Mindfulness and Engaged Living – Class of 2023

MINDFULNESS AND ENGAGED LIVING

Class of 2023

CONTENT Mindfulness Practice.........................................................................4 Returning after practice.....................................................................6 Generosity and kindness....................................................................7 Food..................................................................................................9 Connecting to Nature......................................................................10

POET LAUREATES Bilkovsky, Caitlyn J

Marcus, Matthew Landon

Brodzik, Lane

Miranda, Lesley

Bultman, Thea Christine

Na, Leah

Casper, Jordan

Noraeva, Katherine

Chun, Haneul

Singh, Navpreet

Dwyer, Deanna

Sloan, Kimberly Jenelle

Fox, Natalie Eliana

Srivastav, Riya

Grewal, Sophia

Williams, Aaron John

Hu, Michael

Wurster, Mary Osberg

Hurley, Emma Grace

Yang, Fuchun

Ibrahim, Aisha Bisola

Zelin, Halle

Kasto, Jessica Thaka Lee, Nathan Parker

Our sincere thanks to our teacher Zilka Joseph

Mindfulness Practice As I rise from this peaceful place, A warmth of care upon my face, I’ll carry this love with me each day, Guiding my steps along the way.

May my heart stay open, my spirit light, Filled with compassion, free from spite, And may my kindness, like a gentle breeze, Bring joy and peace to all I seize.

Breath in Mindfulness in my mind Joy in my mind Smiling My mom, dad, brother, friends, Justin, and workers at my school Hoping they are happy Thinking how they laugh and enjoy the life Sending a small piece of hope and joy in their life Hoping it reaches them Hoping they are happy Breath out Feeling quite a bit tired.

But who isn’t?

In one way, being tired is a privilege.

I get to do so much and be a part of so many things that I’ve run out of energy.

In another way, being tired is a negative side effect of grind culture.

Our society’s mentality of running ourselves into the ground.

Refusing to pause when we need it.

Privilege or suffering?

A bit of both.

Thankful for my mandatory pause for a breath meditation today.

Getting to pause, but only because it’s considered homework.

Grind culture wins yet again.

4

No distractions, breathe.

No distractions, breathe.

One, two, three, four.

Come back. Love to distractions.

Stories I forgot about.

Breathe.

In. Tense, tense, tense.

Compassion, connection.

Out. Tingling sensation, freedom of the day.

Instructions Relief dwells over me as I sit in the dark space and allow myself to breathe.

In. Out. In. Out. Breathing calmly and staying in control.

Wandering mind, it is okay.

Remain kind to yourself.

You are only human.

Relaxed, hungry, calm, and energized are sensations I felt after my practice.

I could hear my stomach growling, and I knew I had to eat soon.

My mind was all over the place, but once I focused on my breath I could feel a sense of calmness.

I have a lot of assignments, but my mind rills full of energy, ready to compute them.

I now feel relaxed and rejuvenated after a long day.

Anxious in the beginning Headaches and eye strains are bothering me Now, slowly close my eyes, and focus on my breath Don’t think of anything but just relax 5

Inhale and exhale I can feel that I am alive As I breathe more, the pains and worries are flowing away Instructions Don’t worry I will do a great job tomorrow Calmed lots for a day to be heard to give what is inside me to see inside my stress and be with my stress and to appreciate life

Returning after practice Colorful vehicles and trees run beside me All are heading toward different destinations Realization hits me we are all alive.

In my living room, my favorite place to rest.

Out of all of the comfy brown couches in the world, I think I have the best.

This place is mine, and mine only I’ve done my best to make it homey Bathed in purple and orange light A relaxing and welcoming sight.

Here I exist in my own space The only member of the human race My solitude is my greatest treasure Coming home is always a pleasure.

My eyes open up as I enter my environment 6

I see myself That’s Ok. The makeup mirror in front of me reminds me of preparing for a good time But looking at myself after meditation is weird I see just a human I remember that under my skin, there are blood and organs the same as everyone else knowing this is special A baby crying An alarm clock going off Say a quick prayer before starting my day What is my agenda today?

What is today? What day?

What time is the class?

Do I have time for breakfast?

Did I do the assignments for today?

A simple morning greeting to baby What’s for dinner?

Errands after school How do I feel today Did I get enough rest?

Checking phone for important information Let’s get the day started

Generosity and Kindness A dream after a series of nightmares A space suddenly mine without conditions or contingencies little by little, the emptiness was filled with soft white wood an accent wall that brought the brightness of the sun to fight against the cold grey space a desk that allows me to invest in myself the way my quasi-parents have invested in me a place of my own a sense of belonging found again 7

The glass shattered, metal ripped people crying, sirens wailing there you are beside the wreckage “Is that everything I can do?” without thought, you lend a helping hand always having kindness for others you inspire me daily A long week that seems to have no end in sight A tunnel with no guiding light to lead me home until suddenly, I hear the rustle of paper on my door A bright square illuminates the dark tunnel suddenly the finish line becomes clear after so many dark skies who knows, a little note of encouragement could hold so much power? who knows, words could be such a source of strength and love Ann Arbor might seem like its own bubble But that’s false...life outside the University exists such as can be seen at the BTC (Blake Transit Center), where a mix of life within the University and outside the university can be seen.

One day, a teenager was there, looking around-lost He knew where he needed to be but didn’t know how to get there.

A Bus driver guided him-told him where to go- and where to exist Almost mother-like.

She took him under her wings, even for only a couple of minutes, and helped him get where he needs to be The boy relaxed in the bus seat – stress-relieved almost. as he now was able to get to his destination.

To give and give and expect nothing you are a martyr of your own 8

I see you, but you don’t see me That flower speaks 1000 words she will love you for who you are not for the flower your kindness is her source of gratitude A basket of all My favorite things and eight Notes I will cherish

Food Creamy and thick dull to the eye but exciting to the village on my tongue potatoes styled just the way I like playfully combined with my name our connection special. made for me with the love only a mother can imbue to green beans The best pancake you ever had you said that to your aunt she is all happy, telling you to eat more she asked you if it was a tough trip 7236 miles, 13 hours flight you are a dandelion flowing with the wind wherever you go, beneath the ground there is a dandelion root Rose, shimmering glaze Cheddar infused oats, onions Mom’s meatloaf is home A spicy and sour smell touches my nose A familiar and warm smell is filled in the space 9

Today’s dinner is kimchi jjigae, Yes, I love my mom’s kimchi jjigae The taste that I never can feel in the US Yes, I am at home.

I am really at home.

From jjigae, I feel my mom and home.

Noodle, a food from thousands of years ago You are coming back from school thousands of miles away We have not seen each other for years She cooks it for you in the kitchen Even though she has rheumatism and barely could walk Tears dropping into the bowl You look at the clock and know it is time to go When can you see her next time?

Unknown The smell of meatloaf TV playing in the background in the room Music playing on my phone in the kitchen The kitchen sink running periodically Familiar sound of Netflix once I sit down to eat Random conversations Darkness outside The aroma of my favorite dish Smells better than it tastes Oh, what a meal

Connecting to Nature A frayed rope dangles from a tree, It looks as if it has always been there, An extension of its branches, The yellow fibers look scratchy and rough, Uninviting to the touch, But should you choose to grab ahold, And swing over the incline of sand, 10

And feel the wind rush past your face, And look towards the sun through the full summer trees, There will be no regrets Waves meet sandy shores Gulls caw, sun ablaze above no worries, just life My favorite outdoor spot, a peaceful retreat where my heart belongs to The rustling leaves, in a calming dream They bring me to a state of ease In this place of peace, I feel at one.

I’m surrounded by peace and calm.

A warm sun ray, a cool breeze The lake is still but echoes the wind The birds fly relentlessly throughout The noises beyond the trees intrigue me I close my eyes and imagine The peace and calm that heals me

11

negative capability

compassion

mindful mindset sympathetic joy

situated intersectional awareness wonder

12

generosity

cultural humility