Hey again, V.I.S.A. Friends!

A few months ago, I shared about mindfulness and home connectors, and I won't deny that it was hard for me to be brief about it. So today, I want to share a little more. I started practicing mindfulness when I moved to Memphis, and since then, it has been a very helpful practice. Coming from a warm culture where relationships are at the center of everything, I found myself experiencing more solitude than ever before. I remember finding a spot under a big tree on campus and lying down in the shadow. I noticed how the wind would move the tree leaves, and it felt like a dance. After that, it turned into a prayer, a silent one. One of those prayers that brings you a sense of calm after a big storm. I remember taking deep breaths and feeling a little lighter every time I exhaled. Little did I know that I was practicing the five senses exercise. Today, I want to invite you to find a peaceful spot in Memphis and practice the following mindfulness exercise:

Notice 5 things that you can see 👁️

This can help you notice things that your eyes have never paid attention to before.

Notice 4 things that you can feel/touch ✋

It can be the sunlight, the way the grass feels on your barefoot, etc.

Notice 3 things that you can hear 👂

Maybe you are playing some music, the sound of tree leaves, or the lovely sound of the neighbor mowing the grass. 😅

Notice 2 things that you can smell 👃

Speaking of the neighbor, maybe you are smelling the fresh-cut grass or your beverage. 

Lastly, notice 1 thing that you can taste 😋

I bet you have a yummy snack in your bag.

Remember that there is not a right or wrong way of practicing this exercise. And while practicing it, you might notice some familiar things, or in other words, some more home connectors. Something that brings you a sense of home and comforts you.

Hugs,

Your fellow international friend 🫶

STELA SINANAJ • ALBANIA

Stela moved to Memphis from Albania in 2018 to complete her studies in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Harding University. She graduated in 2019. In her free time Stela loves to bike, kayak, read, watch sunsets, outdoor yoga, learn about new cultures and cuisines, travel, and spend quality time with international and American friends.