My Zen garden is like a little escape from the real world.

This place is where I can be free and creative with my movements. When I start to slowly move the sand around to different patterns, I feel my mind come at ease. I slip into this place of pure bliss and peace. My mind is completely relaxed and the only thing it is focused on is the way the rake moves through each piece of sand.

The garden takes my mind off of whatever is making the day stressful. It is my little place to take a deep breath and control my energy into. It is not only the way that I can do anything with the garden, it is also the meaning behind it.

The definition of Zen is “peaceful and calm.” When you feel Zen, you almost feel like all the weight has been lifted from you. You start to notice that you can breathe properly, and you are not so tensed up. When I put my mind into focusing on the garden, I feel this.

I instantly feel like I am floating on clouds. There are not many parts to the garden, but you make it seem so intricate. When you are able to feel all these creative thoughts rush in, it doesn’t just become a peaceful place it becomes a sanctuary. A sanctuary to put your thoughts and feelings. Even though you don’t write words or how you feel with what you can make it shows what is going on inside your head.

This place of Zen is so inviting. When I go to make patterns or just need a moment, I am able to feel everything slip away from me and just feel Zen all around.

Knowing that my Zen garden came from one of the best hearts makes it so much more special. My garden doesn’t just remind me to relax, it also reminds me of the person that gave it to me. It carries the energy through whenever I use it, so I always remember it is ok.

Having my Zen garden come from such a happy experience and person makes the Zen also a happy place. I don’t just feel the peace, but I feel all the happiness from learning about my garden. Remembering that this was for me to always keep that feeling of Zen.

Every time I use the garden, I can feel the positive energy from Dr. Gonsalves. This energy helps me remember that I am not alone and that I can get through everything. Having my Zen garden come from her means the world to me. This garden helps more than most things and it keeps this little peace of the happiness that I can feel when I take my mind of the worries.

This garden feels like home. A safe place where I can put whatever I need to into it because I know that where it came from it will always have that simplicity to it. Something so simple that came from someone so extraordinary puts me into this calming joyful world.

Thank you to my Zen garden for letting me have this space that I truly cherish.