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February 22, 2021
For our final meeting at this place we each brought something to eat. We brought our own snacks to enjoy as we were a bit busy to bring something for everyone to share. We enjoyed sitting in this space, eating and chatting. Sheana brought the book “The Sharing Circle” by Theresa Larsen-Jonasson and read it to the group. We followed this book and shared a in a gratitude circle. The food, the sharing of stories, and the conversations connected us to the land and also to each other. We reflected on how much we have learned about this land and from this land by spending time here. We discovered the importance of using many senses to feel connection. We have seen changes occur in this place. What will it look and feel like in a few months? We look forward to returning to this place when we return from our long practicum.
While in this place Jenn discovered a plastic pop bottle in the tree. This felt like it did not belong here and we were curious about the story of it. Was it merely just someone littering, is someone hiding it, did an animal move it, how many things come into this space throughout the time we are not present here?
We thought back to an article we read about how it feels to be in nature: “Nature is a restorative environment. One of the states of attention that leads to restoration is soft fascination. Natural environments provide ample opportunity for soft fascination, experiences that can be healing, revitalizing, and cultivate reflection with little to no effort. From the dawn chorus, or cloud watching, or a murmuring stream, we can regain the ability to focus and concentrate” (Beavington, 2021, p. 749).
There were many ways that we felt this soft fascination in this place throughout the term, using our senses. We always felt good in our place, we enjoyed being there, and connecting with each other.
Picture taken by Jenn, February 22, 2021