How Meditation Changed My Life and How It Can Change Yours
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How Meditation Changed My Life and Taught Me the Power of My Breath
I still remember the first time I tried meditating.
I was in high school, sitting on the floor of my bedroom, surrounded by posters on the walls and homework scattered nearby. I had no idea what I was doing. I simply closed my eyes and focused on breathing deeply in and out.
At the time, I did not understand the depth of the practice. I did not know what breathwork was or what it meant to be present. I was not trying to heal or transform anything. I was just curious and searching for a sense of calm.
Yet something about those quiet moments stayed with me.
They planted a seed that would slowly grow into one of the most grounding and life-changing practices of my adult life.
Today, meditation is something I return to every morning for about thirty minutes before my day truly begins. This ritual has become as essential to me as eating breakfast or brushing my teeth. It sets the tone for how I show up in the world, how I communicate, and how I respond to challenges.
Meditation has shaped not only how I feel, but who I am becoming.
The Night I Learned the Power of My Breath
When I was a teenager in the 1980s, I had an experience that has stayed with me ever since.
I was leaving a dance club in Canada on a freezing winter night, wearing an outfit that clearly was not meant for the cold. Let’s be honest, it was not exactly dance-club appropriate if it involved a parka. As my friends and I walked back to the car, the cold air hit my lungs suddenly and intensely.
My chest tightened. My breathing became shallow. Before I fully understood what was happening, I was having an asthma attack.
The most frightening part was that I did not have my rescue inhaler with me.
I sat in the backseat of the car, coughing, panicking, and trying desperately not to show how terrified I truly was. In that moment, the world felt very small. Everything narrowed down to the sound of my breath and the fear that I might not be able to catch it again.
Instinctively, I closed my eyes.
I did not know anything about meditation at the time, but somehow I focused all of my attention on my breath. I inhaled gently through my nose and exhaled slowly through pursed lips, allowing each breath to stretch a little longer than the last.
I concentrated on staying calm because panic only made everything worse.
Little by little, my breathing began to ease. The tightness softened. The attack passed.
I came back to myself.
I still think about that night often. It was one of the first moments I realized how powerful mindful breathing can be. I did not have the language for it back then, but that experience became the beginning of my understanding of how the mind and breath work together, especially for someone living with asthma.
That night planted a seed that would later grow into my meditation practice.
Meditation, Asthma, and Learning Not to Panic
I want to be very clear. I am not claiming or suggesting that meditation is a cure for asthma, because it is not.
Medical treatment is essential. However, meditation has helped me manage my symptoms in meaningful and supportive ways.
When I focus on slow, steady breathing, I become more aware of how my body responds to stress. I notice how tension affects my lungs and how anxiety can make symptoms feel more intense. Over time, meditation has helped me stay calmer during moments when my breathing feels tight or strained.
Mindful breathing teaches something incredibly important for people like me.
It teaches us not to panic.
It reminds us to slow down and take control of the one thing we can influence in the moment, which is our breath. The calmness that meditation builds throughout the day helps reduce the anxiety that often makes asthma symptoms feel worse.
By staying grounded and centered, I feel more capable of handling physical challenges when they arise.
Meditation will never replace medical care, but it has become a powerful supportive tool that strengthens both my mind and my body. It has increased my awareness, lowered my stress levels, and given me a sense of control that I did not always have growing up with asthma.
The Power of a Grounded Morning
One of the most profound benefits of meditation is the sense of grounding it creates.
When I sit in meditation, my breath becomes steady and my thoughts soften. This grounded start influences everything that follows. Instead of rushing into the day already overwhelmed, I step into it with clarity and intention.
A grounded mind is more than a peaceful feeling. It is a strong foundation for emotional regulation.
I naturally pour a lot of energy into the world around me. I love connecting with people and leading with empathy. But that same openness can become overwhelming when life gets noisy or demanding.
Meditation helps me return to myself. It centers my emotions and keeps my energy aligned with what truly matters. It allows me to give from a place of steadiness rather than depletion.
How Meditation Shapes the Way We React
One of the most powerful effects of meditation is the way it shapes our reactions.
When the mind is calm, we gain a pause between stimulus and response. In that pause, we have choice. We speak with more clarity, listen with more patience, and act with greater compassion.
Meditation has helped me:
Stay present during difficult conversations
Respond thoughtfully instead of reacting emotionally
Navigate conflict with more awareness
Make decisions from a grounded place
As someone who loves supporting others, staying emotionally balanced is essential. Meditation strengthens that ability. It keeps empathy from turning into overwhelm and helps me remain steady so I can genuinely support the people and causes I care about.
The Long-Term Benefits of a Meditation Practice
The benefits of meditation extend far beyond moments of calm.
Research shows that consistent meditation can:
Reduce stress and anxiety
Improve sleep quality
Increase self-awareness
Enhance focus and concentration
Support emotional resilience
Boost creativity
Over time, meditation trains the mind to remain steady even when life becomes unpredictable. It teaches us how to meet challenges with curiosity rather than fear.
For me, meditation has been a guiding force. It has helped me understand myself more deeply and approach my life with intention. It has shaped how I communicate, how I handle challenges, and how I connect with the world.
I truly believe this practice can support anyone who is willing to begin.
Why You Can Start Today
If you have ever been curious about meditation, consider this your invitation.
You do not need special knowledge, expensive tools, or a perfect space. You only need a few minutes and a willingness to try.
Start small.
Sit comfortably. Breathe. Notice your thoughts without judging them. Allow yourself to simply be present.
Those small moments add up. Over time, they become a habit that can quietly transform your life.
Meditation changed my life, and it can support yours too. The calm, clarity, and grounded energy you cultivate each day shape how you live, how you grow, and how you show up for others.
That is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give yourself.
Staying Connected and Supported
If you ever need support with your meditation practice, please know that you are not alone. I am a certified meditation practitioner, and I genuinely love helping people begin, deepen, and maintain a practice that feels supportive and sustainable.
Whether you are brand new to meditation and empowered living, or returning to it after time away, I am here to guide you and encourage you.
You can also stay connected with me on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and I invite you to listen to the podcast on Spotify. I share guidance, inspiration, and practical tools to help you live a more intentional and grounded life.
If meditation and mindful living feel supportive for you, you are welcome to join my email list for monthly guidance, meditation tips, journaling prompts, and gentle practices to help you stay grounded and connected.
