One of the most important life lessons I've learned is the one Christopher McCandless wrote just before his death, "Happiness only real when shared" (Krakauer, J. 1996).

With whom can you really share your happiness?

To my beliefs, the whole world is one family. Though some people are extra special to me, in sharing a deep connection along the journey; my fellow pilgrims.

Thus, I meet my “brother from another mother”. During the most painful periods of the journey, he is my physical and mental support. Often, he supports my arm, at times when I stumble more slowly than one old lady ahead; walking up a hill with a cane in one hand and a heavy shopping bag in the other. He is there in the hostels, whilst I’m trying not to scream out in pain as I am tending my blisters, wounds and infection. He keeps repeating to me “Pain is in the mind.”, allowing me to shift my focus again and again. Step by step, my strides are getting stronger as I slowly recover physically. And he's there, as we can walk farther and faster together. I'm there for him too, when mental worries weaken his physical energy. I am there, as we point in amazement to water trickling down a mountain. I'm there in ecstasy, as I start running down the mountain, and he follows me. I'm there, with silly humor and in wild adventures, to see his eyes shine bright in happiness. And we're there, sharing life together. As we arrive at the square in front of the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, we burst into tears and are deeply moved. We made it. We are there, full of happiness and with the sense of tremendous victory. We are there, to share life in setbacks and victories. Brother, this is an ode to you!

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Krakauer, J. (1996). Into The Wild. Anchor Books. New York.