What are you carrying

I remember reading in James Michener’s “Alaska” that travelers to Alaska often dumped things out of their packs and left them on the side of the path in order to make it over the pass. As we get ready to commence the walking part of our journey, I am reminded of the instructions I received of carefully considering what you pack, as you will have to carry it with you a long distance. So, when I thought of what I wanted to bring, I divided what I thought I’d need in half. One of the things I left behind was my razor - so some of us will look progressively more rough each day. That roughness on the outside is just a sign of the shaping of our hearts as we begin this spiritual journey.

One thing they recommended was to bring a stone with the names of either a burden or something you are carrying. What is dearest to me is written on both sides of my stone. These stones are then left on the journey, either in a way of dedicating them or laying them down. There are plenty of places to do this - either in large piles or on top of fence posts.

How about you? How big is the burden you carry? What do you need to lay down?