Camino Gratitude Portugal

After 400 km of Camino walking from Porto to Santiago to Finisterra and Muxía, my 2025 Camino insight is Love = God = Joy. God is the source of all love and produces all lasting joy. Perhaps I was inspired by Raymond Myers’ observation that “Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk.”

Today marked my final 2025 Camino de Santiago walking day, 40,000 steps from Finisterra to Muxía under perfect conditions: 60-70 degrees with clear blue skies and a gentle breeze. My last day overflowed with treasured moments: following creeks as they wound toward the ocean; conversing with an elderly Spaniard about the hidden coffee shop in Santo Estero de Lires; pausing to absorb the joyful chorus of birds; sharing final steps with newfound friends; and finally reaching the furthest point of the Camino at Muxía, where the Atlantic stretches to Cape Cod. Today was pure and complete joy, truly one of the finest days of my life.

My closing reflection from the 2024 Camino still resonates deeply: “Walking the Camino de Santiago unites our humanity with God’s divinity in a way different from traditional church worship. Through nature, God manifests a physical love, drawing deeper relations. God’s love is unmistakable through physical creation—walking beneath billions of stars, witnessing the yellows, reds and oranges at sunrise, listening to hundreds of birds greeting each morning, feeling the breeze against my skin, the fragrance of wildflowers and countryside farms. I firmly believe God’s creation stands as a testament of love to humanity. God’s intention is to nurture and inspire a more loving relationship between ourselves and neighbors. Along the way, I encountered people from across the globe, each carrying unique stories—some heartbreaking, others uplifting.”

As I reflect on this sacred journey, I’m reminded of wisdom from fellow travelers:

“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” John Muir

“Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence.” Henry David Thoreau

“Lovely days don’t come to you; you should walk to them.” Rumi

“All walking is discovery. On foot we take the time to see things whole.” Hal Borland

“Thoughts come clearly while one walks.” Thomas Mann