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Pismo Sebi (nakon 900 prepješačenih kilometara)

Poduzimanje prvog koraka s punim uvjerenjem gotovo jamči da će cilj biti postignut, pod uvjetom da ustrajete kroz središnji dio s punom iskrenošću.

Nakon najdužeg dana u cijelom pješačenju -- 38 kilometara -- moja stopala konačno dotiču ono što su Rimljani mislili da je kraj svijeta. Bilo je to dugo i zanimljivo putovanje od St. Jean Pied de Porta u Francuskoj do rta Finisterre, najzapadnijeg vrha Španjolske.

Nikada se ne može zamisliti utjecaj takvih hodočašća na naše živote. Sjedeći na stijeni uz svjetionik gledajući najveličanstveniji zalazak sunca u svom životu, čini mi se kao savršen završetak putovanja dugog 900 kilometara.

Toliko sam toga naučio hodajući trideset sedam dana. Naučio sam da ćeš, ako napraviš prvi korak i nastaviš dalje bez obzira koliko sporo išao, šepajući ili puzeći, kiši ili sunce, bolestan ili zdrav, sretan ili tužan.-- stići tamo. Udaljenost se isprva može činiti dugačkom i širokom, ali korak po korak, iz dana u dan, polako premošćujete jaz između početka i kraja.

Naučio sam da morate biti jasni kamo idete. U vašem umu ne bi trebalo biti sumnje, tako da kada naiđete na smetnje na putu, one neće dugo trajati jer točno znate kamo trebate ići. Prizemljeni ste na svom putu.

Nakon što steknete jasnoću vizije: uživajte u putovanju. Odredište nikada ne može biti tako slatko kao putovanje. Fokus uvijek mora biti na svakom danu, svakom trenutku. Nema poboljšanja sutra, sve je u sada. Život se rađa upravo sada.

A ako skrenete sa staze, nemojte ignorirati znakove. Ne pokušavajte ići lakšim putem, ne tražite prečace. U jednom trenutku morat ćete se suočiti sa stazom. Nema razlike između uzbrdice i nizbrdice. Oba su ključna za putovanje, dva identična krila iste ptice.

Upamtite da će put ponekad biti pun ljepote, prirode i rijeka koje teku bez napora. A ponekad ćete se naći kako hodate autocestom koja ide protiv prometa; pokušavajući da me ne pregaze i samo se nadajući da ću izdržati dan. Svejedno je, niti jedna cesta nije trajna – teren će se stalno mijenjati. Najvažnije je nastaviti u istom smjeru.

Svaki dan ima svoja iznenađenja; ne zaboravite prigrliti dobro i loše. Iskoristite trenutke za uživanje u ljepoti oko sebe. I uvijek zastanite i pružite ruku pomoći. Važnije je doći dobro raspoložen nego doći na vrijeme.

Budite dobri prema svom tijelu i umu. Dobit ćete od toga ono što uložite u njega. Ne pretjerujte s hranom, ali pripazite da dovoljno njegujete tijelo. Nikad ne podcjenjujte moć dobrog sna. A za um – nemojte se dugo zadržavati oko klevetnika i ogovarača. Ne dopustite umu da se navikne na to. Puno je bolje šutjeti i biti sam.

Ne pokušavajte hodati brzinom drugih; ako hodaš brže nego što ti noge mogu, brzo ćeš izgorjeti. Ako budete hodali sporije, umorit ćete se i od toga. Pronađite svoj tempo u životu. I hodajte u ritmu koji vam omogućuje da čujete otkucaje vlastitog srca i ostanite ugođeni uz tihe pjesme koje dolaze iz vaše duše.

Imajte fokus, ali budite fleksibilni. Ako ste kruti, možete postati krhki. Fleksibilnost uma čini život trajnijim. Pustite da negativne stvari brzo prođu kroz vas i budite zahvalni za sve dobro u životu - jer to je čarobna formula da to umnožite. Pokušajte se sjetiti da kada imate žuljeve na nogama, bol u koljenima i bol u leđima -- vaše usne još uvijek imaju sposobnost pretvoriti se u osmijeh.

Iznad svega, odgovor je uvijek -- ljubav. Uvijek.

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COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

25 PAST RESPONSES

User avatar
Shyam Mar 21, 2026
Beautiful journey , so well captured.
Take away is " it's more important to arrive in good spirits than to arrive on time". Need to remember this when I get anxious for no reason .
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Kiran Shetty Oct 1, 2025
Nanaste Guti you've capture"The Camino" journey's essence so beautifully. It is indeed always humbling to recognise a commonality of this inner experience that we are blessed with by the path. We walked from Oviedo to Finisterre, the Old Pilgrims route, in 2013.. Due to time constrains had to miss out on the Pyrennes but nevertheless it still was a
pilgrimage thats etched in my beingness-) 🙏Gracias Buen Camino!
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vinod May 25, 2025
all the wisdom for life's journey! muchas gracias!
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Brinda Oct 13, 2023
"Find your own pace in life. And walk to the rhythm that allows you to hear the beat of your own heart, and keep yourself tuned into the quiet songs coming from your soul."--so beautifully said Guri.....this whole piece was so inspiring and this quote above really resonated. Grateful to you for sharing your journey with us!
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Jinet Hamlin Jun 11, 2023
Beautifully written! Resonant with finding your own pace in life and being flexible!
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siska May 27, 2017

Not thought of by sprei waterproof if it goes over 900 KM

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Cris M Mar 9, 2014

Beautiful! I walked the Camino in 2011, part of it, though experienced the same. I think the pilgrimage has a unique meaning for each of the pilgrims, but at the same time, it is amazingly surprising that most of us experienced the same. Buen Camino!

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Surabhi Aug 14, 2012

This article is amazing everytime I read it, I find something new and inspiring. Kudoss
Just love it. Thanks Guri

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Sunchaser324 Jul 29, 2011

Guri,
you can't even imagine how this letter parallels your walk - your path - with that ofcountless others on a similar path realization. The parallels were striking. I began reading your passage and envisoned you on this walk but, my vision grew into something much more magnanimous, realizing that this is the metaphoric  key - to achieve your goal of a 37 day walk yes but of me and untold others of our own life's destination. I am enjoying the journey.

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K_boseley Jul 10, 2011

Thank you for sharing this. I connect with this piece in so many ways!!!!!! xoxo

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Barbara Hamilton Jun 18, 2011

Max Ehrman's writing "Desiderata" is my daily inspiration. I now have two to live by. This piece is beautifully written. Sincere thanks for sharing, as I plan to do as well. You are simply amazing, Guri. 

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~neha Jun 16, 2011

So simple yet so profound and so comforting! Thanks Guri!

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Mariette Jun 14, 2011

Guri, I'm just re-reading this.  Thank you for being a light that shines so brightly for the rest of us to see.  You brighten paths.  Sending you love and hugs

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Mariette Fourmeaux du Sartel Jun 14, 2011

Guri,  I just re-read this.  Thank you for sharing the light that shines within you.  It provides guidance in so many ways.  I send you hugs and love.

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Christopher Rivera Jun 9, 2011

That was beautiful, thank you so much for taking the time to share such an important message.

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Bharat Ketireddy Jun 9, 2011

wonderful guri... trying my best to embrace bad.. and trying to find my own pace. god bless!!

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Ganobadate Jun 9, 2011

My journey has no destination, no vision, no direction. It is not measured by time (days, hours) or distance (miles or kilometers). It is exciting all the time. I am learning all the time. I do not know whether it is of any value to anyone else. So i keep to myself.

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Jennifer Dastoor Jun 7, 2011

Well written, Guri. Thanks for sharing. We all need these reminders from time to time to maintain a perspective on what's important in life.

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Calu Jun 7, 2011

Bienvenida a casa peregrina! Nos vemos en el camino. Buen viaje!

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Paula Kiger Jun 7, 2011

beautifully said

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Gauri Jun 7, 2011

Dear Guri,
It's such an incredible chance to walk on the path of wisdom. I have that dream to walk on the same route since I read Paulo Coelho's  book, Pilgrimage six years ago. You are very fortunate to walk and learn along the way.
Thanks for sharing your insights with us.
Lots of love
Gauri

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Radhakrshnn Jun 7, 2011

So poignant.I wish I couldremember all the good tips and follow at least a few,in my long journey of life.Thanks for the lovely letter,and the punch line at the end,It is LOVE which will always win.

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John Donohoe Jun 7, 2011

Thank you

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Diane Nilan Jun 7, 2011

As one who's been on a 6-year journey to raise awareness about invisible homeless children, youth and families in America, I relate to Ms. Mehta's insightful observations. She walked. I downsized and have lived in a small motorhome, chronicling non-urban homelessness and poverty, reliant on others for support of my endeavors. Each step has been a mystery and a marvel.

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Nita Jun 7, 2011

This is one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. It says everything that I need to know and everything that I would like to share with my near and dear ones, especially my two children. A heartfelt thank you, Guri.