Kel Norris Entry #6: Springtime Meditation

Yesterday afternoon, I left my phone in my dorm and went for a walk. It was hot outside, but there was a nice breeze to make it enjoyable. I noticed a thin sheet of yellow on just about everything outside--the trees, the grass, the sidewalk--but luckily, I am not allergic to pollen. I thought it blended quite nicely with the fresh new green of spring.

I struggle with quite a debilitating anxiety disorder. Going on walks like these helps clear my mind when I start to feel like I'm drowning in myself. Part of me still wants to move to a more urban place, but I'm not sure if I'd be able to cope with a lack of green space. As I was walking yesterday, I was thinking about how the smells of nature are truly one of a kind and difficult to replicate. There are bushes behind the music hall on campus with a very potent, floral smell. Before, I wasn't sure what people meant when they described flowers as having a beautiful smell (I thought they smelled kind of bad), but now I think I understand where they are coming from. I would like to find more nice smells in nature.

Earlier that day, I sat in a nice grassy area off campus with my friend. We played music and danced around a bit. I like this spot more than the Great Lawn. The Great Lawn feels a little awkward and artificial to me, and there isn't any shade either. There are no tiny white bee flowers; there are no dandelions. I don't like it very much at all.

Next time I'm on a walk, I'd like to find a creek to sit by. I like that the water is clear and shallow enough that you can see the rocks on the bed, and if I'm lucky, I'll go at a time when the sun reflects off the water and makes it look sort of glass-like. I think that would be my new favorite spot.

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