The Way – to Give Thanks

Last Tuesday I had an accident in our back garden. I was chasing Oscar, our new puppy, and slipped on some mossy decking. I fell on my back and tore the intercostal muscles between my ribs.

Let’s just say, it hurt, and still does nearly a week later.

Having to be still has made me realise just how much I take for granted my mobility and health. To be able to just go for a walk, a drive, to lay down to sleep. To play guitar and sing. I’ve not managed to do any of these things for a week.

It has helped me to remember just how lucky I am.

Before I fell I had been thinking of pilgrimage. I have friends who have walked the Santiago de Compostela and maybe one day I will take that path – I know it’s something I would love to do in this lifetime. In the mean time I am considering a pilgrimage to give thanks for my physical body, for its ability to heal, when I can walk a good distance again.

Where to? I don’t know yet. But it’s something feel I need to do.

The Way is one of the most uplifting films I have ever seen. It’s challenging, and the beginning is more than a little upsetting, but the message behind the film is beautiful. If you haven’t seen it, do try. It’s on Netflix and is well worth tracking down.

 

20 responses to “The Way – to Give Thanks”

  1. I loved The Way too, and the interviews with the cast in the DVD ‘special features’ were perhaps the most moving part for me, so check them out too if you can.

    If you decide to walk The Camino I’ll lend you a rucksack that knows the way Damh!

    • Cheers Corwen. It’s truly something I would love to do and it would be very handy to have a rucksack I could ask for directions! 🙂

  2. I am sorry to learn you had such a debilitating fall Damh, but pleased it was not worse. It has certainly given you time to reflect.

    Blessings for a full recovery.

  3. I think that going on a pilgrimage is a brilliant idea. More power to you. And hope you fully recover.

  4. I love the blog, Damh, and I’ve just recently found the podcast and adore it. This post, though… I know what you mean, about feeling the call to do this kind of a walk. Last year I hiked the Appalachian Trail, 2200 miles of mountains on the east coast of the US, and it really brought me to a connection with nature that led me to the OBOD site, which led me to the blog.

    The road goes ever on!

    I’m sorry about your injury, and I wish you speedy healing and safe journeys. Blessings!

  5. We had a wonderful time on Saturday but you were really sadly missed. Just not the same at penstowe without the Bard. Wishing you a speedy recovery and our love to you and your family.

    • I’m so glad everyone had a good time, I missed you all greatly. So third time lucky for the Damh/Kate/Corwen gig next year!

  6. I do hope you feel better soon, I’ve had lots of similar injuries from handling & riding horses. Like you say it does make you think about stuff we take for granted!

  7. So WHAT ROLE DOES POLITICS PLAY TODAY (11.03.2014)?

    1. Mr Bow Crow died today of a heart attack. He was ‘a Communist Socialist’, he was 52 years old & a Trade Unionist. He may have ‘lost the plot’ BUT he read Marx….maybe not as recently as I have.
    2. One of the ‘Ethical Banks’ in the UK (the Co-op) the Chief Exec. Mr Euan Sutherland resigned today as well…..this is my bank of choice.

    It’s all very well to hug trees and sing tunes & object to fracking BUT where do you think the Goddess might think that all this is GREAT? Sorry to be cross as at early morning today I paid £15 to get the intro. stuff for the Order of Bards & stuff. I hope it lives up to my expectations. Ribs bruised may hurt but at least you’re still alive Damh.

  8. Hi,

    So sorry to hear about the accident. Ouch! I feel the same way about being thankful and not taking things for granted. I remember that almost every single time I turn on the water to wash my hands or take a shower. I’m so thankful to have clean water. Your post inspires me to include this same feeling to mobility and health. <3

  9. Hey Damh, missed this post before. Hope you are well on the way to mending. I have been on a very long journey back to health after having had Lyme disease for over ten years undiagnosed. The simple pleasures of doing a little art or a morning practice or even a meditation without being exhausted for it are returning to me. It is just amazing to be able to do these things again! I have certainly learned to appreciate the little things and also not to assume that someone who looks well is well. There is a bright side to every experience, even one as crappy as Lyme.

    Give Oscar a hug and kiss for me!

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