I Ponder the Meander

What is it to meander?

A meander is free, without goals, calm. Some may think of meandering as being a waste of time, a senseless idleness. I believe there’s nothing wrong with being idle. In fact, idle meandering is a pure form of being. It is without judgment, an openness to what comes, what is before us.

To meader is to rest, to gift oneself freedom from contrived plans and endless to-do lists. To meander is to care for oneself.

When I imagine meandering, I picture standing next to a stream. I hear the trickle of the water as it flows over moss-covered stones. I see the shine and reflection of the leaves above the water being shone back up at me. I breathe in the cool, bright scent of the wood and breathe out with a renewed sense of lightness. As the breeze washes over my skin, I feel my muscles loosen their grip, and I sink deeper into my body. I am here, now, enveloped in nature, purity, tranquility, light, and ease.

Meandering may be the most beautiful thing in the world. I now continue my mental meander and imagine carefully stepping further along this stream. I notice the fallen leaves that are working their way into the ground to ultimately nourish the ecology around them. I step out on a limb and proclaim that meandering is my favorite activity.

I realize that perhaps my writing is a little meandering, but you know what? I’m okay with that. Because the free flow of words mimics the calming free flow of the stream and creates a calming free flow in me. I love the meander.

I wonder if you can take some time to meander today?