Thank-You Steemfam

I am truly blown away by all the positive feedback and all the great entries I have received this week. I have met so many new liked minded people and I also see many new friendships being forged amongst you all. This was a big factor for me forming and running this contest. Of course, getting people interested in meditation was my first aim. It is fastly becoming my main focus here on steemit as I see there is a need I can help fill. The positivity in the feedback and your loving support moves me deeply. I am inspired to think bigger and find more ways to give back to you! So thank-you for that!

Real Life Use Case of Meditation

Last week was one hell of a week and I want to share how meditation saved me from life's circumstances spiraling out of control. Two weeks ago I got pulled over and was issued a traffic ticket for failing to clear all of the snow off the top of my car. A few days later I wrote a check and mailed it into to the town. Simple nothing more to it....... or so I thought.
On Thursday I was driving back to my job site, my co-worker was with me and we got pulled over by the police. When I questioned the officer as to why I was being stopped, he explained that he had ran my plates and discovered I had a warrant for my arrest! I was surprised and reassured him it must be a mistake. He took my documents and went back to his patrol car. When he returned he confirmed I indeed had an active warrant for my arrest and instructed me to exit my car and to follow him. At this point, he turned me around and placed me in handcuffs! This was a first for me and needless to say, my heart rate elevated and I was confused as to what was happening. Next, he took me to the back of his car and put me in a very tight box in the rear. I had a car accident a year or so back that left me with several herniated disks in my neck and back. When he placed me in that tight space with my arms handcuffed behind my back, my neck and shoulder where in immediate pain. As he walked back to my car to interrogate my co-worker my I started to have what I can only explain as an early onset of a panic attack. Between the loss of my personal freedom, the pain surges in my neck growing, and my confusion as to why and what was to happen next started making me feel out of control in my body. All the viral videos I watched of police officers shooting people for no good reason started replaying in my head. My heart raced even faster....the pain in my neck and back got stronger....I had an overwhelming urge to run or scream out! Steemfam I WAS IN REAL TROUBLE!!! I was stuck, trapped like a caged animal, my future unknown. My mind was racing uncontrollably! What did I do you may be wondering?
First, I moved slightly to my side to find a little comfort for my shoulder and neck which left me facing out the window. I then found a soft spot at the top of the door frame to rest my head upon. I began looking out the window and watched the tree's slowly sway in the wind. I began to get my breath back under my control. Deep breathe in....hold.....deep breathe out...hold...repeat. . I knew what I needed to do and I knew I could do it! It's a common form of meditation I learned years ago. Next,​ I knew I needed to regain control over my mind and all those scary thoughts I was having. I meditating using yet another technique I have practiced. I imagined myself sitting on a river's edge each thought or fear I would have I would watch it float down the river. Simply watch it float with no attachment. I was actually meditating in the some of most unreasonable of circumstances. With my breath under control, my mind followed, soon thereafter my emotions calmed. I had regained my personal power. The greatest power each one of us has is​ the power over our minds and emotions. I was grateful in that moment for my meditation practice​. It saved me from who knows what mentally and physically.
I'm sharing this story with you to inspire you to meditate or meditate more. You never know when it will be your greatest ally against life's curve balls. Life is always throwing us curve balls big and small. I want you to know that we have no control over them but we do have control over our minds. That is life's real test. How will you react when life throws a curve ball?

What I Learned

For those of you who want to know the why and what of it all, here is how it happened. Remember that traffic ticket I got two weeks early? That measly $54 summons I mailed in. Apparently, the police officer who issued the ticket FORGOT to check the box that says "Court Appearance Mandatory". So I missed my court date and the judge issued a bench warrant for my arrest. Initially, when I learned this I was outraged! Can you blame me? I began to think of all the ways I will sue them, all the self-righteous things I will say to the judge and officer for putting me in this unbarable situation. But long ago I learned one of greatest gifts you can give to yourself is forgiveness​! When we forgive someone we actually release​ all the anger and pent-up​ negative​ emotions we carry in our minds and bodies. These can and often cause us harm and dis-ease. It's akin to swallowing a poisonous pill when we trying to hurt someone else. It makes no sense right!? So I choose to forgive the officer and judge for me and in a way for you Steemfa​m. This whole incident​ actually gaves me a great way to show you the real power of meditation and forgivness! Leaving you with a prfound sense of respect and gratitude.

And The Winners Are:

1. @eaglespirit
2. @kp138
3. @yogajill
4. @riverflows
5. @thelovejunkie
6. @sherylneil
7. @jamal.jeje
8. @c77hall
9. @khiera
10. @lavanyalakshman
    Thank-you to everybody who entered....my job picking the winners was very difficult and I must say you all are winners in my mnd! Please keep a look out for my next contest and please consider entering it.

Special Shout Out

I wanted to talk a moment to personally​ thank @jerrybanfield and his @budgets ( a project of supporting people who are trying grow the community here on steemit). I urge you to check him out if you don't already know him. Get creative on ways you can grow our steemit community and reach out to receive help from @budgets! Jerry sending you love from me and the Steefam at large! You big heart and bright soul haven't gone unnoitced!