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Reflection Walk 23, Yr 2, Susan B. Anthony 3/12/16

October 18, 2016 By fmw

REFLECTION Walk #23, March 12, 2016. Walkers started at Susan B Anthony Elementary School, near Blackstone Olive. Some of the words Walkers used to describe this walk were fresh, diversity, surprising, cool water, contrasts, lively, community, mixed emotions, and friendly.

Walkers saw a playground built directly under the freeway, homeless people under the freeway, the Ted C. Wills Center and all the activity around youth basketball, a Universal Church, occasional brightly colored homes, decks that were built out over the canal, water flowing, a gated community on Blackstone, a school carnival, artwork by railroad tracks, children, pain of a man making a large heart with rocks beside the railroad tracks, in memory of his wife who had a seizure and died by the tracks, many dogs, a motorcyclist, and a man fixing car.

Walkers met a lady and her five children who lived right next to the train tracks, and she said the trains roll by several times a day. They saw a precious couple walking–he was paralyzed and in a wheel chair being pushed by his wife. They try to get out every day.

Walkers met Fresno State student volunteers working at the carnival at Anthony Elementary. Several tall volleyball players walked into the carnival as we passed through it. Many people happily sat on benches at the carnival and watched while their children participated in the games and bounce houses. It felt like community, with open gates today for the fun.

Walkers heard the sounds of roosters, rushing water, barking dogs, traffic, music, loud motorcycles by the playground under the freeway, the echo hum of traffic overhead, loud music, blowers, mowers, mechanical sounds, machinery, remodeling and construction sounds.

Walkers smelled popcorn, pancakes, freshness, greenery, citrus blossoms, lavender, rosemary, wet grass smell, and mowed grass.

Walkers felt these things were new or surprising: charming homes in this area, presence of Lowell community school and community, apparent revitalization, vibrancy to the area, churches, community center for all the things that make a life – Ted C Wills, Youth Center, Dickey Park, Youth For Christ, and Head Start. Walkers wondered where people shopped for groceries and fresh food. Walkers noticed an original DiCiccos, ClayMix where one can make bowls – Empty Bowls, murals, so many used car lots, a pharmacy closed, Clinica Sierra Vista, beautifully landscapd for doctors’ offices – pallets of bricks new construction next to CRMC. VASA at bacck of Ted C Will.

There was an uncomfortable moment for one Walker. As she talked to a gentleman on a porch, he warned her about where not to go in the neighborhood, to be careful and stay in a group–and the walking group had already disappeared around the corner. Another Walker said she was not going to let fear keep her out of any neighborhood.

These are our brothers and sisters in Fresno, and all of our lives and our futures are tied together.

https://www.facebook.com/fresnomindfulnesswalks/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1726990437587703

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Group walks are currently on hold – but don’t let that stop you from exploring your city!

Please use this Fresno Mindfulnessw Walks website as a resource to inspire and guide you on your own journey of walking mindfully!  Enjoy!
Lori Clanton

How FMW works —

Fresno Mindfulness Walks are weekly opportunities for people to walk together for a 4 mile route through a different Fresno neighborhood each week. Walkers practice active mindfulness by attending to the sights, sounds, smells, feelings.  Walkers do not talk to each other on walks, but we do greet people we meet along the way.  The walk location and exact start time are posted just a few days in advance. All walks are free, require no RSVP, and anyone is welcome to join one walk or many. To learn about upcoming walks, you can sign up for a weekly email in the yellow bar at the top of this website and/or LIKE and follow the FMW Facebook page.

 

To learn about the routine that begins each walk and read some of the resources that have inspired FMW, check out the resources page.

 

Weekly walks are about 4 miles and take about an hour and a half. Walks are at a medium pace, often on uneven ground, and sometimes take longer than expected because walkers see themselves as curious travelers lingering to observe or going around a different way.

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