Peace Pilgrim down. Repeat, Peace Pilgrim down.

I'm going to ruin a good story for you, but indulge me. I'd had a lovely holiday, and tried to have a break from electronics (except ironically, my love for the Dakar meant I'd spent more time on twitter and facebook than ever before, getting updates from competitors and then joining in idle chatter along the way). I'd taken a note book to do some writing and it was still as pristine as when I'd packed it. I'd got it out and left it on the coffee table, as a nudge, but no avail.

I seemed to have lost all interest and inspiration.  I was beginning to wonder what I was doing and why was I even wasting my time. And then I heard this story.

We listened to podcasts on the way home, and one included This American Life. In this episode, there was the truly fascinating story of the Peace Pilgrim, not the original one, a latter day follower. The original Peace Pilgrim was a woman who walked in the name of peace for 28 years with nothing but the clothes on her back, relying on the kindness of strangers. Daryl Watson, a successful script writer with a crises of faith, decided to do the same. Download the fabulous & engrossing podcast (and please do, as Watson's telling really makes the story) or read on and I'll ruin a great story with my quick retelling for my own purposes. Three days after setting out, and sending a lovely email to all he knew explaining his actions, came the short missive "Peace Pilgrim down. Repeat, Peace Pilgrim down." The story is fascinating, highlighting among other things, the difference between an old white lady in the kinder society of the 50's and 60's and a young black man in the 21st century culture. The offers for help far between, the eye opening attitude of the priest and the deteriorating weather all lead to the final decision to give up the pilgrimage, having already given away all he owned and the contents of his bank account. He sees a billboard that says "it's OK to make mistakes as long as they're new ones."

Watson exudes a warmth that makes you root for him, and not want him to fail. He makes you understand where he was coming from, and why you would try such an exercise. You don't judge him at any point, it's just a great story.

How does this relate to me? I'm not doing anything nearly as lofty, but I am sitting in judgement on my shoulder, looking at stats and rejection letters (well, not many, as I've not sent anything off since October). Hearing those words, it's okay to make mistakes, as long as they're new ones, really comforted me. I want to be the kind of person who doesn't question why I do something, I just want to throw myself wholeheartedly into something because I want to, or feel I need to, for whatever reason that may be.  I need to remember I am trying something new for me, and so what if I fail? I can stop at any point, but it needs to be when I've exhausted the interest - my interest. And that's when you'll see the final post "Peace Pilgrim down. Repeat, Peace Pilgrim down."

Please note, more on this can be found on the podcast link above or on Daryl Watson's blog http://apeacepilgrimsprogress.blogspot.com.au/