Examen - 08
November 12, 2024
Examen: Community
SUMMARY: Consider what role community plays in your life and how you feel about your community today. This examen will prompt reflection on relationships, togetherness, isolation, and connection.
PRESENTER: Bizzy Stephenson (she/her), Community Outreach Program Coordinator, Community Service & Action
Transcript
Today’s examen is a reflection centered around community that will prompt you to consider what communities you are a part of and how they impact your life.
This examen could be taken in stillness, sitting somewhere you are comfortable and free. If movement is available to you, it could also be taken while you walk through your neighborhood, to prompt reflection on your community.
Begin this reflective process by feeling your mind begin to quiet. Take the deepest breath you’ve taken yet today. If you are not walking, close your eyes if it allows you to be more present with yourself.
As we reflect, try to refrain from placing judgements on your thoughts and emotions, accepting what comes up with openness and empathy. Giving yourself the freedom to explore what is on your mind and in your heart without filtering what you observe.
We are going to spend a few moments looking back on your day, from when you woke up to this current moment. Think back to this morning and how you felt when you woke up and began your day. Reflect on the people in your community. Who did you interact with this morning? Family or loved ones at home? Neighbors you rode the train with? Colleagues as you began your day today? Perhaps you communed with others in classes or meetings throughout the day.
Reflect on the natural and built environment of your community. How did you get to work or class? What assets or resources did you pass or utilize? Parks, libraries, educational institutions, places of worship?
Reflect on the importance of community in your life—on the connections that shape your days. Be open to whatever insights come as you reflect on your experience of belonging. Scan your interactions throughout the morning, afternoon and evening, looking for the gift of community.
Did you have a conversation that brought you joy, energy, or comfort today? Where are you experiencing those emotions in your body?
Who did you turn to when you needed someone, and how did they show up for you? Did you rely on a common resource of collective knowledge? What's something you did that was eased by community? How did you benefit from someone who walked your path before you? Or walks next to you?
When did you feel seen or understood? Did you feel a sense of belonging today? Were there conversations or interactions that left you feeling connected? Who did you spend time with, and what did those moments feel like? Think of specific instances where you shared something meaningful—whether a simple gesture or a deep conversation. What made these moments stand out?
Bring to mind relationships with people in your community that you’ve put love and energy into building. How have you built a sense of community or contributed to belonging and togetherness?
Also, take a moment to consider any communities you are a part of that you might not have interacted with today. Hold these communities in your heart, knowing they are part of you and you are part of them.
Consider all these gifts with gratitude for those you communed with. Turn your attention again to your breath and draw a deep breath in and then out.
Allow your attention to also acknowledge any challenging emotions from today. When did you feel loneliness, frustration, anxiety, or disconnection? Where are you feeling those emotions in your body?
Did you observe you were lacking community at any point today? Perhaps your commute was isolating, or you’re lacking support in your work or school.
Perhaps you desire something more? A community that is more inclusive? More connected? More thoughtful? What do you desire more of?
Were there moments when you felt distanced from others? Physical distance or emotional distance.
Did you notice yourself holding back from connection today or notice times when you could have reached out but didn’t? Reflect on what might have caused these feelings or actions.
Where in your life are you feeling an emptiness or a desire for togetherness?
Consider the places where you might have fallen short with your community today. Were there opportunities to engage more deeply with someone, to listen or help, that you missed? Acknowledge these without judgment, simply as part of being human. What can you learn from these moments?
As you come to the end of this day, what is it you want in the day ahead?
Where in your life is there a seed of community that you could nurture? What is a small step you could take tomorrow to water that seed?
As you think about tomorrow, consider how you want to show up in your community. What kind of presence do you want to be for others? Is there someone you feel called to connect with more intentionally? Is there someone who might not know how much you value their companionship? Who could you reach out to and connect with this week?
And again, as we near the end of this examen, take the deepest breath you’ve taken yet today.
Bring your awareness back to the space. Bring movement back into your body if you’ve
been still. If you went for a walk, steer yourself back toward your starting place.
As you leave this examen, continue to reflect on these thoughts and feelings as you observe your community with gratitude and hope. Gratitude for your communities and your unique role in them. And hope for a strong and loving community in the days to come.
Community takes work to build and sustain. Community requires us to be vulnerable with others and to stand in solidarity with each other. To be people for and with others. And community sustains us, catches us, and lifts us up. Carry a sense of connection and intention with you as you move forward, knowing that each day offers a chance to build and nurture the relationships that shape who you are.
November 12, 2024
Examen: Community
SUMMARY: Consider what role community plays in your life and how you feel about your community today. This examen will prompt reflection on relationships, togetherness, isolation, and connection.
PRESENTER: Bizzy Stephenson (she/her), Community Outreach Program Coordinator, Community Service & Action
Transcript
Today’s examen is a reflection centered around community that will prompt you to consider what communities you are a part of and how they impact your life.
This examen could be taken in stillness, sitting somewhere you are comfortable and free. If movement is available to you, it could also be taken while you walk through your neighborhood, to prompt reflection on your community.
Begin this reflective process by feeling your mind begin to quiet. Take the deepest breath you’ve taken yet today. If you are not walking, close your eyes if it allows you to be more present with yourself.
As we reflect, try to refrain from placing judgements on your thoughts and emotions, accepting what comes up with openness and empathy. Giving yourself the freedom to explore what is on your mind and in your heart without filtering what you observe.
We are going to spend a few moments looking back on your day, from when you woke up to this current moment. Think back to this morning and how you felt when you woke up and began your day. Reflect on the people in your community. Who did you interact with this morning? Family or loved ones at home? Neighbors you rode the train with? Colleagues as you began your day today? Perhaps you communed with others in classes or meetings throughout the day.
Reflect on the natural and built environment of your community. How did you get to work or class? What assets or resources did you pass or utilize? Parks, libraries, educational institutions, places of worship?
Reflect on the importance of community in your life—on the connections that shape your days. Be open to whatever insights come as you reflect on your experience of belonging. Scan your interactions throughout the morning, afternoon and evening, looking for the gift of community.
Did you have a conversation that brought you joy, energy, or comfort today? Where are you experiencing those emotions in your body?
Who did you turn to when you needed someone, and how did they show up for you? Did you rely on a common resource of collective knowledge? What's something you did that was eased by community? How did you benefit from someone who walked your path before you? Or walks next to you?
When did you feel seen or understood? Did you feel a sense of belonging today? Were there conversations or interactions that left you feeling connected? Who did you spend time with, and what did those moments feel like? Think of specific instances where you shared something meaningful—whether a simple gesture or a deep conversation. What made these moments stand out?
Bring to mind relationships with people in your community that you’ve put love and energy into building. How have you built a sense of community or contributed to belonging and togetherness?
Also, take a moment to consider any communities you are a part of that you might not have interacted with today. Hold these communities in your heart, knowing they are part of you and you are part of them.
Consider all these gifts with gratitude for those you communed with. Turn your attention again to your breath and draw a deep breath in and then out.
Allow your attention to also acknowledge any challenging emotions from today. When did you feel loneliness, frustration, anxiety, or disconnection? Where are you feeling those emotions in your body?
Did you observe you were lacking community at any point today? Perhaps your commute was isolating, or you’re lacking support in your work or school.
Perhaps you desire something more? A community that is more inclusive? More connected? More thoughtful? What do you desire more of?
Were there moments when you felt distanced from others? Physical distance or emotional distance.
Did you notice yourself holding back from connection today or notice times when you could have reached out but didn’t? Reflect on what might have caused these feelings or actions.
Where in your life are you feeling an emptiness or a desire for togetherness?
Consider the places where you might have fallen short with your community today. Were there opportunities to engage more deeply with someone, to listen or help, that you missed? Acknowledge these without judgment, simply as part of being human. What can you learn from these moments?
As you come to the end of this day, what is it you want in the day ahead?
Where in your life is there a seed of community that you could nurture? What is a small step you could take tomorrow to water that seed?
As you think about tomorrow, consider how you want to show up in your community. What kind of presence do you want to be for others? Is there someone you feel called to connect with more intentionally? Is there someone who might not know how much you value their companionship? Who could you reach out to and connect with this week?
And again, as we near the end of this examen, take the deepest breath you’ve taken yet today.
Bring your awareness back to the space. Bring movement back into your body if you’ve
been still. If you went for a walk, steer yourself back toward your starting place.
As you leave this examen, continue to reflect on these thoughts and feelings as you observe your community with gratitude and hope. Gratitude for your communities and your unique role in them. And hope for a strong and loving community in the days to come.
Community takes work to build and sustain. Community requires us to be vulnerable with others and to stand in solidarity with each other. To be people for and with others. And community sustains us, catches us, and lifts us up. Carry a sense of connection and intention with you as you move forward, knowing that each day offers a chance to build and nurture the relationships that shape who you are.