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I had the opportunity to spend time at a treatment facility last week, speaking with different groups of patients. And I want to offer a special shout-out to the patients and staff at Gateway Foundation in Springfield, Illinois — thank you for your warmth, your openness, and the gracious way you welcomed me in.
Every time I’m invited into a place like that, I’m reminded what a privilege it is to share even a small piece of my story. But it also does something else — it turns me inward. It nudges me to pause and look back at my own journey: where I started, what’s changed, and how this path continues to unfold in ways I never could’ve predicted.
One of the things I talked about was my experience with Recovery Dharma, and how meditation hasn’t just supported my recovery — it has shaped the quality of my life as a whole. And I’ll be honest: sometimes I take the impact of meditation for granted. It’s become such a steady part of my day that I don’t always stop to notice what it’s actually doing for me. So when someone asks how meditation has changed my life, I often have to pause and really think about it. Preparing for these conversations always brings me back to the core ways this practice has shaped me.
And while I’m often asked to speak about meditation through the lens of my recovery journey, the truth is this:
The benefits aren’t exclusive to those of us on this path.
Meditation supports anyone who wants a little more presence, a little more clarity, and a little more steadiness — anyone who wants to react less out of habit and respond more from a mindful place — in a world that constantly pulls us in every direction.
When I really boil it down, the impact of meditation in my life comes down to two main areas:
1. LEARNING TO STAY IN THE PRESENT.
My mind is excellent at time travel. I can have one foot planted squarely in tomorrow — worrying, predicting, bracing for things that may never happen — and the other foot stuck in yesterday, replaying regrets or moments I can’t change. Living like that guarantees suffering.
Meditation has taught me how to put both feet in today.
The breath has become one of my greatest anchors. When I really pay attention, I’m reminded of something so simple but so profound:
You can’t breathe in a future moment, and you can’t breathe in a past moment.
Every breath only happens right now.
That’s why the breath is so often used as an anchor in meditation — it’s always here. It can only be experienced in the present moment. So when I return to my breath, it pulls me out of tomorrow’s anxiety and yesterday’s heaviness. It reminds me that the present moment — this one, right here — is the only place where life is actually happening.
2. REALIZING I DON’T HAVE TO FOLLOW EVERY THOUGHT.
I joke that I probably would’ve made a great screenwriter, because I can take one single thought and spin it into a full 2½-hour blockbuster movie in my mind. Plot twists, drama, catastrophe — all fiction.
And most of those stories never come true.
Meditation has helped me notice when those thoughts start rolling without feeling obligated to jump on for the ride. Just because my mind creates a story doesn’t mean I have to live inside it.
These practices don’t promise perfection. Life still shows up with its bumps and turns. But they help me meet each day with a little more clarity, a steadier heart, and a deeper sense of presence.
And for me, that has made all the difference.
If you feel called, you might pause for a moment — maybe even right now — and simply notice your own breath. Notice where your mind wants to run, and gently invite it back to this moment. You don’t have to do it perfectly. You just have to be here, for this breath… and then the next one.
2 Responses
I need direction on meditation starting from the beginning to learn to meditate has been difficult for me can you please send me some information to help me gain momentum.
Hello! I’m definitely not an “expert” in meditation, but I’m happy to share what has helped me get started.
For me, guided meditations were a great entry point. You can search for “guided meditation” and find an endless number of options, but I personally began with the app Insight Timer. They offer a free version with a huge library, along with a premium version if you ever want more structure. I started with short sessions and explored different topics until I found what resonated.
The biggest thing I’ve learned is that there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to meditate. The practice is simply sitting, noticing your mind, and gently coming back to your breath. And your mind will wander—that’s completely normal. When it does, just guide your attention back without judgment. Breath-focused or beginner meditations can be especially grounding when you’re starting out.
This is just what has worked for me, but I hope it’s helpful. Thank you so much for reaching out, and for following along!