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.

I have realized that sacred spaces or places of belonging aren't only places on a map or places you can give directions to; they are also in us. To me, that location is the sacred space.

When you walk with no shoes, you are immediately invited to presence. Each step is different. Each step is vital. Each step is dynamic.

Not all mileage on life’s many road trips is equal, nor are all distances even perceptible. While some of our journeys beg for acknowledgement, others we prefer to travel under (emotional) cover.