Many, many years ago, early in my pregnancy, I confided to my doctor, “There’s something seriously wrong with me.”
Two years earlier I had quit my job and started my own word processing business. It was growing, and I was devoting a lot of time and energy to its success.
My doctor regarded me with concern and asked me to explain. I blurted out, “I’ve lost my edge! My motivation is gone. I no longer care whether I work long hours or not. What’s wrong with me? I’m just soooo laid back!“
He chuckled quietly and said, “It’s the pregnancy. Your body is flooded with progesterone, the feel-good hormone. No need to worry. You’ll be back to your Type A personality after the baby is born.” And for better or worse, he was right.
Over these past several months, my journal has been filled with similar ruminations. I’ve been wondering what happened to my drive, my stress, my productive angst. A couple weeks ago when I discovered someone had scratched my beautiful Mustang convertible in the parking lot, I thought, “Poor car. Next time I’ll park you farther away from the entrance where there aren’t so many cars.” That was it. No ranting. No rage. No swearing. Later, worried about my calm demeanor, I diagnosed myself as “apathetic. I just didn’t care any more.” I began writing in my journal: “What’s wrong with me?!?”
This morning I remembered my conversation with my OB/GYN. At nearly 67 years old, I know pregnancy is not an option.
Then it hit me: Oh! This is what peace feels like! After 18 months of daily practicing mindfulness meditation, my brain has slowly changed the way it processes events. I have gained an ability to RESPOND to circumstances, rather than simply reacting. Reacting comes from the ego and is all about protection and self-interest. Responding is a higher brain function, aligned with one’s values, integrity, kindness, and interconnectedness with others. In that moment with the car, I was able to bypass the angst and anger and go instantly to where I would have ended up eventually anyway: acceptance of what happened and taking responsibility to park differently in the future.
Instead of being stricken with apathy, I had chosen the peaceful waters of equanimity. It is a state I’ve been seeking for many months and years. I’ve read about it; I’ve thought about it; I’ve prayed about it. My meditation practice has always had a goal of increased equanimity.
Today I’m in awe and a bit amused, too. I achieved what I said I wanted, and then I didn’t recognize it. I instantly thought there was something wrong with me. What an irony!
As I write this, I know equanimity is an elusive state. My ego has had lots of experience reacting to what happens. Mindful awareness is relatively new. I will continue my meditation practice with gratitude and renewed hope.
Today I’m grateful to embrace a more peaceful state of mind, especially now that I realized there’s nothing wrong with me!
| If you’d like to explore mindful meditation, I highly recommend the 10% Happier app. It has guided meditations, short educational courses, talks, and sleep meditations that really work! You can check them out here: https://www.tenpercent.com/ or email me, and I’ll send you a free 30-Day Guest pass (no credit card needed to sign up!) And for the record, I’m pretty sure I’m at least 15% happier since I’ve started meditating regularly. |
Coach Barbie Dallmann 