Exploring TCU Through Mindfulness

    In my mindfulness class, we did an outdoor walking meditation by the FAB and music center. It was a cloudy day, and the wind made it feel cooler. As I slowly walked around observing my surroundings, I noticed things I had never paid attention to before. There is a beautiful water fountain in front of the music center that is copper and decorated with rocks. I found it minimalistic but relaxing, especially hearing the water trickling and the wind rustling through the leaves. Hearing moving water is calming to me, and I liked that the fountain did not splash. I also appreciated the plants around the fountain, including what I identified as skullcaps and grass-like plants from the order Poales, which made the area feel more immersed in nature. As I continued walking toward the FAB, I began appreciating TCU’s landscaping more and more. Since I am rarely in that area, I had never noticed that under the bridge there are rocks and plants like wax myrtle, which made it feel similar to a riverbank without water.

    As I got closer to the front of the FAB, I noticed flowers from the aster family and mealy blue sage that I had not seen in other parts of campus. Next to the FAB, there is a fence along a neighborhood lined with bamboo, which I found interesting since at the nature center we were removing it for being invasive. Overall, this experience brought me a sense of gratitude for TCU’s campus and a feeling of happiness.

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