Camino de Santiago

Getting Busy Living

April 27, 2014
woman wearing backpack stands on a trail and leans against a wooden sign that says "Kortum Trail"

Get busy living, or get busy dying.” ―Andy Dufresne, Shawshank Redemption

I just re-watched The Shawshank Redemption, a movie that never fails to bring me to tears. There are a number of heart-wrenching scenes but one of the most provocative moments in this film is when Andy, the protagonist remarks, “I guess it comes down to a simple choice really; get busy living or get busy dying.”

The line struck me as particularly poignant tonight as I worked on my packing list for my upcoming Camino. Committing to making a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela on the Camino Francés this summer has been, I think, more than a simple decision to walk a long distance in a foreign country. I am coming to believe that it’s a living metaphor for making a choice to truly live rather than to simply go through the motions of living. For the first time in longer than I care to admit, I feel what is commonly referred to as joie de vivre.

I believe this journey has already begun to affect me profoundly in ways I am only just beginning to be aware of. I look forward to seeing where this path leads me.

Ultreya” my friends and fellow [email protected].

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  • mormonsoprano.com October 14, 2014 at 17:02

    Wonderful! Love that movie on so many levels. I have joie de vivre reading your blog posts and following your journey through the fun APOC conversations. 🙂 Buen Camino! – Holly

    • Sometimes She Travels October 17, 2014 at 06:19

      Holly, what a nice comment to make! I am so glad that you are enjoying my blog.

  • Wild by Cheryl Strayed - Sometimes She TravelsSometimes She Travels January 10, 2015 at 16:41

    […] Suddenly it felt like endless possibilities were unfolding before me and for the first time in a long time, I felt a sense of purpose and inspiration. […]

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