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Each morning there was a word chosen for the six days. The words were
awareness, stillness, reverence, listen, transformation and gratitude. In the evening a candle was lit and we gathered in a circle to talk about how we experienced the word for the day. It was always enlightening, endearing and heartfelt.
By the end of the week we had encountered each other in many ways. We ate together, prayed together, meditated together, did art together, toured together and left Italy with hearts transformed. We saw others with different eyes, because they were mirrors to ourselves. We closed the circle of travel by giving to each one the gift of words. On watercolor paper we each wrote a characteristic trait that we recognized in another and knowing that these were our own gifts as well. Some of mine that were given were
reflective, inviting, sensitive, love, light, serene, rock and teacher. What I gave to others were grounded, centered, eager, yearning, contemplative, vivacious, generous spirit, heart of love, gracious, thoughtful, quiet and knowledgeable."The stranger at the heart of my journey is me--transformed. I have come all this way to find this new person. At the center of my wanderings, the world is strange, wonderful and new. Al that I see and touch now is new. With a rush of recognition, I lovingly accept and embrace my new self." The Way of the Traveler by Joseph Dispenza