Sauntering Without a Care in the World
Going for a saunter
by Claire Law
Suitable for Key Stage 4/5
Aims
To define the term sauntering and identify the benefits of going for a saunter.
Preparation and materials
- You will need the PowerPoint slides accompanying this assembly (Sauntering Without a Care in the World) and the means to display them.
- You will need the YouTube clip ‘This Guy Walks Faster Than You Can Run’ and the means to display it. This can be found at: This can be found at: https://youtu.be/k1ZbPI47aD0
- You will need 2 students or members of staff who have agreed to demonstrate ‘sauntering’ during the assembly. They should be primed to walk, or amble, without any sense of purpose, slowly, and with no particular direction.
Assembly
- Show Slide 1.
Welcome the students to the assembly. - Was anyone here in a rush this morning?
Did you need to walk extra quickly to get the bus, or get a real wiggle on to get here on time?
Sometimes in life, we do need to move quickly, to get somewhere on time. In this instance our movement has purpose, we’re moving to get somewhere or to meet someone. - You might be interested to know that fast walking is an Olympic sport. It was once known as ‘Pedestrianism’. Today the sport is called ‘Race Walking’. Let’s take a look at a top Race Walking athlete in action.
Show the YouTube clip ‘This Guy Walks Faster Than You Can Run’. This can be found at: This can be found at: https://youtu.be/k1ZbPI47aD0 - There’s no doubt about it, if someone is taking part in Race Walking, then they are walking with purpose, to get to a specific place in a specific time.
- However, today I want to make the case for another form of walking – Sauntering.
To help us understand what sauntering is – I’m going to invite X & Y to demonstrate sauntering for us.
Invite the pre-prepared students/staff to come and demonstrate how to saunter. - Sauntering is a very different type of walking to Race Walking. Sauntering comes from the French phrase ‘sans terre', meaning ‘without a care'. So, to saunter is to walk slowly and without a specific purpose. To saunter is to wander aimlessly, and embrace the art of strolling, without any destination or goal in mind. To saunter allows us to soak in the small joys and wonders along the way, as a means of relaxation and mindfulness. It encourages us to break away from the rush and chaos of daily routines.
- Sauntering can give our mental well-being a boost. Since the 1970s, there’s been a World Sauntering Day, celebrated on 19th June every year. The day is designed to promote the benefits of sauntering.
- Let’s think about some ways we might be able to build a bit of sauntering into our lives this June. Maybe then we can all reap the benefits of sauntering, without a care in the world!
- Show Slide 2.
Read through the slide:
Take a leisurely stroll: We could try taking a leisurely walk in our neighborhood, a nearby park, or along a scenic trail. Maybe this would help us leave our worries behind and immerse ourselves in the present moment.
Disconnect from technology: Maybe we could unplug from our devices and enjoy the serenity of nature or the bustling streets without distractions. Let our senses be our guide as we observe the sights, sounds, and smells around us.
Saunter with a friend: We could invite a friend or loved one to join us on our sauntering adventure. We could engage in meaningful conversations or enjoy comfortable silences as we walk side by side.
Practice mindfulness: Be mindful of each step we take, the rhythm of our breath, and the sensations in our body. Allow ourselves to be fully present and appreciate the beauty of the world around us.
Reflect and relax: Use this time to reflect on our thoughts, dreams, and aspirations. Let go of stress and tension as we surrender to the simple pleasure of sauntering.
Time for reflection
As well as literally going for a saunter, we can also adopt a ‘saunter-like’ attitude to life. We can aim to make a time and a place for approaching life without rush, hurry or without being fixated on productivity.
Show Slide 3.
We see something of these different approaches to life in a Bible passage from Luke’s Gospel. Jesus spent time with 2 of his friends, Martha and Mary. These sisters took different approaches. Martha worked away in the kitchen with a strong sense of purpose and direction, Mary sat idly chatting and listening to Jesus. Jesus complimented Mary for taking the time to do this. It’s not a case that one approach is better than the other. One sister is not ‘better’ than the other one – Jesus loved them both. But the passage can help us to see that if we are only ever focussed on getting somewhere and being productive, we might forget to take time to idle, chat, relax and be.
Show Slide 4.
A passage of the Bible from the Old Testament, is a good summary of what we have been thinking about today. The Message Translation says: ‘Slow down. Take a deep breath. What’s the hurry? Why wear yourself out? Just what are you after anyway?’ Jeremiah 2:25
This verse can help us as a reminder that slowing down, and taking a sauntering approach to life, can be helpful.
Read Slide 4.
So, let’s quietly pause and reflect on 3 questions:
Firstly, are you a Martha or a Mary?
Do you tend to focus on getting things done, as Martha did; or are you someone who stops, rests and saunters more easily, like Mary?
Pause to allow time for reflection.
Secondly, how do you feel about the idea of slowing down and taking a saunter – a relaxed walk without a purpose?
Pause to allow time for reflection.
Finally, if a literal saunter is not for you, are there any other ways you can build space into your day, so you can relax and reflect, free from technology or other distractions?
Pause to allow time for reflection.
Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Sometimes we can rush around, and forget to slow down to allow our minds to take a break.
Please help us to find ways to build balance into our lives, so we can enjoy time to saunter, relax and ponder without direct purpose.
As we do so, please help us to feel the mental and physical benefit that sauntering can provide for us.
Amen.
