430/499 … conscious conclusions are the Beginning (10/28/08)
One of the most important rituals for many pilgrims over the years has been to enter the Santiago Cathedral and touch foreheads with this carving of Saint James. For some reason that was never lucidly explained, the statue was off limits even to everyone — even pilgrims, some of whom had walked over 1000 miles to touch it. Personally, I wasn’t attached to doing so — I simply “touched” it by sending it a focused “ray” of Gratitude. And yet one fellow pilgrim was noticeably distraught at not being allowed to complete his pilgrimage in this manner. So, I did what any selfless servant would do — I distracted the guard with some poor Spanish while pointing in the other direction, while my pilgrim friend went under the barricade and “completed” his pilgrimage … 😉
“Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.” ~ Henri Amiel
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