddenly, I also realized that Santiago was getting close…perhaps, closer than I was ready for, and I wanted everything to slow down.

Pilgrims hostel in Rubiães, Portugal

The morning was fresh, and the path—water abound—was beautiful.  I was talking to a fellow pilgrim, when I noticed she would often use the word “impossible” in our conversation.  With the border now only 15 kilometers away, I reflected on the limitations and borders we set in our lives.

As young children, we live in the land of possibilities—we believe that we can do anything, be anything, have everything.  But then something happens, and we start defining the things we can and cannot do.  We replace our excitement and enthusiasm with fear and excuses for why we “can’t”.  We compartmentalize—we place our skills, our habits, our character—in small imaginary boxes and, by doing so, we continuously make our comfort zone—and our lives—smaller, and smaller.

Perhaps, it is triggered by our parents and social standards.  Perhaps, it is enhanced by unsuccessful attempts we perceive as failure.  But as the years go by, we spend less and less time in the land of possibilities: we lose faith in our abilities, we settle for average, and we come to think that this is the way things are.

Well, what if everything was possible?

Walking the Camino, witnessing nature’s greatness, letting natural forces and wisdom lead and show you the way, it becomes evident that most limitations in life are the fruits of our own making.  We define the things we cannot do and give our obstacles and limitations so much power that we become our own limitations.

A small section of the Fortaleza surrounding the old city of Valença, Portugal. All rights reserved to TrekEarth

We passed through Valença, the last Portuguese town before the Spanish border, and its magnificent Fortaleza, a huge fortress surrounding the entire old city.  In the distance, we could already see the beautiful and charming town of Tui, the first Spanish town on the Camino Portugues.  I smiled at this emblematic reminder: going beyond our limitations and borders holds the greatest promise and potential.

Tui, the first Spanish town on the Camino Portugues, as viewed from Valença, Portugal

A land of possibilities or a small box set by limitations?

Crossing the International Bridge into Spain…Viva España! :)

Crossing the International Bridge over the Miño River, I was walking slowly.  And with each step I made, I made a choice…I chose a land of possibilities.