Love Your Family.

I am someone who really enjoys meditating. I do it on a regular basis, at least 3 times a week. I have practiced many types of meditation including, Mindfulness meditation, Lovingkindness meditation, Insight meditation, Chakras meditation and the basic form of meditation, called Tonglen. They all have certain aspects that they focus on, all dealing with yourself, but for instance, in Lovingkindness meditation, one practices opening his or her heart to the pain of all beings and wishing them well. As one slowly breathes in and out, thoughts such as, "May you be free of suffering.", "May you be happy.", "May you love and be loved.", "May you find the healing that you seek.", and "May you find peace." are supposed to be said, allowing your heart to connect. After you complete this part, then you are supposed to move to yourself and be aware that you have felt pain, and ache and suffering and begin the whole meditation all over, but this time repeating everything in terms of yourself. "May I be free of suffering.", "May I be happy.", "May I love and be loved.", "May I find the healing that I seek.", and "May I find peace.". These practices can be so difficult and hard to really grasp, especially when you are first learning. That is why I have come to love, what is called, Walking meditation. 
I really enjoy the walking meditation. I am a conscious walker, I often watch my surroundings, from my mom telling me since I was a little kid, to always be aware of what is around me, but also because I like to see other living things that surround me. I honestly glow with happiness when I look outside and am able to walk back to the dorms and breathe in fresh air. I do it often, walk with my head turning every which way, looking up high at the squirrels in the branches, looking in front of me at the other seemingly unknowing students rushing to class, looking at my feet as they crunch the red and gold leaves that just floated to the ground. I am always seeing new things, a tree I didn't realize was the size of a three story building, a chipmunk that has made it's home beneath the dorm steps. It is almost startling, sometimes, when I realize that I just noticed something like that three story tree for the first time, when it is at least 100 times my size and has resided where it is, since before our university was even created. And all it takes to see the tree, or anything else for that matter, is a pair of wandering eyes, conscious wandering eyes; but once this is recognized, the possibilities of discovery are endless. Once I noticed the freedom I had when looking around me, I took full advantage of it. I now find myself meditating as I walk to and from class. I stay present, in the moment, breathing in rich air, and exhaling from the deepest parts of my lungs. Each morning I am excited about what I will find outside of our dorm doors, anything is possible. The trips to and from class are definitely the best. They give just enough time to get in the moment and see what God blessed our Earth with. Especially after meditation, I feel reborn and have no worries. I feel like I'm looking through a new set of eyes. Everything seems so new and fresh and vibrant, even on a rainy day. I begin to crack a smile as I step into my new world, the ground feels inviting and the sky is my limit. I feel rejuvenated and the earth and nature around me also takes on that feeling. Meditation is my outlet and it lets me appreciate where I live and what I live with. I recently began thinking of nature as part of my family and I am so grateful that I have the conscience and open mind to see it as it is, and see all the beauty and inspiration that it brings to my life.