Wallow or Allow

On October 24 I set out to leave Porto by foot.

Setting out on a new journey has always been full of questions for me. This time I feel more sure about what I am doing than ever. And also less. Sleeping in a castle on the beach might not be the best way to start out easy. It is however a good reminder that whether we like to admit it or not, we do depend on other people, because this is not something I'd be doing on my own.

Easing my body into movement was always going to be a challenge, so I take it slow. 13 km on day two and a destined uber ride makes me long to more clearly articulate and understand my special mission. That is not available to me yet, and perhaps that is an important part of my journey, following along in trust.

The night brings transformation in the form of sleepless tears and content recognition. I haven't yet embarked on something new that hasn't been marked by despair, but this time, the breakdown feels more like a breaking open, and I am able to allow the uncertainty to flow through me like a calm river - the only evidence of it's force, the movement of a small leaf gliding on the surface, like the tears gliding down my face.

I consider staying put to sleep off the efforts of the night, but settle instead on an easy 13 and am rewarded with my own room at the price of a hostel bed thanks to the kindness of a friend I hadn’t met before.

That brings us to today, October 27.

Sitting still on the Camino is a sure way to see other Peregrinos, something that has been scarce on the Portuguese coast. Plus my inner philosopher is demanding an outlet, so I take a break from walking.

I have been pondering the Law of Jante and what growing up under it's influence has meant for me and the people around me. If I had taken an interest in danish lessons at school I might have known that Jante wasn't some mean guy that came up with a bunch of rules to follow, but a fictional town where the principals applied.

I've understood the concept to mean 'don't think you are anything', however on closer examination many of the rules refer to 'you' and 'us'. So instead of saying don't think you are something, perhaps it is saying remember that 'us' the collective is stronger than 'you' the individual. And in a world where individualism and striving to be better than, has become detrimental to our wellbeing, perhaps with a bit of a creative interpretation, the Law of Jante has an important message for me.

The Original Ten Rules of Jante

1. Don’t think you are anything special.

2. Don’t think you are as good as we are.

3. Don’t think you are smarter than we are.

4. Don’t convince yourself that you are better than we are.

5. Don’t think you know more than we do.

6. Don’t think you are more important than we are.

7. Don’t think you are good at anything.

8. Don’t laugh at us.

9. Don’t think anyone cares about you.

10. Don’t think you can teach us anything.

My Interpretation

1. Stay humble

2. You are an important part of the collective, together we are stronger.

3. Grow your own skills and knowledge and recognise those of others.

4. Know your worth and know we are all equal.

5. Listen more than you speak, you just might learn something new.

6. We are all important

7. Strive to be better than you were yesterday. And don't forget to love where you are today.

8. Always be kind and show compassion for those less fortunate than you.

9. Your wellbeing is your responsibility.

10. Your truth is yours alone. Live your truth, but don't force it upon others.

I always thought the Jante law was telling me that I am useless, but perhaps instead it is the root of my most loved values. With that realisation and the joy of how a tiny shift in perspective can make all the difference in life, I continue on my way.