Recognize Your Limits

We must learn to understand how far we can go. We have our limits. To stop on time we have to learn the virtue of prudence. Our will is put to test often. Our weak will needs the support of solidarity and the help and encouragement of others. At other times, our will is bolstered by faith and we find strength in prayer.

On the Camino de Santiago, the daily effort makes us understand our own limits. We do not do the Camino that we want to; we do the one we can. We are not machines, but people with limited power. In life we also have to learn how far we can go. We are not perfect; we have our limitations. We have to learn the virtue of prudence because we cannot forget that tomorrow we have to continue to walk and we have to keep some energy for backup. In other words, even though you may be able to keep walking right now, it may be better to stop so you can start out on tomorrow’s walk with more energy. Prudence requires that we raise our eyes from what we have directly in front of us and take other things into account like the consequences of our decisions. We also know, because of our experience on the Camino, that pain helps us to discover our true capabilities. Unfortunately, we avoid negative experiences in life and we struggle to live without effort. In a culture where we are given everything ready-made, we do not know what we are really capable of and our will is weakened so much that we fall down at the slightest setback. On the Camino de Santiago our will is put to test often, as in life. Often our weak will needs the support of solidarity and the help and encouragement of others. At other times, our will is bolstered by faith and we find strength in prayer.