It\u2019s graduation season\u2014the end of one era and the start of another, whether that means graduate school, a new job, the military, or travel. No matter what plans come next, students walking across the stage at commencement are closing the door to some of the most pivotal years of their\u2013our\u2013 lives.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Reflection is the practice of studying your own experiences, thoughts, actions, and decisions to learn and improve. Reflecting on and remembering what matters most also helps you move forward in directions that keep you aligned with your aspirations.<\/p>\n
Kelly E. Miller<\/a> is the director of the University of Miami Libraries\u2019 Mindfulness and Well-Being Programs<\/a> and associate dean for learning and research services. Throughout the year, she leads virtual mindfulness programs and offers online and in-person workshops, retreats, and support.<\/p>\n \u201cMindfulness helps us to see clearly what is happening in our internal world as we experience or anticipate change,\u201d Miller said. \u201cFor instance, we might notice that we are anxious as we imagine different future scenarios and that we are grieving at the thought of saying goodbye to dear friends and teachers. Mindfulness helps us recognize that it’s normal as human beings to experience such a mix of emotions in times of transition and that these times, however difficult, are temporary.\u201d<\/p>\n Reflection and mindfulness can take many forms, including simple practices like awareness of breathing and walking meditations. Miller suggests writing down what you\u2019re grateful for in a journal each night before going to bed to help in times of transition.<\/p>\n \u201cYou might discover for yourself that, even in the most challenging of times, there are always things to be grateful for, whether a nourishing meal that you ate, the warmth of sunlight or fresh air to breathe, or the comfort of a cat or dog companion,\u201d Miller said.<\/p>\n