This week my daughter Marielle Velander reflects on the question she asked herself on the Camino: How can I live with more ease? We publish the first part today and the second on Thursday.
Hi Marielle - I’ve been following along and love hearing your thoughts and reflections after having “walked” with your mother’s.
I also resonate very much with the question, “how can I be more at ease?” I habitually over function and find it difficult to put things down. I no longer consider myself a perfectionist but I do slide into overworking/overthinking/overwhelming myself. It’s hard to quiet the mind when it’s used to being task master 🙃
Your poetry is lovely and I never knew there was a word for those shadow patterns amidst the trees -“komorebi”. If there’s anyplace that will quiet my noisy mind, it’s the forest. 🌳
Thank you for walking along with us, Allison. And yes, overfunctioner here, too, but I have found the more I let others take over where possible and sensible (which is more often than I think), it's really a gift to both them and me. Quieting the task master mind--that is a practice, too, for which I show myself grace for when I do manage and especially when I don't. And I know about your lovely forest walks. Perhaps you'll treat us to some "komorebi" photos on your Substack soon if you spot them.
Marielle, I very much enjoyed your very poetic and beautiful essay. The imagery of the dancing shadows in the forest has stuck with me and I love that Japanese word that you introduced. Be water, my friend -- as Bruce Lee famously said. I hope the river of life and love connects you to the essence of your sacred being, and that you will continue to bask in the afterglow of the pilgrimage with a sense of ease in your life going forward.
Hi Marielle - I’ve been following along and love hearing your thoughts and reflections after having “walked” with your mother’s.
I also resonate very much with the question, “how can I be more at ease?” I habitually over function and find it difficult to put things down. I no longer consider myself a perfectionist but I do slide into overworking/overthinking/overwhelming myself. It’s hard to quiet the mind when it’s used to being task master 🙃
Your poetry is lovely and I never knew there was a word for those shadow patterns amidst the trees -“komorebi”. If there’s anyplace that will quiet my noisy mind, it’s the forest. 🌳
I’m so glad to hear my question resonated with you and that I could introduce you to komorebi. I wish you ease, and perhaps a forest walk soon?
Thank you for walking along with us, Allison. And yes, overfunctioner here, too, but I have found the more I let others take over where possible and sensible (which is more often than I think), it's really a gift to both them and me. Quieting the task master mind--that is a practice, too, for which I show myself grace for when I do manage and especially when I don't. And I know about your lovely forest walks. Perhaps you'll treat us to some "komorebi" photos on your Substack soon if you spot them.
Marielle, I very much enjoyed your very poetic and beautiful essay. The imagery of the dancing shadows in the forest has stuck with me and I love that Japanese word that you introduced. Be water, my friend -- as Bruce Lee famously said. I hope the river of life and love connects you to the essence of your sacred being, and that you will continue to bask in the afterglow of the pilgrimage with a sense of ease in your life going forward.
I’m so glad you enjoyed my essay. I had forgotten about that Bruce Lee quote - so apt! I wish you a life of ease as well. Thank you for reading.