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Barua Kwangu (Baada Ya Kutembea Kilomita 900)

Kuchukua hatua ya kwanza kwa usadikisho kamili karibu kuhakikishe kwamba marudio yatafikiwa, hukuruhusu kuvumilia kupitia sehemu ya kati kwa uaminifu kamili.

Baada ya siku ndefu zaidi ya matembezi yote -- kilomita 38 -- miguu yangu hatimaye inagusa kile ambacho Warumi walifikiri kuwa mwisho wa dunia. Imekuwa safari ndefu na ya kuvutia kutoka St. Jean Pied de Port nchini Ufaransa hadi Cape Finisterre, ncha ya magharibi zaidi ya Uhispania.

Mtu hawezi kamwe kufikiria athari za hija hizo katika maisha yetu. Nikiwa nimeketi juu ya mwamba kando ya mnara wa taa nikitazama machweo matukufu zaidi ya maisha yangu, inaonekana kama mwisho mzuri wa safari ya kilomita 900.

Kuna mengi sana ambayo nimejifunza kutokana na kutembea siku thelathini na saba. Nimejifunza kwamba ikiwa unachukua hatua ya kwanza, na kuendelea bila kujali jinsi unavyoenda polepole, kuchechemea au kutambaa, mvua au jua, mgonjwa au mwenye afya, mwenye furaha au mwenye huzuni .-- utafika huko. Umbali unaweza kuonekana kuwa mrefu na mpana mwanzoni, lakini hatua kwa hatua, siku kwa siku, polepole unaziba pengo kati ya mwanzo na mwisho.

Nimejifunza kwamba unahitaji kuwa na uwazi kuhusu unakoenda. Haipaswi kuwa na shaka akilini mwako, kwa hivyo unapokutana na visumbufu kwenye njia, havitadumu kwa muda mrefu kwa sababu unajua mahali unahitaji kwenda. Umejikita kwenye njia yako.

Mara tu unapokuwa na uwazi wa maono: furahiya safari. Marudio hayawezi kamwe kuwa matamu kama safari. Mkazo kila wakati lazima uwe kwenye kila siku, kila wakati. Hakuna maboresho kesho, yote yapo hivi sasa. Maisha yanajifungua sasa hivi.

Na ukitangatanga mbali na njia, usipuuze ishara. Usijaribu kuchukua njia rahisi, usitafute njia za mkato. Utalazimika kukabiliana na njia wakati fulani. Hakuna tofauti kati ya kupanda na kuteremka. Wote wawili ni muhimu kwa safari, mbawa mbili zinazofanana za ndege mmoja.

Kumbuka kwamba wakati mwingine njia itakuwa kamili ya uzuri, asili, na mito ambayo inapita bila kujitahidi. Na wakati mwingine utajikuta unatembea kwenye barabara kuu kwenda kinyume na trafiki; kujaribu kutokukimbia na kutumaini tu kuifanya siku nzima. Yote ni sawa, wala barabara hazidumu - ardhi itaendelea kubadilika. Jambo kuu ni kuendelea katika mwelekeo sawa.

Kila siku ina mshangao wake; kumbuka kukumbatia mema na mabaya. Chukua muda kufurahia uzuri unaokuzunguka. Na kila wakati simama na upe mkono wa kusaidia. Ni muhimu kufika kwa roho nzuri kuliko kufika kwa wakati.

Kuwa mzuri kwa mwili na akili yako. Utapata kutoka kwayo kile unachoweka ndani yake. Usijiingize kwenye chakula, lakini hakikisha unautunza mwili vya kutosha. Usiwahi kudharau nguvu ya usingizi mzuri wa usiku. Na kwa akili - usikae karibu na wasemaji na wachongezi kwa muda mrefu. Usiruhusu akili kuzoea hivyo. Ni bora kukaa kimya na peke yako.

Usijaribu kutembea kwa kasi ya wengine; ikiwa unatembea kwa kasi zaidi kuliko miguu yako inaweza kwenda, utachoma haraka. Ukitembea polepole, utachoka na hilo pia. Tafuta kasi yako mwenyewe maishani. Na tembea hadi mdundo unaokuruhusu kusikia mdundo wa moyo wako mwenyewe, na ujiweke sawa katika nyimbo tulivu zinazotoka kwa nafsi yako.

Kuwa na mwelekeo, lakini uwe rahisi kubadilika. Kuwa mgumu kunaweza kukufanya uwe brittle. Kubadilika kwa akili hufanya maisha kuwa ya kudumu zaidi. Acha mambo mabaya yapite ndani yako haraka na ushukuru kwa mema yote maishani -- kwa kuwa hiyo ndiyo njia ya uchawi ya kuizidisha. Jaribu kukumbuka kuwa unapokuwa na malengelenge kwenye miguu yako, maumivu kwenye magoti yako, na mgongo wako -- midomo yako bado ina uwezo wa kugeuka kuwa tabasamu.

Zaidi ya yote, jibu ni daima -- upendo. Daima.

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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.