Dear Bonnie,

Even though I filled out one of the evaluation forms in class today, I felt I did not do you or the class justice. I need time to focus and collect my thoughts in order to write a coherent evaluation. And so, because I enjoyed your class so much, I wanted to let you know some of the things I've gained as a result of taking "Mindfulness at Work."

As I mentioned in the first question on the evaluation form: this was, without a doubt, the best class I've taken at Dickinson. You provided us with handouts each week, yet added so much more with the examples from your life as a wife, parent, nurse, daughter, and friend; you included information you gathered at conferences, workshops, and from life in general; you also included information and resources by people such as: Jon Kabat-Zinn regarding Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction; by Nancy Zi on the Art of Breathing; by Dean Ornish; and Joan Chittister whose book, The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully, I just purchased because I enjoyed the passage you read from her book, Welcome to the Wisdom of the World. She is a gifted writer.

I was so excited after our first class, that I Googled Jon Kabat-Zinn and found that he had done a Mindfulness session for Google (which I watched).

I've found that I use the body scan meditation that you gave us the first day quite often during the course of the day, and focus on my breathing to relieve stress and restore my energy. I can truthfully say that I have felt so much better since I began taking this class. I feel more relaxed and definitely have more energy during the course of my day. I'm trying to let go of things when I don't know what to do with them. But the hardest thing for me, and I am working on this every day, is improving my listening skills. I used to be pretty good at listening but find that as I get older, my mind and thoughts begin to stray when I'm having a conversation or attending a lecture. This is a big one for me and am practicing listening.
There are other areas that I need to work on as well, and I feel that you have given me the tools and inspiration I need to follow through.

All of my friends know how much I have enjoyed this workshop. I hope Dickinson will offer this class again so others will have the opportunity to sign up and receive the benefit of your knowledge and feel your energy.

The above are just a few of the things that came to mind when I was walking back to the office today. I wanted to let you know that this is one class that is now part of my daily living. I hope I have the opportunity to attend other workshops you lead.

Thank you.

Vickie