Before going on the Camino I though that I would meet new and interesting people, and I did. I also discovered that the same type of people that annoy me at home annoyed me on the Camino.
For some reason I had thought that the type of people that annoyed me were particular to my country and society. I found on the Camino that they were universal. I was disappointed and naive. No matter where I went the people were generally the same and fell into the usual categories.
This meant I had to change my outlook. If the same people were always going to annoy me what could I do about it? I don’t like to feel annoyed so something had to be done.
My solution was to act and treat the people that annoyed me differently. Instead of trying to ignore them or get away from them as fast as possible I spent more time with them. An extra 10 seconds, an extra minute – this was something that I had to do slowly. I could not expect too much of myself in the beginning.
As I got to know them I cared, they still annoy me, but now I care at the same time and the balance seems to work for me.
Love means to love that which is unlovable, or it is no virtue at all. – G.K. Chesterton
It is interesting how one expects a certain ileadlism or altruism to dominate the personality-type of thse who participate in such activities. Peace Corps Volunteers are often disturbed by the attitudes of the oher volunteers…other people often seem to somehow “not measure up”…in reality we are all wrestling our own demons. That annoying person can teach us a ot about our own character. FYI: I have hear that Mother Theresa and other notorious do-gooders have rather difficult” personalities…maybe because their sense of mission obscures some of the nicities…. I often say – “Bing pleasant and cheerful all the time is hard work! It’s easy to be a jerk!”
Life is good…
“Ginn”
In Snowy Santa Fe, Dreaming of the Camino
“in reality we are all wrestling our own demons. That annoying person can teach us a ot about our own character.”
So true – in isolation I learn little about myself.
Virginia wrote: “Love means to love that which is unlovable, or it is no virtue at all.” – G.K. Chesterton
This ties in with my conclusion about forgiveness: It is when we “forgive the unforgivable.” Now, just exactly how to do this? Walk the Camino… in all walks of life…