A canvas of a clay pot, soil and seeds along with a creative mind at LBCC’s first “Planting with Intentions” workshop inside the Pride Lounge space at the LAC brought opportunities for expression, building community and planting seeds of hope on Thursday, May 21.
Paint and glitter were among a few of the materials available for students to design and create their own unique base to plant their seeds of hope.
Setting an intention is using the energy you put behind something and holding space for it to manifest in someone’s future.
“My intention with this event is for students to be able to feel a little more empowered, to feel like they can put some energy into what they want to manifest,” said Christian Garcia, the student affairs program coordinator.
More money, more independence, more freedom were just a few of the ideas to set an intention on during the potting process to help focus the positive energy to manifest success.
LBCC students were offered a mystery package of seeds that will eventually develop into a small garden, reminding them that it needs nurturing and attention.
Money signs were the main symbol on the pot of LBCC student, Samira Olvera, who is currently working four days a week, but is trying to get down to three to have more time at school.
“So, I just want another day off. Spend more time at school and more money,” Olvera said.
Other designs included bright and shiny glitter to capture the eye of the gardener daily.
LBCC student, Vianey Martinez, was rubbing the planter pot in shimmering pink and green glitter.
“I wanted it to be shiny, so I don’t forget to water it every day. It will attract my attention every day,” Martinez said.
Letters and special messages that serve as daily affirmations will be painted on the clay pot to help Martinez stay positive on a daily basis.
The LBCC Pride Lounge hosted a community building event on Thursday, May 21 at LAC. Students gathered around the table to plant some seeds and bond over their experiences and intentions in the queer space moving forward. (Destiny Castillo)
The Pride Lounge has been hosting activities regularly since the spring semester started, building a growing community and collaboration. It’s offered a safe and comfortable space for students to feel included and welcomed.
College is a place to figure out who you are and be able to express yourself in many different ways and find that community that really fosters your particular interests.
“I think that my intentions are to surround myself with things that make me happy and to have more beauty in my life,” said LBCC student, Krys Achrem, while creating a planter pot.
Being in a space where one feels safe and vulnerable was very important to many at the event as the activity provided a space to have open conversations with intention as the guiding force.
“I’m not going to fit in with everybody else and that’s going to be okay,” Achrem said.
Ideas for intentions were about graduating from LBCC, being proud of who you are, or just developing more confidence in yourself.
The idea of taking both energetic and physical care of a plant will require students to water and nurture the seeds every day in order to help them germinate and grow.
“We are physically planting seeds. And so every seed that we plant, we’re going to have the students put an intention behind that seed,” Garcia said.
The Pride Lounge has been offering workshops all throughout May and has upcoming ones.
Upcoming activities include a study event on Tuesday from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. that will include an herbalist who will share ideas for herbal blends for teas, bath bombs and essential oils.
The event “Beyond the Binary: Understanding Trans & Nonbinary LBCC Students’ Lived Experiences” is on Thursday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. with lunch provided.
Garcia shared how pleased he is that students are coming to the Pride Lounge and finding comfort in the community.
“We are really seeing students returning and coming back very excited and getting to know each other more. Seeing a lot of students be more vulnerable and let their guards down, sharing more about their journeys and their experiences, it’s really beautiful to see that connection,” Garcia said.
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