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600km Walking Pilgrimage through Spain

Written by Denise Chng Lisan & published on September 2 2008

From the moment I discovered an ancient pilgrimage path in Spain in June last year, the attraction of walking hundreds of kilometres towards an assured destination grew on me daily. My eagerness to go on a month-long journey on foot across the steep slopes, lush valleys and forests of the Pyrenees, and through countless small towns and villages, was part of a subconscious quest to find depth and meaning in my life. At the age of 33, I was approaching – prematurely, perhaps – what seemed to be a mid-life crisis.

Straits Times Life! Article,Denise Chng Lisan,Camino de Santiago,Camino Frances

Letter from Quebec: Preserving Heritage

Written by Denise Chng Lisan & published on November 8 2008

'TRAVEL is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living,' wrote Miriam Beard. Life in Quebec is now my teacher, pointing out my knowledge gaps and honing my ideas of living - be it language, culture, life-skills, or the environment.

Denise Chng Lisan

Facing fears and taking risks

Posted by Denise CHNG Lisan On Friday, September 05, 2008
I remember when I first discovered the Camino, I was both thrilled and, at the same time, anxious. I asked myself if I could really do this. Without any trekking experience before, the challenge seemed daunting. Perhaps there are others out there who are thinking and facing these thoughts as well, as they contemplate the challenge. I'd just like to share two quotes which I hold dearly in my heart.

On facing fear:
"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face." - Eleanor Roosevelt

On taking risks:

"To laugh is to risk appearing a fool
To weep is to risk being called sentimental
To reach out to another is to risk involvement
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self
To place your ideas and dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss
To love is to risk not being loved in return
To live is to risk dying
To try is to risk failure.

But risks must be taken
Because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
The people who risk nothing may avoid suffering and sorrow,
But they cannot learn, feel, change, grow or really live.
Chained by their servitude they are slaves who have forfeited all freedom.
Only a person who risks is truly free."


- William Ward

1 Response to 'Facing fears and taking risks'

  1. Anonymous Said,
    http://denise-camino.blogspot.com/2008/09/facing-fears-and-taking-risks.html?showComment=1220936460000#c1214698797815542766'> 8 September 2008 at 22:01

    totally agree on the risk taking part...i always believe that "when one is old and dying, its alright to not have any memories, but do not leave this world with any regrets"..as long as it doesn't hurt or affect anyone..or yourself....why not give it a shot...you never know till you try...and whatever risk or choice you make...it's gonna be the best

    cheers,
    alkie traveller

     

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