One Man’s Miracle

I was at another health and wellness fair a couple of weeks ago, promoting my trips, Winn Journeys and book. I had given my book as a raffle prize and when I heard the announcement that it was my books turn as the giveaway, I saw that a man had won the book, a man in his 70s. And my immediate thought was, “oh right, like he is really going to read my book” an immediate judgment there.

He and two ladies walked over to my table and the one lady, I believe it was his wife, read out loud from the back of my book, “What would you learn about yourself if you walked 500 miles?” She asked me what I had learned about myself. And I responded,” I learned to love and accept myself, that is why my book is named “An awakening Walk, 500 miles to self love and acceptance on the Camino de Santiago.”

She stared at me blankly and walked away, but the man stayed and told me the story of how he had just learned to love and accept himself within the last six months. He told me when he was in high school he was a big football star and very popular and got a scholarship to a good college. But within his first year of college he basically had a nervous break down and he couldn’t handle it and he left college. He told me ever since then he had hated himself and had felt a failure and worthless. He told me his whole life he had worn a mask and had gotten through life okay, but was never truly happy. He said something shifted six months ago and he decided to try and forgive himself and live out his life being happy. He told me he that I was the first person he was telling this story to.

And he said, “for the first time in my life I can say that I am happy and feel like a huge weight has been lifted”. He had tears in his eyes as he spoke and thanked me for writing my book and that he was looking forward to reading it. I have found in my talks and in my travels, self love and acceptance is not high on people‘s list to talk about, to most, it is an alien concept. They would rather just hear about the Camino, but take it from me and this gentle lovely man, please forgive yourself, please love yourself. It will only enhance your life and your relationships. I truly believe this is God’s will for us, God wants us happy!

There are still openings for September Camino and Sacred France!