Sometimes when I meditate the time goes slowly; I’m checking the clock and wondering what’s keeping me from staying focused. Other times, I suddenly come out of meditation and find an hour has passed--and no, I wasn’t sleeping! As much as I’ve tried to figure out what the difference is, I haven’t been able to come to a conclusion. However, I’ve learned I can’t control when I have each experience. The whole examination process has taught me to be patient. Like the serenity prayer, “accept what I can’t change,” meditation has helped me relax about whatever is happening. I no longer judge my sessions as good or bad. They are what they are.

Photo by Flickr user CarbonNYC

The same thing has begun to apply to my non-meditating states. No matter what I’m going through, I see it as temporary: It's been “one of those days,” or stress has made me impatient, or this peak excitement/joy is circumstantial and will fade. Each thought and emotion has become a blip on my inner mirror.

And even better, I’ve become more patient with others. (Ask my husband!) If I can make mistakes, have a bad day, be insensitive, etc., then why can’t everyone?

I wish I knew the formula for how this change has happened. I just know I used to be hard on myself and sometimes hard on others (mostly my family, forgive me!) Meditation has taught me patience. Life has become more enjoyable, more creative and a lot more interesting.

As a mental health professional, an owner of a fitness studio, a writer and a wife, mother and grandmother, I have found meditation to be helpful in every aspect of my life. To find out about my meditation classes this fall, contact me at susanmmorales@yahoo.com or check out my websites: susanscottmorales.com and bodiesinbalancefitness.com.