“Surrender to what is.  Let go of what was.  Have faith in what will be.” 
~ Sonia Ricotti

September's Mindfulness Activity of the Month:

Engaging the Senses

It is certainly normal to sometimes feel overwhelmed with emotions such as sadness or anger. However, we cannot let emotions take away our ability to function in our daily lives or make you feel aloof in your personal relationships. There is not a simple cure to complex emotional problems, but mindfulness is a step in the right direction. It focuses on the senses and redirects your attention to your present state of being. This month, we are encouraging you to find ways to occupy your 5 senses. We have provided a list of recommendations, but it is by no means an exhaustive list. Remember that mindfulness is a skill that you have to learn and it probably won't be easy in the beginning. Like anything, you have to keep at it to gain the benefits. 

Sight

• Lava lamp
• Objects in a room
•  Picture/Photo
•  Kaleidoscope
•  Foreign movies without subtitles
•  Self (hand mirror)
•  Another person sitting in front of them

Taste

•  Pop Rocks
•  Popcorn
•  Pretzel
•  Lemon (citrus)
•  Different types of chocolate

Smell

•  Scents (lavender, etc.)
•  Lotion
•  Flowers
•  Oranges
•  Coffee beans
•  Scratch & sniff
•  Wine tasting kit (scents from the earth)
•  Herbs

Touch

•  Slap table
•  Cold/warm objects
•  Play dough or moon sand
•  Gack
•  Floating tongue
•  Lotion orHand Sanitizer
•  Holding ice
•  Rubber band
•  Tear paper

Hearing

•  Instrumental music
•  Foreign songs (a language you do not understand)
•  Nature sounds
•  Drum beat