Stroll Twelve: FULFILLMENT

At some point in life, the world’s beauty becomes enough.
– Toni Morrison, author

Introduction:
During the previous eleven strolls you have explored themes of awareness, possibility, reflection, transition, connection, journey, trust, forgiveness, gratitude, joy and freedom. This final stroll invites you to begin to integrate the new consciousness you have developed over these past few weeks into your life as you seek meaning and fulfillment on your continued journey.

Pause 1
The ponds in the Aquatic Garden are so large and visible that visitors don’t always notice the gardens’ namesake brook flowing on just the other side of the Heart Smart Trail. How is the pursuit of fulfillment similar? (McCaffrey, Ruth DNP, FAAN. “Strolls for Well-Being at Brookside Gardens.”, Brookside Gardens, 2006, p. 102).

Journal Entry 1
Maybe it’s that fulfillment doesn’t have to be a grand presence. Sometimes you are fulfilled in life and not notice it.

Update to Journal Entry 1
I agree with the statement in my initial journal entry. We, as humans, already know what fulfillment in life looks and feels like for us because it’s within. Sometimes we have to just slow down, reconnect with ourselves, and be there.

Pause 2
Look back once more at the story of your life as you wrote it in the beginning of this book. Identify where you felt a sense of purpose or meaning. Focus on what you were doing at those times, rather than on the setting or the people around you. (McCaffrey, Ruth DNP, FAAN. “Strolls for Well-Being at Brookside Gardens.”, Brookside Gardens, 2006, p. 102).

Journal Entry 2
I’m my best self when I follow my intuition, my gut, my heart, and when I’m being true to myself.

Update to Journal Entry 2
Since that journal entry, I have been living my life based on my intuition a lot more in my personal life. I no longer coast by in family dynamics, relationships, parenting, career etc. I am now very intentional with time, space, and energy. I adjust as needed and let go of things and relationships that no longer serve me.

Pause 3
Look out at the Anderson Pavilion island, surrounded by water, and consider the ways in which you may be isolated – from yourself, from the past or future, or from the land, people, or world around you. How might reconnecting bring a sense of fulfillment? How might you begin that process? (McCaffrey, Ruth DNP, FAAN. “Strolls for Well-Being at Brookside Gardens.”, Brookside Gardens, 2006, p. 103).

Journal Entry 3
N/A

Update to Journal Entry 3
It seems I didn’t have anything to say in response to the journal prompt when I read it for the first time, and it’s not surprising. The journal prompt is extremely introspective, and I don’t think at the time I was at the point where I could adequately answer the questions. However, now I can! ;0)

In the Spring of 2024, I was extremely isolated from myself, present, past, and future. Through this program, therapy, reconnecting with nature, friends, community, as well as doing the actual work, I found myself. I understand my past self in terms of the conditions I grew up in and decisions I made. I understand what my present self needs on a daily basis to stay grounded in self and my truth. I understand what it takes for me to tap into my future self because she already exists. I have to just continue to do the work, and my progress and success will be the proof.

Pause 4
Choice is integral to each of the themes of these strolls. There is much in life that we cannot decide for ourselves. Yet, we have infinite choice in how we respond to the challenges we experience, relate to ourselves and others, and situate ourselves within the universe. What choices will you make, small and large, to create a fulfilling life? (McCaffrey, Ruth DNP, FAAN. “Strolls for Well-Being at Brookside Gardens.”, Brookside Gardens, 2006, p. 103).

Journal Entry 4
I will trust myself and that I’m making the right decision without fear or regret.

Update to Journal Entry 4
The choices that I will make, small and large, to create a fulfilling life are to stay true to myself. Take note of my emotions, regulate them, then respond and act accordingly. Not everyone needs to know everything, and not every action deserves a response.

Pause 5
In your seventh stroll, you asked what it might mean for you to trust the universe. How did the concept of acceptance figure into your answer? What about hope? Appreciate that these may also be the keys to finding fulfillment in a world that is at once chaotic, predictable, terrible and lovely. (McCaffrey, Ruth DNP, FAAN. “Strolls for Well-Being at Brookside Gardens.”, Brookside Gardens, 2006, p. 103).

Journal Entry 5
Trusting the universe and accepting things as they are go hand in hand.

Update to Journal Entry 5
Since entering into my adulthood and figuring things out on my own, trusting the universe has always been my compass. However, I never thought to apply the same principles that I learned to use to navigate my career in my personal life. That is until now. My relationships with family and friends have changed drastically for the betterment of me. I’ve pretty much always been a loner growing up, and now I’m tapping back into that space more. As far as hope, I believe hope for yourself and future self is great. However, having hope in people can be a bit risky. I think you need to believe people when they show you who they are and stop trying to make them be something they are not.

Pause 6
Find your way to the bridge that leads to Anderson Pavilion. Standing here, reconnect with your original goals in embarking on the Strolls for Well-Being. Perhaps you wanted to make a change, process difficult emotions, or engage more deeply with your inner self. Whatever the reason, the strolls were a bridge for you as you reckoned with how to move forward; and now you are arriving at the other side. How will your evolving understanding of the themes of these strolls inform your decisions and life in the days ahead? Looking out over the water, take a moment to contemplate the possibilities before you.

… And now, one final time, bring your attention back from those wide open future spaces. Look around at these gardens: at the azaleas and the grasses, at the honeysuckle and the cedar and the turtles sunning on logs. Let your thoughts drift away from you like leaves on the brook just beyond this pond. These will be time for further reflection, for possibilities and new ways of living to emerge; but right now, your mind has nowhere to be but where you stand. (McCaffrey, Ruth DNP, FAAN. “Strolls for Well-Being at Brookside Gardens.”, Brookside Gardens, 2006, p. 103).

Let yourself rest.

Journal Entry 6
The themes of the stroll will always be a point of grounding, searching for meaning and understanding of the root of my issues. I will continue to reflect on the themes of the stroll because although some prompts have been extremely easy for me. Others have not.

Update to Journal Entry 6
Since I began my stroll in 2024, I have made a lot of changes in my life. I’ve processed extremely difficult emotions and have been able to connect with myself on a deeper personal and spiritual level. The lessons and practices I’ve learned from this stroll will forever be ingrained within me. So much so that I now understand my life purpose and will be walking in that soon. I mean, at this point, the possibilities before me are endless, and I’m really excited about life.