Blaine A. Rada - From Sore Soles to a Soaring Soul: Changing My Life One Step At a Time On the Camino De Santiago

Copyright 2019 by Blaine A. Rada

Cover and author photos copyright 2018 by Blaine A. Rada

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the author.

Print ISBN 978-1-54397-508-6 | eBook ISBN 978-1-54397-509-3

Dedication

Dedicated to those who seek to transform their lives.
I honor your journey.

Preface

I never intended to write this book, but life had other plans.

As I walked the Camino de Santiago, I made notes of my insights and observations, planning to write a more complete summary so Id have a written record, knowing my memory of the events would fade over time. I also thought my family and a few friends and colleagues would be interested in reading about my journey.

Several months passed after returning home before I reviewed my notes and began writing. In the meantime, Id shared stories from my adventure with dozens of people, and many of them wanted to know more, and specifically were interested in reading whatever I ended up writing.

As a professional speaker and trainer, I started sharing bits of my Camino experience in my presentations, and again found that people were curious and wanted to hear more. Unlike most of the subjects I speak about, this one connected with people on a very personal level. This motivated me to get busy with the writing, still thinking this would just end up being a document Id email to friends and family.

As I got into the writing process, I realized it was the largest writing project Id ever attempted, and that I had a short book in the making. The thought of it now as a book pressured me to create something significant. I felt perhaps this effort needed to be bigger than just my walk across Spain.

But how? Should I infuse my story with lessons about business, something that would appeal to a broader audience? As I tried to do this, it became clear that was not my purpose. I simply needed to write a daily account of my trek, one step at a time, just as the Camino had been for me.

The Camino de Santiago is a profoundly personal experience for each pilgrim on the path. In these pages, I have shared mine with you, in the hope that you will have your own personal experience in reading it.

Acknowledgements

I dont believe we accomplish anything of significance by ourselves. Id like to thank a few people whove had a considerable influence on me, especially related to my walk across Spain.

For as long as I can remember, my mother has showered me with love and believed in me. We had many adventures together as I was growing up, and I owe some of my adventurous spirit to her. Thanks for the many memories, Mom. I love you.

My father, father-in-law, mother-in-law, and stepmom have shown me how to live life with intention, discipline, and kindness.

My children, Thaddeus and Sequoia, have given me the greatest privilege, responsibility, and joy of my life, being a parent. Theyve taken the strengths and weaknesses Ive shared by my example and made their lives their own. I hope you know how proud I am to be your father.

There are of course, many other friends, family, and colleagues who have influenced me in ways theyll never know. I admire and appreciate all of you. A special thank you to those who read earlier versions of this manuscript and made it better with their suggestions.

To my editor and writing coach, Kelly Joy Simmons, thank you for believing I had something of value to share with a larger audience than I imagined, and for helping me get to the finish line.

Finally, theres one person who I credit with transforming my life in every way possible. Jacki, youre my soulmate and best friend, and you inspire me to keep becoming a better version of myself. I especially appreciate that you love me even when I fall short of who Im capable of being. I love you more!

Pay Attention to Intention

Do you like going for long walks?

Being asked this question by a fellow pilgrim, or peregrino , a few days into my month-long journey walking 500 miles across northern Spain seems ridiculous. And then I realize its a brilliant question. It seeks to answer why someone would embark on such a challenge.

The Camino de Santiago is a 500-mile pilgrimage from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. The Camino became more popular with Americans in 2010 with the release of the movie The Way , but its been walked by millions of people for over 1,200 years. There are as many ways to walk the Camino as there are people who do it. Whats consistent is that ordinary people are doing something extraordinary.

Honestly, I dont like walking.

Walks with my wife are pleasurable because it gives us quality time together, but the walking itself isnt that enjoyable for me. Ive been a runner for over thirty-five years and Id much rather run than walk. The first time I did a ten-mile walk to prepare for the Camino, I hated it.

Why would I walk across Spain if I dont like walking? When I first learned about the Camino from the movie The Way, I simply knew it was something I would eventually do.

Several years later I decided it was time, and I booked my flights a year before I would take the trip. Over the course of that year I didnt think much about why I was doing it, but when I started to prepare more seriously a few months before leaving, my reasons for walking the Camino came into focus.

I begin to pay attention to my intention.

Surrender

Some people spend more time planning their vacations than the time theyre on them. Sometimes that person is me. Ive spent much of my life planning, organizing and trying to be in control of everything. I want to do the Camino because it will force me to let go of my need to control and allow me to just live day to day, step by step.

Sacrifice

Im reaching a point in my life when Id like to give more of myself for a greater good, and I hope to get some insight into how I can do that. In order to give more of myself, Ill need to be willing to sacrifice some of my personal comfort and security.

Storyline

It seems like the years are rushing by and Im hardly noticing them. If all goes as planned, Ill finish the Camino on my 54th birthday. Id like to invest those 54 years into my 55th and beyond, instead of just getting through another year. Ill have a lot of time to think about my life experiences, and the lessons learned along the way.

Suffering

This may sound like a strange reason to do something, but Ive found that pushing myself beyond my comfort zone, especially physically, allows me to gain insights I wouldnt get otherwise. My athletic endeavors have included marathons, ultramarathons and an ironman-distance triathlon, and Im always up for a physical challenge. For me, suffering is the price I pay to learn more about myself .

Spiritual

The Camino is considered a pilgrimage. I dont have a specific religious mindset, so the definition of pilgrimage that works for me is a physical journey with a spiritual intention. My hope is to return a better version of myself, Blaine 2.0. For instance, I want to be more patient, more tolerant of others and less judgmental. Im seeking to be transformed .

During my preparation, I came across these thoughts on pilgrimage from Parker J. Palmer that resonate with me:

Most of us arrive at a sense of self and vocation only after a long journey through alien lands. But this journey bears no resemblance to the trouble-free travel packages sold by the tourism industry. It is more akin to the ancient tradition of pilgrimage a transformative journey to a sacred center, full of hardships, darkness, and peril.