Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

By Nancy Stoops, M.A., M.F.T.

Since I was 17 years of age, I have been meditating.  I think it is the healthiest and most effective way to clear one’s mind.  Meditation can be done anywhere and anytime and does not require anything but discipline and a willingness to be patient, because to achieve total meditation takes years.  I love meditation because I don’t need to use pills or alcohol to relax and quiet my mind.

Some time ago, a school district did a study with their students and the effects of daily meditation.  They found that their students were able to focus and concentrate better and in turn their grades and their test scores improved drastically.  They found their students to be less angry and the number of school infractions went down as well.  They noticed their students having a much improved mindset, being happier and more balanced. This idea could have a profound effect on students with Attention Deficient Disorder.

So take five minutes from your day and find a quiet place.  Pick one word to focus on, and just think about that word.  When other thoughts come rushing back in, go back to your word to push away the thoughts.  Start with small increments of time and then extend the time you are meditating based on your newly acquired skills.  I like the word, “peace,” as it seems to work very well for me.

I know that I’m a much more efficient human being because I have a pretty quiet mind, and I attribute that to all the years of daily meditation.  The goal of meditation is to clear your mind of all thought, acquiring total inner peace.  You will sleep better and feel much happier and more balanced.

So, do yourself a favor and start the daily practice of meditation today.  I promise if you practice consistently you will literally transform yourself and your life.  I wish you peace.

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T.  Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  She has a private practice in Diamond Bar and is currently accepting new clients; she is also a motivational speaker who can inspire your employees or group members.  Nancy runs free family support groups, including a group on loss for seniors, and groups on how to manage anger. For more information about any of these services feel free to contact her at (909) 229-0727, or via email at nancyjstoops@verizon.net.  Nancy’s books, “Midnight the Therapy Dog,” and “Live, Heal and Grow,” are available at Amazon.com.