A few weeks ago I went for a walk with friends on the Purbeck Peninsula. The day we picked for our leisurely walk happened to coincide with a race along the coast path. Anyone who has walked any portion of the Southwest Coast Path will know only too well how steep and daunting it can be and so this race looked really challenging.
At various points along the route there were strategically placed groups of stewards whose job was to show the runners which direction to take and to make sure that nobody took a wrong turn. As each runner approached these check-points (many clearly flagging and looking exhausted by the rigour of the race) they were cheered on by the on-lookers. "Well done!" "Keep going!" "You're doing really well!" Just these simple words of encouragement had an instant effect on the participants. They seemed to gather energy and strength from the support and no matter how knackered they were, for a moment they all managed a smile and no longer looked quite so exhausted.
This served as a reminder for me of how incredibly important support and encouragement are in our daily lives. If only we had strategically placed groups of people to spur us on, whether we're battling with delivering a key presentation at work or struggling to learn a new piano sonata.
It's the reason why I run support groups and why I feel so passionately about them.
Are there people in your life who support and encourage you? Do you do this for others?
This post really got me thinking about walking the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela a few years ago... not quite as fast-paced at the coastal race, but - at 780km carrying your own gear - you also need all the encouragement en route you can get :@) !
As many native Spaniards have walked the 'camino' themselves and believe that St James will reward all help given to pilgrims, there's a lovely tradition of support: just about every step of the way, a stranger will wish you 'happy travels' or 'courage' or leave helpful offerings along the road.
One of the most touching examples of this appeared on Christmas morning after a heavy snowstorm (think wet feet and heavy packs and homesick hearts) in the form of an anonymous basketful of chocolates, peanuts and beer outside Leon with a note reminding all pilgrims to enjoy themselves too!
Posted by: Fran Kern | October 20, 2010 at 10:10 AM
What a great story - and a great reminder that there are many different ways that we can offer support to others.
Posted by: Annabel Sutton | October 20, 2010 at 10:32 AM