Day 1 Pilgrims Marking the Route

WAYMARKS (ˈweɪˌmɑːk ) Definitions: noun  – a symbol or signpost marking the route of a journey.

Definition of waymark: an object serving as a guide to someone traveling; A sign or symbol marked in a prominent position in an off-road location to show the track of a footpath or route; fingerpost; guidepost; milestone.

Reflection
Let’s consider ourselves pilgrims for the next 21 days. Most of us will not travel to faraway places; we will be pilgrims in our own backyard.

We know the route. Perhaps we’ve strolled this same space for years. The ground beneath our feet is familiar. We could walk it with our eyes closed. We nod to the same tree each morning. We walk past the same landmarks. We turn right, then left and seldom vary the route. And even if we do, this street is familiar too. This green space is sprouting the same flowers as last spring. This old fence we admire is a bit more rickety but still holding its post. The brook is meandering in much the same fashion as years past.

We know the way. We’ve seen the sights. And we can still be pilgrims. Ours is a journey made with the desire to encounter the Sacred

We are pilgrims of the heart. We stroll with intention. We will pause each morning and ready ourselves. We open to seeing in a new way. We might be surprised. The familiar path might yield a wild beauty we never noticed. In the twinkling of an eye something might appear and disappear, but for a moment we see. There are thoughts to be pondered. There are practices to explore.

There are WayMarks to show us the way.

WayMark
Pause for a moment on your doorstep. Close your eyes. Be aware of your breathing. You might want to begin with an exaggerated breath. Inhale deeply for three seconds, hold your breath for 2 seconds, and now exhale deeply for four seconds.

Now just notice your breath entering your body through your nose. Be aware of the sensation of breathing. Notice how you breath in cool air and exhale warmed air. Enjoy a few conscious breaths and then begin your Stroll.

As you stroll, return to your breath. Let your breath be your WayMark today. Focussing on breathing helps us be in the present moment. Breathing is a WayMark we carry with us!