This year I was lucky enough to be a counselor at a spectacular summer camp for a week. While there, I had very little time for rest and an even smaller portion of alone time. How would I spend said time? By myself, in the peace and quiet. Technically, that's exactly what I did.

I decided that I would go outside and setup my eno for the break that I was provided. I then would see that my fellow counselors were congregated around a tree doing Lord knows what. I went over there and saw everybody was doing what I intended to do... relax. My friend Hannah asked if we wanted to meditate. I, of course, did not respond, because if you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all. A group of about six counselors followed her to an open area that was still in my field of vision. I decided that it'd be a good time for a nap since I believed meditation to be a hoax and nothing productive ever came out of it. After I was finished with my nap, I heard some of the counselors raving on how amazing Hannah's meditation was. How they felt so relaxed, not necessarily tired though. The thought was transfixed into my head and I realized that I had missed my chance to try something new. How could I tell my twenty kids to try new things, when I was afraid to try something new myself? I then saw Hannah walking up and knew this was my chance. I asked her to do another session because I had missed the first one. Some of the other counselors joined me and said that they also wanted to try it. She enthusiastically said "yes" in a kind voice. I was ready, but still had my suspicions.

She led us to the same open area as the last session and told us to get comfortable, whether that be lying down or sitting up. We could close our eyes or keep them open if we would like. I quickly realized that this was a activity that allowed for you to be as willing as you want to be, nothing was forced. I decided to lie on my back and close my eyes. She then, as if she was reading from some script, started speaking in a calming and disarming tone. The first step I remember is her telling me to visualize my breath. As I did so, I started noticing my breathing pattern. The rhythmic motion and my chest filling up with air and releasing. My lungs expanding, my chest growing, and then a sweet release. As she continued to speak, I felt alone, but at the same time, surrounded by people that I loved. I felt my presence in this world, but also how small I was in this titanic universe and how all my problems were even smaller. As the melodic voice continued to put me into a daze, I felt y stress drain out of my body like drops out of a faucet. She then ended the session and told everybody that they were free to get up. Nobody did. We all stayed on the ground for at least an extra five minutes. After we then decided to get up, we all looked at each other like we had no idea what just happened to all of us.

I was awestruck. I now use a recording of said meditation to relax or just clear my mind. The lesson learned from this experience was not that mediation is awesome and everyone should try it, even though they should, but that we should not close ourselves up from new experiences based off of prejudged thoughts on the subject. When we put up on own barriers, we limit our own greatness and restrict ourselves from something that we could love. So, I challenge you to try something that you believed to be stupid, pointless, or a downright waste of your time. Do not let yourself be your own worst enemy.