An Excerpt from Walk in a Relaxed Manner: Life Lessons from the Camino by Joyce Rupp

Joyce Rupp's edifying and inspirational account of her pilgrimage at the age of 60 along the Camino de Santiago in Spain adds immeasurably to our appreciation and understanding of this spiritual practice. Here is an excerpt on kindness.

"Since my return from the Camino, others have told me about strangers who offered them solace in a hospital emergency room, unknown people who stopped to help change a flat tire, unnamed persons who reached out to extend help or gave information at precisely the time of greatest need. These anonymous people rarely stayed for very long but their good deeds are tucked away in the hearts of those they assisted.

"I have often wondered if people like the red-caped man, Senor Cantante, or the elderly woman knew how much their kindness mirrored divine benevolence. I doubt they did. I doubt that any of us are normally aware of having a profound effect on another unless someone tells us about it. We may do a good deed but unless the events are startling or unusual, they generally fade into life's experience without much of a second thought.

"Yet, the slightest of actions may have a great influence on another. Each of us can be an angel in some way if we take the dictionary definition of angel as our source of description: a messenger, a spirit or a spiritual being, employed by God to communicate with humankind. And what do these angels communicate? For us on the Camino, they brought the message of God's compassion, kindness, thoughtfulness, and solace. We learned these angels are everywhere if the eyes of our souls are vigilant enough to notice.

"The Camino helped me believe in the unique way God moves in our lives through the presence of other human beings who show up at the right time. Even when these strangers are oblivious to how they are an instrument of good, they act in a manner surprisingly beneficial and helpful. We never know when someone we meet might be just the right person we need for the moment. We rarely expect unannounced angels in our midst but, oh, how wonderful they are when they show up to grace us with their gifts."