Things are different

One benefit of my new lifestyle is exposure to different people, places, and experiences. Although I traveled a lot while working, my experience was primarily limited to a relative narrow group of people (i.e., professionals) and places (conference rooms and cities where company and client offices were located). Don't get me wrong; I traveled a lot, including all 50 states and multiple countries. However, I was typically on a mission, rushed, and rarely present.

I still travel a lot but now I deal more with non-professionals (e.g., store clerks, campsite/hotel host/front desk, gas station attendants, fitness center greeters, auto/truck/rv shop service people, etc. I now notice the people I interact with more than I used to. I'm not saying one group of people is any better or more interesting than the other; indeed, I find people from all walks of life more similar than different - most are just trying to survive in their own way. The difference now is that I've changed; I'm more aware.

I occasionally still experience stress and anxiety (e.g., driving in congested traffic); however, this type of stress is miniscule compared to when I was working. Also, my meditation practice helps me manage stress and anxiety by bringing me back to the present and reminding me how insignificant daily issues (e.g., like being cutoff by another driver, long grocery store lines, being put on hold, etc.) really are. Still a long way from 100% but more frequently I'm aware that the stress or anxiety I used to think was caused by daily activities, other people, or work are instead just thoughts and emotions generated by the mind when I'm not present. I choose whether to just observe or to engage.