A contemplative pause in the daily grind makes everything worthwhile again.
One of my favorite contemplative practices that I learned back in graduate school at Naropa in 1997 is called Aimless Wandering. It honestly felt like the first time in my life I was encouraged to “go no where” while being fully engaged and aware of myself and my surroundings. I could release attachment to arriving somewhere. Unbeknownst to me, this antidoted the “arrival fallacy” which meant I was free to go where, with no rush, no finish line, no agenda.
Aimless Wandering felt tricky at first because I was previously hellbent on getting somewhere else–fast. The hustle and bustle of my mind slowly slowed as I centered my movements on my core value which is serenity.
Saying hello to my mother-in-law each time I see a butterfly brings me back to serenity. Before she died, we watched a newly emerged butterfly take her first flight. I named her Ahonui. In the language of Hawai’i this means:
The great breath. Long suffer. Endurance. Butterflies bumble along, seemingly without direction. They embody aimless wandering to my delighted and grateful heart.
Here’s what I say yes to with wild abandon:
A quiet walk staring at clouds. 
A pause to water the garden.
An opportunity to aimlessly wander–why not?
So it’s been a big minute since I posted here. Thanks for reading.
With warm Aloha,
Amy Elizabeth