60 Seconds for Story Prompt Friday: What Did the Camino Teach Me About Complications and Consequences? - a podcast by Diane F. Wyzga

from 2023-12-14T05:51:27.555007

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Hello to you listening in Madeira, Portugal!

Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds (and a bit more) for Story Prompt Friday and your host, Diane Wyzga.

I taught a story workshop the other day. We began by recognizing that in its very simplest form a story is made up of 3 parts: something was (a routine) + something happened (a complication) + something is (a consequence or result).

I remembered an event on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. You must have a sturdy pair of trekking poles (or sticks) to help you navigate 500 miles of muddy, rocky, slippery, downhill slopes; equally steep, rocky, muddy, mountain passes, city streets that go on forever when you can barely take another step. Or maybe to just to lean on and catch your breath. Mine were red and I usually kept them close to hand.

Until one day out on the Maseta, the flat dry plains of Spain that stretch to the horizon, I stopped at a café and left my sticks leaning against the outside wall. It’s what we all did. But when I came out of the café my sticks were gone.

Now what do I do? I have weeks of mountains to climb. The rains were on the way. How will I manage?

I began to run in the direction I was headed. Running, in hiking boots, with a 15 pound backpack, feeling angry, self-pitying, disappointed in all pilgrims, and swearing a blue streak. Finally, I ran out of words, out of breath and stopped. I let it all go. What were sticks anyway but metal and rubber? I could likely buy another pair in some city up ahead.

Just then I saw a woman swinging my sticks. I caught up to her, she handed them over without a word, I said Buen Camino! and walked on. Many things we experience in Life are little more than annoyments. Funny thing about Life: it provides when you least expect it and you're willing to allow it.

Story Prompt: Sometimes what’s lost will circle right back to you. When has that happened? Write that story!

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Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team

Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts

Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music

Further episodes of Stories From Women Who Walk

Further podcasts by Diane F. Wyzga

Website of Diane F. Wyzga