Have you ever had to start your life over? Did you know how to figure it out? With your help I can take this step in rebuilding my life. Donate ten minutes and ten dollars to help Chandi manifest her 30-day pilgrim’s walk in Italy!
The plan is to spend the month of June walking the ancient Via Francigena, a pilgrim’s route from the middle ages, that ends in Rome. 
Why the heck?
• Right now, post-divorce, is when I am supposed to find my authentic life. Yet, I, like many people, am afraid of really diving into my passion and living my most authentic life, because it entails risk.
• I am exhausted from the energy it took to stay alive in the hospital, and from the energy it took to go through the divorce while severely weakened physically. I am exhausted from the job search and the anxiety of how to pay bills. How do I rejuvenate myself?
• My therapist says: “It takes a lot of energy to not be you.” Perhaps that is why I am exhausted. I have not been true to my authentic self. I have always had trouble following my heart. The way to rejuvenate my heart and complete my physical healing is to successfully complete this walk.
• There is nothing logical about it. But has logic ever been involved when someone has truly followed his/her passions? The walk is not reasonable given my current economic circumstances. Due to how little I have been able to work since July, I have made about $3,000 in the past year. I am scraping along, trading, borrowing, babysitting, and taking in a renter, trying to keep my mortgage paid. (After losing my husband and almost losing my life, I don’t want to lose my house.)
• It is my goal in doing this walk, to learn how to follow my heart; create a more authentic life; and be better equipped to create a more stable and prosperous financial situation.
• At this time in my life, I have the opportunity to rise from the ashes and create the life I want. But not only is there fear about the risks involved with following my passion, but there is fear in going back to Italy. As soon as I think of it, I have flash backs to the trauma of my illness. The best thing, in this case, is to get back on the horse and ride again.
Why walk and will this be a book?
• I wish to walk because I have lost an inordinate amount of physical strength, and what I can still do is walk. In spite of not being physically strong, I only have to recall the strength I had to come up with to get through my ordeal in the Italian hospital, to know that I can do this walk. Walking daily will help me regain my strength. It is also very meditative and I plan to sift through all I have learned this year about personal growth and about how to achieve an authentic life.
• Yes, a book may happen. I have received interest from two publishers, neither of which is in a position to give me an advance. But, both encouraged me to do the walk and contact them again when I have some of the book written. If the book is published, and if you’ve donated to my Ten for Ten Campaign, you will be acknowledged in the book.
How you can help
• Take 10 minutes to read Chandi’s blog to understand what happened to her this year. (If you don’t already know.) To get an overview, go to August in the right column and read posts from Aug 9 & Aug 11, and then a sampling of posts from September to March.
• Click on the PayPal link and donate $10.00. If 100 people donate $10.00 each, Chandi will have enough for her airfare.
A million thanks, mille grazie, for your support!


May 12, 2009 at 3:02 pm
I think your therapist’s comment about taking a lot of energy not to be yourself is a good one. I wish you luck in your adventure.
May 13, 2009 at 8:24 am
Dear Chandi:
I fully support you in any endeavour that you undertake. You are an awesome woman and I am blessed to know you. I have made my donation for your walk. Sincerely,
Gopal
May 13, 2009 at 12:19 pm
What a wonderful idea! I know that this will truly be a “rise from the ashes” trip for you. I greatly admire your courage and commitment to your dream! A piedi forte!
May 13, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Dear Laurel, Gopal and Kathy,
Your words truly touch my heart. I can’t express how much the support and encouragement means, that I am getting from people like you.
May 13, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Hi Chandi,
I don’t know if you remember me. I used to come down to the Italian meet-up activities that you organized a few years ago. I am sorry to hear about your illness and your divorce.
I have not had good luck with pay-pal, but if you want to send me your address privately, I will send you $10 toward your walk across Italy.
In any case, I wish you the best and will be checking on your progress.
Ciao,
Pat
May 13, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Chandi,
YOU GO, WOMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now, send me ten bucks, and I will use it to write for an hour.
I love you, Woman. You inspire me every time I read anyting about you.
GO, WOMAN, GO!
Love,
Kiesa
May 13, 2009 at 5:20 pm
P.S. Let me know if you want to stay in Oleander Cottage. I have an unanticipated opening from June 23 to July 13. You totally can be there.
Love again,
Kiesa
May 14, 2009 at 4:28 am
This is an amazing goal, Chandi. It would be an amazing adventure meeting people along the way, having plenty of time to think about things, a “slow” approach to seeing more of Italy, the country you love. I wish you the best and will look forward to reading about it on your blog next month!
May 15, 2009 at 1:18 am
Just to tell you when I read your blog you make me feel lucky to be born and live in Italy.
Wish you all the best. Tuscany and Marche are maybe the most safe areas in italy so … good luck and bring with you a laptop connected to the web and keep us updated please.
May 23, 2009 at 3:53 am
Chandi, for you, Italy is life. May you envelope its spirit of ease and creativity, and recreate your life. May gelato heal you. Buona fortuna, Buon viaggio! Stay in touch. I’ll be holding your vision of health and vigor.
With love and hugs, Lynne
May 25, 2009 at 9:40 am
Chandi,
Your walk sounds like the key to your healing. Before you go, I recommend Gary Nabham’s wonderful short book, “Songbirds, Truffles and Wolves.” Nabham is a naturalist that healed into his own divorce experience by walking the way of St. Francis of Assisi, the route you will be taking.
Good luck,
Bibi
May 26, 2009 at 5:25 am
Chandi, I just stumbled into your blog through a “back door” – saw your post on the linked in Slow Food discussion page. And let me say, I am so glad I did! You inspire me woman. Your adventure reminds me of the woman I used to be, the woman hiding inside of me and the potential in us all.
A couple of comments: That quote “Begin it Now” has always been one of my favorites, and I always thought it was Goethe. Thank you for clarifying that!
Have you read Paulo Coelho’s THE PILGRIMAGE? I highly recommend it as an inspiration or companion for your walk.
We have much in common and I will spend more time exploring your blog and updating mine soon.
Oh, and yes, I second what people are saying about Le Marche. It is my adopted homeland (my husband is from there.) It is wonderful. And Ashley over at La Tavola Marche would be a good resource and stop.
Mille grazie for your inspiration and in bocca al lupo!
Jeni
August 26, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Gorgeous picture of you. Hurray for you for doing this, for going for your dreams, following your heart, and falling in love with yourself. There is a book in here, no doubt. Looks like a wonderful trip, too. So glad that you did it and took the risk.
xx,
Deborah