The Gratitude Project Picnic at Patch

Gratitude becomes a daily practice to explore amid the lotus ponds and forest at Patch of Heaven Sanctuary in Homestead. Held Sunday, November 22 in recognition of National Gratitude Month, The Gratitude Project Picnic at Patch combines guided meditation with journaling, discussion and a shared outdoor meal.

Suzanne Jewell, the sanctuary’s chief experience officer, mindfulness meditation teacher and forest therapy guide, leads sessions examining gratitude’s relationship to optimism, personal goals and resilience. Participants will learn a “Declare It Good” journaling practice and have time to reflect and share their experiences. A light picnic lunch includes artisanal bread, olive oil, olives, hummus and fruit.

The agenda includes:

• 11–11:15 a.m.: Arrival and welcome
• 11:15–11:45 a.m.: Discussion of gratitude’s benefits
• 11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.: Guided meditation in nature
• 12:15–12:45 p.m.: Light picnic lunch
• 12:45–1 p.m.: Practicing gratitude as a tool for resilience
• 1–1:30 p.m.: Gratitude journaling and the “Declare It Good” practice
• 1:30–2 p.m.: Reflection and sharing, followed by closing