Take Time to Saunter

Saunter:  "to walk in a casual manner; stroll."  Synonyms include amble, ramble, stroll, wander, mosey (one of my favorites), and meander. (1) 

When is the last time you felt free to saunter?  To proceed at your own pace, to stop and observe, to step into a place of spiritual connection?  Most of us spend most of our time adhering to schedules, running late, trying to keep up.  What if you could take an hour, a half-hour, or even 15 minutes, and just saunter?

Having just returned from a trip to California which included both Muir Woods and Yosemite National Park, I've been reading up on John Muir, who had a hand in preserving both places.  Here is what Muir had to say about sauntering:

"Hiking - I don't like either the word or the thing. People ought to saunter in the mountains - not hike! Do you know the origin of that word 'saunter?' It's a beautiful word. Away back in the Middle Ages people used to go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and when people in the villages through which they passed asked where they were going, they would reply, "A la sainte terre,' 'To the Holy Land.' And so they became known as sainte-terre-ers or saunterers. Now these mountains are our Holy Land, and we ought to saunter through them reverently, not 'hike' through them." (2)

There is some disagreement about whether Muir's etymology of the word is correct, although it does appear in references dating back to at least 1691.  The more accepted theory is that the word derives from the Middle English santren, meaning to muse, meditate, or be in reverie.  

Either way, the word connotes a slowing down, a mindful attention to one's surroundings.  A retreat from the hurry and drama of daily life.  An appreciation of the vastness of the Universe and the long line of time.

I invite you to take some time this week to saunter.  Whether you saunter through the woods, or through an art museum, or through the streets of a bustling city, pay attention.  Saunter reverently. Allow yourself to meander.  Be in reverie. 

Notes:
(1) freeonlinedictionary.com
(2) quoted by Albert Palmer in A Parable of Sauntering:
http://207.114.134.6/john_muir_exhibit/frameindex.html?http://207.114.134.6/john_muir_exhibit/////life/palmer_sauntering.html


Sidebar:
An interesting but irrelevant fact (unless you are from Northern Ireland, in which case it may be highly relevant):  according to urbandictionary.com, the word "saunter" is sometimes used as an expletive in Northern Ireland, with the meaning of "get lost" or "take a hike."  It's fascinating how words can take on such different meanings...  But if someone yelling at you to "saunter" - i.e., get lost - is what it takes to get you to take some time in solitude, consider it done.  Saunter!

Guided One-Hour Virtual Retreats

This post now has its own page:  http://onehourretreat.blogspot.com/p/guided-one-hour-retreats.html

Try a "Wonder"-ful One Hour Retreat

Here is an idea especially suited to a spring retreat.

My favorite way to "do" this retreat is outdoors - in a park, in the woods, or in a local neighborhood. But you can also take this retreat in a coffee shop, in an airport, or while waiting for your kid to finish soccer practice. If you have an hour, or even a half hour, grab it and take this no-equipment-needed retreat.

Start your retreat by setting an intention to focus on really observing your setting -- whether your setting is the airport concourse or a beautifully landscaped garden. Spend several minutes in one location, observing the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and tactile sensations of that location, as well as the overall composition and effect. Alternatively, spend five minutes strolling around focusing on taking in everything you can observe with your eyes - color, texture, size, shape, orientation, composition, etc., and then spend the next five minutes focusing on what you can hear, and so forth through the senses.

Not many people can spend an entire hour in observant wonder. The mind is easily distracted by judgment, thoughts of the past or future, and to-do lists. Consider using part of your time to journal or sketch your observations. Writing or drawing will not only help you observe more closely and keep your attention on your subject, it will also help you capture and process any emotions that arise.

By slowing down and really observing your surroundings, without judgment, you will likely experience one or more of the following benefits:

*A release of tension from your body
*A clearer, more focused mind
*A feeling of connection to the universe
*A renewed sense of lightness of being
*A burst of wonder and joy

We are all born intensely observant, curious and attentive to detail. Each new experience has a wonder-ful quality. But as we "grow up," we often lose that sense of wonder as we hurry through the tasks of life.

Just one moment of wonder-ment can add color to your days, and help you stay in the moment, truly aware of living your life. Try it and observe the results!

First Monday Virtual Retreats Start April 5th (Free)

UPDATE: These retreats have been discontinued. For more details on current retreats, see the sidebar.

Break free and "spring" forward with a virtual retreat!

I am hosting a FREE virtual retreat next Monday, April 5th, at 8:00 p.m. EDT. The meditative portion of the call will be recorded, so sign up even if you can't make this time slot. This is the first in a series of First Monday Virtual Retreats, which will be offered on (surprise!) the first Monday of each month. The theme of this month's retreat is "Break Free - Spring Forward."

A time of retreat - even a brief time - can both relax and energize you. It can give you a time to hear yourself think, to focus on what really matters, and inspire you to get moving in a new direction. It can give you time to hear the voice of your soul and tap into your strengths.

Harness the energy of spring to propel yourself forward. If you've been feeling a bit "slow" or "stuck" in some area of your life, now is the time to come out of your winter dormancy.

The retreat will start with a 15-20 minute guided meditation (a combination of relaxation and visualization). The meditation will be followed by an exercise to help you capture your insights and make an action plan for moving forward. The remainder of the hour is yours to use as you wish. You may leave the call and continue the retreat on your own, or you may join in group discussion/group coaching with others on the call. I invite you to use the entire hour for retreat. Give yourself that gift, if at all possible.

While the meditative portion of the call will be recorded,
I encourage you to join live if you can. I will be giving away a Guided One Hour Retreat ($60 value) to one lucky person on the call.

[CONTACT FORM DE-ACTIVATED]

Try it for a month or two, and discover the benefits of a one hour retreat!

Earth Hour: March 27, 2010, 8:30PM Your Local Time

Earth Hour would be a PERFECT time for a one-hour retreat. Spend the time alone or gather with friends. Disrupt your life (in a good way) by turning out the lights and focusing on what's really important.

It's easy to participate - just turn out unnecessary lights in your household from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. local time on March 27, 2010. Or take radical action - turn off all unnecessary power-consuming objects for that hour, including your computer, TV, and radio. If you want to know more, or if you'd like to register your participation, you can get details here: http://www.earthhour.org


Not everyone agrees that global warming is a problem, and not everyone agrees with WWF's agenda. But I think we can all agree that saving energy (and money) is a good thing, and finding ways to take care of ourselves and the planet we live on is a great thing.

Make a date with yourself - put this on your calendar now!

GUIDED One Hour Virtual Retreat Now Available - FREE During Coach Week

Have you taken a One Hour Retreat, and wished you had a retreat leader to help you get and stay focused, help you gain clarity or brainstorm solutions with?

Or do you love the idea of a One Hour Retreat, but never seem to get around to scheduling it?

To celebrate International Coaching Week, I am offering **free** individualized virtual retreats to the first five people who schedule them at ...

Note:  this event has ended, but Guided One Hour Virtual Retreats are still available.  For more information, see: http://onehourretreat.blogspot.com/p/guided-one-hour-retreats.html

Managers: Add a Week to Your Year (Without Skipping Vacation)

Yes, you can add an entire workweek - 50 hours - to your year, without skipping your well-deserved vacation! Check out my guest post at KeyPoint Coaching's blog to find out how: http://keypointe.wordpress.com/managers-feel-like-you-have-an-extra-week-of-vacation-every-year/