Thursday, October 26, 2017, at noon, Fresno State campus staff and faculty spent 45 minutes as mindfulness walkers, seeing their campus with new eyes and an intentional heightened awareness. Thank you to Francine Oputa, for inviting Fresno Mindfulness Walks for the monthly lunch of Women’s Campus Connection.
After the noon time walk, the group gathered to share their observations:
Things that stood out, even to those familiar with the campus:
University High School students chatting, so animated.
The water flowing inside the Armenian monument.
Conely art building exhibit of women in Afghanistan – a WOW moment. Noticed the faces of each other while looking at the photo exhibit. The whole group of walkers seemed emotionally moved but the powerful images. Struck by the contrast a few minutes later as we walked through University High School.
Other side of campus – east side – hadn’t really explore that before.
Art exhibit of photos of Afghan women.
This is a really big campus.
Challenge to walk slowly and notice details.
Sights:
- Sun dial.
- Noticed a little corner/alcove where students discarding bottles and cans.
- Youth in University High School – struck a different tone.
- Noticed diversity of students – intermingling of groups. Beauty in diversity.
- Connection with women on campus.
- Mural of powerful women at the back of Conely building. (https://library.fresnostate.edu/node/135)
Sounds
- Squirrels fighting
- Birds
- Skateboards and scooters.
- Generators hum.
- Crunching of the leaves.
- Splash and flow of water in the large foundation in front of bookstore.
- Students talking.
- Airplanes.
- Loud construction equipment.
- Cell phone conversation.
Smells:
- Flowers by Thomas Building
- Pizza
- High school
- Apples
- Chemistry lab – recalled same smell decades earlier
- Something burning by the furnace.
- Grass – cut grass
- Clay
- Oven in art building
Feelings:
- Tranquility of the Fresno State campus
- Noticed students and if they seem confident – or those who seemed to be hiding.
- Powerful.
- Saw two students hugging – sweet thing to witness.
- Struck with the realization that everyone is going through something.
- Lucky to be here, and proud of this campus.
- Diversity among the students is beautiful.
- Satisfaction – a strong sense of home here.
- Grateful.
Remarks about the silent walk experience:
“I’m use to venting when I walk, but this allowed me to notice things I didn’t see before.”
“Walking and not talking was easier than I thought it would be.”
“By not talking, you see more, and use all your senses.”
See all the photos from the Fresno State campus walk:
Google photo album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/S5MeQW6A1lPyRK9t1
Facebook photo album:
