10 Years of Meditation
October 1, 2026 marks 10 years since I started meditating.
I was speaking at a conference when I realized the date and how long I had been on this journey!!! Wow, 10 years! When I look back, meditation didn’t just teach me how to sit quietly or focus on my breath. It changed the landscape of my brain and ultimately, the way I live my life.
I am less judgmental.
I pause more.
I respond instead of react.
I am closer to God.
I notice the small moments.
I spend more time in the present instead of worrying about what already happened or what might happen next.
Most importantly, I have learned to live and lead with greater intention.
The crazy thing is, I never started meditating with the intention of teaching it. I wasn’t trying to start a business, lead groups, work with athletes or teach others how to quiet their minds. I was simply trying to learn a new way to calm my own nervous system and feel better. And somehow, one small personal practice grew into something I never could have imagined. Ten years later, I get to teach meditation, mindfulness and mental performance to athletes, teams, students, coaches, businesses and communities. Sometimes the things we begin for ourselves become something we are meant to share with others.
This past year has looked different. After a major medical emergency and ongoing nerve issues on the left side of my face, I had to put my traditional meditation practice on hold. Sitting quietly with those sensations simply hasn't been possible. But one of the greatest lessons these 10 years have taught me is that meditation is a practice, but mindfulness is a way of living.
So, I keep practicing. I practice gratitude. I notice what is good. I come back to the present moment. I pay attention to my thoughts, my words, my reactions and how I want to show up in my life. And I know that soon enough, I’ll find my way back to my meditation cushion too.
I am also incredibly grateful for all of the teachers who have guided me along the way. Each one has taught me something different, challenged me to grow in ways I didn’t know possible and helped shape both my personal practice and the teacher I have become. I truly believe we are always both the student and the teacher, and I am grateful for every person who has been part of this journey. Specifically Sarah, Avianna, Cheryl and David.
So here we are, ten years later, and my heart is overflowing with gratitude!!! On October 1, 2016, I had no idea that simply learning to quiet my mind would change the direction of my life. What started as a way to find calm became a way of living, leading, loving and serving others. Meditation changed the landscape of my brain, but even more than that, it changed the landscape of my life.
Peace and Love- Jodi
