What I Learned On The Walk For Peace!

My original intention was to write a blog a day while on the walk, and send it along with photos to post. That never happened – obviously. I did write a blog after the first day of the walk, chose pictures and attempted to send it to my VA to post.

However, the Universe had other ideas.

The result is this: an overview, which this blog will be, and 7 key points or tools or benefits that were made clear on the walk. Of course, I’ll add in personal and group stories to bring the experience more alive and closer to you.

I’ll tell you about “kiss the earth” hills, broken bones, my angel in the red car, inside jokes, communications without language, the St. Francis release, a few other stories and share photos.

If I had to title the whole experience with one word it would be a word that I learned on the trip which is Hokahey. Hokahey is an American Indian word which literally means, “This is a good day to die.” Think about that for a moment.

If you were to die right now and leave this dimension, what in your life would not be completed? Would you have any regrets? Granted, there are always more things to experience, there always will be. I’m talking about up till now. Is there someone you need to forgive? Is it yourself?

We’re all going to leave this dimension. Everyone who has taken a first breath will one day take a last breath on this earth. I don’t believe we end. We simply change form. But I digress – back to the walk.

On the plane ride home from Rome I thought about what the trip meant to me. What did I learn? What meaning does St. Francis hold for me? He must mean something since I have walked in his footsteps twice, visited his birthplace, laid in the hollow of the rock he slept on, sat where he meditated and visited his final resting place as well as his dying place.

Physically, Francesco Bernardo was a short man whose ears stuck out. He was wealthy, happy, friendly, lovable, loved to love and wanted to make a mark for himself. He wanted to become a Knight which was a bloody pursuit to say the least.

With a gift of fine armor from his father he went off to war and was captured. To make a long story short, he changed his mind, became disgraced because of it, was rejected and chose to live as a beggar. Francis denied his wealth and took up a life of poverty but one which included generosity, gentleness, forgiveness, freedom, happiness and most importantly, love.

I learned from him to always follow my heart no matter who it displeases or what expectations are not met – mine or others. I learned to look beyond what is seen with my eyes and see with my soul. I discovered that very often my need is simply a preference which can be changed at will, if I will to change it instead of pouting, becoming cranky or withdrawing.

Our 10 days of walking always started with an hour of walking together in silence. I took that time to pray for you and all those who sent me prayers and all those on my list who didn’t send prayers. The list grew each day as I thought of other friends, co-workers, relatives, and people met by chance. I prayed for everyone I could think of and those I couldn’t remember. I prayed for myself as well.

These are the one per blog points that I will write about, the things that stood out bold, the messages I received, the important thoughts that came to me:

1, Surrender = giving up control, setting intentions, releasing expectations.
2, Trust = all is as it is meant to be, intuition.
3, Patience = waiting, perseverance, communication.
4, Acceptance = eating what is offered, receiving with gratitude.
5, Non-attachment = sharing, giving away, making plans, agendas.
6, Living the moment = valuing what you have when you have it.
7, Rest = self care, asking for what you need, in tune with your body.

Has my life changed? I would say my life continues to evolve, constantly unfolding, becoming more, being freer, daring to live as I am. I am exactly the same yet totally different.

Pace e Bene.