Are you stressed out? Do you worry about your physical health? Your
mental health? Your spiritual health? Do you wish you had less stress
and anxiety in your life and more peace and harmony?
Well, I felt all of these things a few years ago and I thought I was
going to go crazy or die. I was working 10-12 hours a day, 6 days a
week at a very stressful job. I had a wife and two kids at home who
wanted, and deserved, my time and attention. I had a mortgage, two car
notes, tuition, medical bills, overdue taxes, and credit card debt
coming out of my ears!
I was running nonstop through my days trying to take care of everything
and make everybody happy but I never had enough time to take care of
myself. In bed at night, my heart would pound from stress and anxiety.
I worried about my job, my marriage, the kids, the bills, the house, my
heath, and even my sanity.
My health was of particular concern. I felt tired all the time. I was
gaining weight. My back was always hurting. Climbing even one flight of
stairs left me breathless and dizzy. I felt like I was falling apart
physically, mentally, and spiritually.
I was really worried about myself but I didn’t know what to do. I tried
the gym, several fad diets, home exercise machines, and even time
management programs. I had about the same results with each new thing I
tried. They all seemed to help at first, but I just couldn’t stick with
any of them for very long. I now realize that they didn’t work because
they were all short term fixes to a long term problem. I had to change
my life.
I knew I had a lot to learn, but I couldn’t afford to buy a bunch of
books and everything at the library seemed to be outdated. So I made a
habit of stopping at the local Barns and Noble on the way home from
work each day. I read everything I could find on stress, anxiety,
health, diet, and self-improvement. I felt like a cheat just sitting
there reading the books without buying them but nobody seemed to mind.
I usually bought a cup of coffee or tea just to ease my conscience a
little.
I read a lot of great books with wonderful insights on improving one’s
life. Not surprisingly, one subject came up over and over; meditation.
I had tried to meditate several years earlier but had gotten frustrated
and quit before really giving it a chance. But, I was desperate and
determined to try anything that might help.
One book in particular said, “Start right now!” I was too embarrassed
to sit in the book store and meditate, but I didn’t want to waste
another moment. So I went out to my car, adjusted the seat into a
comfortable position, set my watch alarm for 30 minutes, then closed my
eyes and started counting my breaths.
That turned out to be a defining moment in my life. Of course, I didn’t
have instant success. Mediation takes practice and can be very
difficult at times. But making the decision to incorporate meditation
into my everyday life changed everything for me.
I continued to stop at the book store each night for a while and split
my time between reading and meditating. Nothing else had changed in my
life. I still had a stressful job, my marriage, my kids, my house, and
bills but, somehow, I was feeling better—less stressed—even more
energetic!
No, it didn’t magically solve all of the woes in my life. But once I
started feeling more relaxed and less stressed, I was better able to
focus on the other things I needed to do to become mentally,
physically, and spiritually healthy.
I soon started a daily meditation practice at home. I also began a
reasonable exercise plan that included walking, a light workout, and
yoga. These things combined with eating right (most of the time), have
literally changed my life. I’m now happier, healthier, and at peace
with the world around me.
I hope this story inspires some of you to take that first step and
begin incorporating meditation into your own life. This is the perfect
time to make the decision. What better New Years resolution than to
change your life for the better? There are numerous meditation methods
and practices out there and a myriad of resources available to you in
book stores and on the web. I’m sure you can find something that works
for you.
In fact, I’ve compiled a host of information on mediation, relaxation, yoga, and other related subjects at my website: www.imcalmer.com. I would also be very happy to share my own experience. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at mikes@imcalmer.com if you have any questions or comments.
In peace,
Mike Suzuki
