Thoughts on Thursday: Dropping Your Burdens at the Cruz de Ferro

<p>Hello to you listening in <a href="https://vivecamino.com/en/stages/foncebadon-ponferrada/">Foncebadón, Spain!</a></p><p>Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is 60 Seconds for Thoughts on Thursday.</p><p>For several hundred miles on the Camino I carried a bag of rocks in my backpack. It wasn’t an extra penance but a gift to a dozen or so friends and family members who entrusted me with a rock and a message to leave at the Cruz de Ferro.</p><p>Today the <a href="https://caminoways.com/cruz-de-ferro">Cruz de Ferro</a> is a replica of the monument first erected by the ancient Celts, then dedicated by the Romans to their god, Mercury before being renamed as a Christian site in the 9th or 11th century. The tall wooden pole topped by an iron cross stands deep in the earth surrounded by a massive towering pile of rocks, stones, symbolic items and messages to represent burdens left behind.</p><p>The tradition is for a pilgrim to stand with her back to the cross and toss away the rock bidding farewell to the sins and burdens it represents. Standing in the rain I threw away rocks one-by-one imagining the relief my loved ones felt. And then my rock, fear of poverty.</p><p><strong>Question</strong>: What ritual will you establish to lighten your own burdens, throw away your own sins?</p><p><i>60 Seconds is your daily dose of hope, imagination, wisdom, stories, practical tips, and general riffing on this and that. This is the place to thrive together. Come for the stories - stay for the magic. <strong>Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, follow, share a nice shout out on your social media or podcast channel of choice, including Android, and join us next time!</strong> You’re invited to stop by the website and subscribe to stay current with Diane, her journeys, her guests, as well as creativity, imagination, walking, stories, camaraderie, and so much more</i>: <a href="https://www.quartermoonstoryarts.net">Quarter Moon Story Arts</a></p><p><strong>Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team</strong></p>