The Wander Society

It all started when the author bought a book in a dusty used bookstore, Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman. On the title page someone had written, "Solvitur ambulando ". Under that was, "The Wander Society", with a symbol of a thunderbolt. This finding began the author's search for a secret society of wanderers and led her to discoveries, which could have only happened through her persistent wandering. With exburance and generosity; the author shares the secrets and rewards that come from living the life of a wanderer.

Wandering is a mindset of being open to new ideas and discoveries. You too can become a member of the society. The author explains how on the book's back cover!

"Membership will require you to conduct research on your immediate environment and complete a variety of assignments designed to creatively disrupt everyday life. If you are interested, please proceed to the checkout. All else will be revealed in time."

She had me at "creatively disrupt everyday life". This book is a creative adventure; filled with suggested readings of inspiring authors, how-to's and brain tickling quotes. If you are feeling a little stuck and looking for a new ideas to spark your thinking, read it!

Read To Discover

The Origins of the Wander Society

Nature of Wandering

The Importance of Randomness

The Truth About Boredom

The Wander Society's Tactical Guide

Wandering Assignments

How-To-Section

Amazing Quotes That Light Your Soul on Fire!

The Origins of the Wander Society

Here is a picture gallery with examples of the author's discovery of the Wander Society's origination and its messages.

Nature of Wandering

Wandering - "The act of unplanned, aimless walking/exploring/ambling with a complete openness to the unknown".

The Importance of Randomness

"The wanderer does not plan, but lets experience tell him or her what will happen, what direction to go in."

"This openessess makes the wanderer more adaptable and resilient - wanderers are able to enjoy the moment whatever it is."

The author explains, "this does not mean eliminating routine". It's about incorporating spontaneity.

"Life is an experiment. To wander is to seek the unexpected."

The Truth About Boredom

If you are constantly distracting yourself with incessant computer use, television and games, your brain gets lazy. Daydreaming is encouraged because it stimulates a different kind of thinking process.

"In daydreams, which occupy a third of our waking state, the brain becomes highly active in those areas associated with complex problem solving, because in daydreaming the mind roams freely, broadly and profoundly across one's life." ~Jay Griffiths, A Country Called Childhood

The Wander Society's Tactical Guide

The overall tactical guidance for wandering comes from Henry David Thoreau who wrote his life's intent, "live deep and suck the marrow out of life."

Assignments

"Let the wild rumpus start!" ~Maurice Sendak, Where the Wild Things Are

The book's assignments are experimentation in creative play or action. Many are walking assignments with various intentions. I have tried a few that have turned a simple walk into one of discovery.

How-To Section

"What if our life skills had more value than our wordly possessions? The most content human by far is one one can create a world out of nothing." ~ Unknown Wander Society Member

Here's a chance to use your hands to create some new. Find directions for Knitting, Sewing, and Carving projects . Create your own notebook and take it on a walk.

Amazing Quotes That Light Your Soul on Fire!

"It is not down in any map; true places never are."

~Herman Melville, Moby Dick

"We save the world by being ourselves."

~Joseph Campbell, The Hero With A Thousand Faces

"But it isn't easy," said Pooh. "Because Poetry and Hums aren't things which you get, they're things which get you. And all you can do is to go where they can find you." ~A. A. Milne, The House at Pooh Corner