One of the First Things to Do when You
Return from Break: Unplug!
The Friday
before Spring Break, I spent my day at an advising conference on campus where
the keynote speaker, Dr. Peter Doolittle, an educational psychology professor
at Virginia Tech, talked about mindfulness. One definition I found in Psychology Today identifies this term as
“a state of active, open attention on the present.”
For us to be
more mindful, we need to take a break from all the messages that are thrown our
way and just be. March 20 is the first day of spring, so here is my mindfulness
prescription for all of us.
Unplug. Take a break from your smart phone for a whole afternoon on
the next beautiful spring day (come on, you can do it!). Put your phone down,
turn off your laptop and head outside.
Savoring Spring: Top 10 Things to See or
Do on Your Mindfulness Journey!
1. Look for your first Robin, a sign that Spring is on its way.
2. See if you can find some daffodils and crocuses blooming,
another sure sign of the start of Spring
3. Visit the fields near Smithfield
Plantation to see a newborn foal or lamb
4. Walk around the Duck Pond to view the baby
ducks or geese
5. Visit
the Drillfield and the April 16 Memorial for a moment of
silence and appreciation for those who went before us
6. Take a blanket outside, soak up the sun, and catch up on some
reading
7. Throw
a Frisbee, kick a soccer ball, or play catch with a friend
8. Look
at the view from the Pylons
at the War Memorial and pause for a time of thankfulness for those who gave up
their lives for our freedom
9. Admire the blooms on the Bradford Pear trees across campus
10. Enjoy an ice cream cone, smoothie, milk shake or some other frozen treat
Rejoice in the
rebirth that comes with spring! Get unplugged and celebrate the world right in
front of your eyes, if you will only take the time to look. Savor the Spring!
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