Poco a poco, querido escritor
“Little by little, dear writer”
Growing up, and for much of my adult life, I did not have a good relationship with adversity.
I had ambitions like anyone else, creative and otherwise. I often set out in pursuit of my goals with great passion and anticipation. Sadly, setbacks and inner demons — the worst of which was the abiding conviction that I was not allowed to succeed, that it would be a disaster if I did, and that I was alone in this travail — routinely defeated me. More accurately, owing to these beliefs ingrained in me from a young age, I chose to be alone and defeated.
Some rebellious part of me has always been discontent with this disastrous way of life.
I have participated in various forms of individual and group learning and therapy over the years. My favorite methods, and those most profoundly healing to my soul, are walking and traveling. In 2019, I was blessed with the opportunity to do both, spending forty days walking the Camino Francés in Spain. This experience transformed me in ways that to date have defied all my efforts to describe it (although I will continue to try). Suffice to say that walking the Camino introduced me to the prodigious riches available to help us encounter, grow, achieve, and heal.
What does it take to access these riches? In my experience:
1) A decision to claim them, in an act of sheer nerve and faith
2) A community of love and positive intent to provide encouragement and resources (locating said community, then summoning the courage to be vulnerable with them is a topic for another blog)
3) The perseverance to keep putting one foot in front of the other (or as a Basque peregrina exhorted me one day while my leg burned with tendonitis, “Poco a poco”)
Finding the connection
This editing business is one way I seek to pay forward the profoundly revitalizing gifts I received on the Camino, which helped me to believe in God, life, and myself in a way I never have before.
With Ultreya Editorial, I naturally aspire to help writers complete stages of refinement at a very high level of quality. But just as importantly, I want to be a source of encouragement when your confidence is flagging, a provider of useful tools when forward progress seems uncertain, and a fellow traveler helping you climb to greater heights of self-understanding and personal growth.
I explain this on my About page, but it’s worth repeating here: “Ultreya” is an exhortation you’ll hear on the Camino. It comes from a Latin phrase, “Ultreia et Suseia,” which loosely translates as, “Onward and upward.”
Ultreya, dear writer. You have dared to come this far, and I believe you can reach your destination. Just keep taking one step at a time.
I feel I can say this because I have also come a long way. Some days I can barely believe just how far. I’m grateful to God, many compassionate, smart, soulful people, and myself. Yes, myself! I’ve had a great deal of help along the way, but if I had not finally let myself take risks, have faith, and live, none of this would have been possible.
I like the thought that you, who is reading this right now, and I, who is writing it, may walk together for a chapter of your writing journey. Are you getting the feeling that it’s time to reach out for a helping hand? Great! I look forward to hearing from you and to the discoveries we might both make if we choose to delve into your work together.
Even if your path takes you in a different direction, we had this moment to walk side by side. I thank you for that, and I wish you a buen camino.