Mindful Mini Meditations along our new SOUL PATH at the perimeter of our 5-acre property!

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Are you ready to look inside your SOUL from a new perspective? Join us for Mindful Mini Meditations while walking along our SOUL Path, immersing yourself in nature's beauty during this walking meditation. Our Mindful Mini Meditations will make you consciously aware of what it means to be present in the here and now, to be mindful of each moment, to let go and just "be."  

 

Have you heard of forest bathing? When we first heard those words, we weren't picturing doing baths along our path, but don't worry, that's not what we have in mind for you!

 

Shinrin-yoku (the literal translation is "forest bathing" but think about bathing as "immersion") surfaced in Japan in the 1980s to help those who suffered "work burnout" to reconnect with the country’s extensive network of forests. By immersing themselves in nature and mindfully using all five senses (touch, sight, hearing, smell, and taste), those who were previously burned-out greatly improved their mental and physical wellbeing. 

 

We look forward to sharing this new program to help you improve your physical and mental well-being. In addition to nature's beauty of the trees surrounding our property, seeing our special therapy animals in their natural surroundings brings feelings of happiness, joy and healing to our SOULs.

 

We can't wait to Shinrin-yoku together on our SOUL Path!

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A special thanks to The Home Depot-Crystal Lake and The Home Depot Foundation for the beautification grant for our SOUL Path. There are gorgeous wagon wheel benches in the mulched rock garden and in front of the mini paddock, as well as around the path. There is a new American Flag and 5 patriotic flag benches that represent the 5 branches of the military that we honor at our SOUL Veterans program. Over 200 daffodils were planted in the southeast corner of the property next to the Trellis and the butterfly bench. Another bench trellis is the northeast corner so people can pause and enjoy the beauty of our property. 

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In Spring 2022, we will add plaques to each of the corners to honor the memories of Robert Serafin and Steven Wittkowski. We are so very grateful for their families' support of our animal therapy program and mission. 

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