I hear a lot of discussion about the quest for balance. I don’t think there is a place called balance. Life is in constant flux, so balance can only be temporary; therefore, seeking it as a desired end state is impossible. I think what I seek is not balance, but harmony.

Lately, I’ve had almost an insatiable appetite to travel, to move, go somewhere and get outside of my daily routine and my comfort zone, in an effort to find my way again after a recent layoff and the uncertainty of where I will land next. Taking to the road, either by car or by foot, provides me with the insight and clarity I require to move forward with a renewed sense of direction and purpose…

Walking the earth is a way to ground, to find center, to find the heartbeat of a place, a road, a path, a walkway, a sidewalk, a field… This practice is my expression of love.

Italians may be among the world’s experts when it comes to savoring the sweetness in their daily lives. Pas·seg·gia·ta (pasəˈjädə) is defined simply as a leisurely walk or stroll, especially one taken in the evening, following a meal. This evening promenade is also a means to come together as a community, to share in an appreciation for movement, for the day, for gathering.

Here is the reason I ask this question. I feel as if I have learned some very significant lessons while walking, all of which have fundamentally changed the way I see, feel, and understand the world.