The changes to my meditation practice I discussed last week definitely helped. Taking time in the middle of a hectic day to re-collect myself was beneficial for not just that moment, but for the rest of that day. Increasing the time I spent meditating also helped me reach a steady mind. The best way I can think to convey this is with a story.
My Now Weirdest Travel Story
I spent some time visiting my family in Florida this past week, and it was certainly a great time. Like all good things, it came to an end, and I found myself boarding my early morning flight. My trip back was a series of three connecting flights, all with a pretty tight window to hop on the next. If you’ve ever travelled, you can probably see where this story is going.
My second flight left a few minutes late, causing a missed final connection. While this may not seem too bad, those few minutes led to an additional fourteen hours before I found myself at home.
As the plane of my second flight was making it’s way to the gate, other passengers around me worried about making their connections as well. Anxiety started to build up, and I was worrying with them. Taking a moment, I closed my eyes, took a few deep breaths, and accepted the fact that there wasn’t anything I could really do in this moment.
A later flight was set to get me back to Dubuque a few hours later, so I enjoyed my time at the airport. There is something about long layovers that I enjoy. My only responsibility is to get to one spot with fifteen to thirty minute window. This gave me time to play some video games, read, and just walk around the terminal aimlessly. Finally, it was time to board.
But Wait There’s More
As you might expect, this flight didn’t go according to plan either. Due to fog, the plane re-routed to LaCrosse, WI a very small airport with little to do. I used this extra time to meditate, and it was a nice way to roll with the craziness of the day.
At the end of the day, I rode a party bus with eight other passengers who stuck around through it all. Most others rented cars or found a way out otherwise. I found myself laughing at the hilarity of the whole thing.
Awareness as Philosophy
I believe that my ability to laugh at what some might call frustrating travel problems comes from Stoic philosophy. I’ve written before about Stoicism and how it has shaped perspective to the world around us.
The practice of meditation is a core tenant of the Stoics. Regular meditation has sharpened my ability to view situations. I notice when my negative emotions start to take the reigns. Simply taking a moment to breathe can often let the emotions pass. The point isn’t to sweep these emotions under the rug or bury them down, but to recognize them and let them go. I still feel anxious, angry, or sad, but I move on from it before long.
Trying Out Before Buying In 