As Rochester has experienced its first snowfall of the year and Thanksgiving is right around the corner, I have been reflecting a lot about the idea of gratitude. In previous blogs, I have talked a bit about why I chose Naz and how fortunate I am for all of the opportunities the school has presented me during my undergraduate career; from studying abroad to attending professional music therapy and Italian conferences, the list goes on and on. However, in this blog I want to talk about the smaller things that I experience at Naz on a daily basis but often take for granted. I feel that during this time of year, we often become overwhelmed with trying to practice gratitude through grand gestures, but acknowledging the small things that surround us everyday is just as powerful.
Local Coffee
Okay I admit it, I hated coffee before I went to Naz, but as time has progressed I have come to embrace the bean. Naz offers Starbucks coffee at Millie’s, which is our little coffee shop in the library. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good Starbucks Dark Roast, but I also love exploring local coffee shops that offer their own unique flavors. Fortunately, Naz sells Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters coffee as well! They offer a lot of unique flavors for each season. Some of my favorite fall flavors were witches’ brew, snickerdoodle, and pumpkin spice.
Yoga @ Naz
Before coming to Naz, I had never tried yoga other than the stretches I had learned through dance and sports. Going to night light yoga in Linehan Chapel for the first time as a freshman changed this forever. I was surprised by how holistically focused the practice of yoga is; before this time, I had never practiced mindfulness in any capacity. Now, yoga has become an expression of my spirituality as well as a way for me to listen to what my body needs in the present moment. Sometimes that may be challenging myself to hold headstands, but more often than not it is to relax my tense muscles after a long day of classes and to allow my thoughts to flow freely. I have fallen in love with yoga, and while I don’t have time to go to class every week on campus, I can use the tools I have learned from these classes to center myself at home. I am grateful that Naz gave me the opportunity to explore something that I would have never tried on my own.
Nazareth’s Beautiful Nature in Any Season
As someone who loves being outside, it can be challenging for me to spend the majority of the day in a classroom. However, I need to only step outside to realize that I am surrounded by lush pine trees and clear air. I savor the time I spend walking from GAC (Golisano Academic Center) to the Arts Center, because it allows me to set aside my academic work and to be mindful of the natural beauty that surrounds me everyday. Whether the campus is exploding with the vibrant colors of fall or a lush winter snowfall, it’s hard not to appreciate the beautiful nature that Naz has to offer. Fun fact: the pine trees that bring me so much joy to see on a daily basis were all planted by a Sister of Saint Joseph. Which brings me to my next and final gratitude…
The Sisters of Saint Joseph
For those who don’t know, Nazareth College was founded in 1924 by the Sisters of Saint Joseph (SSJ). It began as an all women’s Catholic school, with its faculty being comprised of Sisters who received degrees from universities such as Oxford and Sorbonne. The SSJs founded Naz with the following premise: “To serve all without distinction.” As the college has grown in size and opportunities, this core pillar has remained in tact. As a music therapy major, I see this directly reflected in the clinical work that I and so many other students participate in at the York Wellness and Rehabilitation Institute (WRI). The services provided at the WRI are of little to no cost for patients of all ages and backgrounds. The SSJs presence expands far beyond the WRI too – from the “Day of Service” that every Naz student completes during orientation to the Solidarity and Social Justice Retreats (SSJs- how clever is that?) held through the Center for Spirituality. Knowing that I attend an institution that was founded by compassionate and intelligent women who emphasized the importance of social justice and “serving the dear neighbor” is truly something to be grateful for.