“I think that part of it is observing oneself more impersonally. I often use this image, which I think I have used already, but let me say it again.  That when you go out into the woods and you look at trees, you see all these different trees. And some of them are bent, and some of them are straight, and some of them are evergreens, and some of them are whatever. And you look at the tree and you allow it. You appreciate it. You see why it is the way it is. You sort of understand that it didn’t get enough light, and so it turned that way. And you don’t get all emotional about it. You just allow it. You appreciate the tree. The minute you get near humans, you lose all that. And you are constantly saying “You’re too this, or I’m too this.” That judging mind comes in. And so I practice turning people into trees. Which means appreciating them just the way they are.”  

- Ram Dass

What you will get out of it:

Throughout this program, you have used your 5 senses to explore your backyard, the park down the street, or maybe you visited a new place within the National Recreation Area.  In this module, you will reflect on what you have seen, felt, or learned throughout this program.

What you will do:

First, complete the journal entry under stretch to help you reflect on the prior modules.

1. Stretch - Journal

2. Stretch - Interconnectedness podcast

3. Stretch - Interconnectedness video

4. Connect - Journal

5. Culminating activity 

6. Discussion question

"Men laughing by green valley"" by Matheus Ferrero