contents - Gallatin School of Individualized Study - New York ...

ezekiel williamsezekiel williams Gaining Perspective110A Day Outsideit was a beautiful afternoon on Monday, March 19th, 2010. As I lookedout the window, I said to myself, It sure looks like spring outside. As classbegan, the first thing our teacher said to us was, “Have you ever heard theexpression ‘Stop and smell the roses?’”Everyone in the classroom had their own opinions and ideas of whatit means, but I had no idea. After she had finished explaining to us what itmeans, she said, “Today, we all are going outside to visit the Brooklyn Collegepond. We are going to walk around and quickly observe the surroundings.”As I sit on the bench, I look around. I see so many different trees withdifferent blossoms and different colors. The trees are very green and lookvery healthy. As I take a deep breath, I smell a beautiful scent. It smells likelavender.I observe a huge tree with its branches hanging over the pond, full ofpink blossoms. I can hear the waterfall and the birds singing. The birds areflying everywhere. It sounds like they are singing a song. I guess they likespring, too. I can see all different kinds of trees and plants. I love springtime.For me, it’s the best season of the year.Sitting next to the waterfall makes me think about life, about howfast it goes by, like springtime. Before you know it, it’s gone.As the wind blows, the blossoms from the tree fall on top of thewater. It’s a beautiful thing for me to see. I can feel the wind blowing softlyagainst my face. Being outside also helps me to concentrate and meditate.Students are passing by, the clock is chiming, the birds are singing, the windis blowing. I like being outside.I love nature.As I look to the left, I noticehow beautifully the rocks areSometimes we needTO take time to stopand smell the roses.