Finding My Calm in the Chaos

When my dad passed away in 2008, I was drowning in grief and stress. I desperately needed something that would help me quiet my thoughts and steady my emotions. That’s when I discovered meditation, and it’s been part of my life ever since.

One of the practices that truly helped me get consistent back then was a 21-Day Deepak Chopra & Oprah Winfrey guided meditation series. I remember lying in bed, sometimes pretending to be asleep so my little kids wouldn’t interrupt, earphones in, letting those 20-minute sessions guide me out of my racing mind.

Seventeen years later, meditation is still my favorite anti-aging tool. It keeps my stress in check, helps me sleep, and gives me a sense of presence that no cream or supplement can match. The bonus? I recently convinced one of my 20-something sons to try it. He is starting with the 21-Day “Getting Unstuck” series. I found a similar one years ago. We found the episodes for free on YouTube. There isn’t a playlist, but all 21 days are there individually, labeled by day.

If you’d like to try it yourself, just search on YouTube for “21-Day Deepak Chopra Oprah Winfrey Meditation” and you should find one of these guided meditations. Here is the first episode in the series to help you get started.

The 21-Day series uses a mantra, which means “mind vehicle.” A mantra is a simple sound or phrase that helps carry your mind beyond your thoughts. As you breathe in and out while focusing on the mantra, you may notice your thoughts wander. The moment you recognize that drift, you gently bring your attention back to the mantra.

Deepak Chopra often says “In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you.” That line has stayed with me for years. It’s exactly what meditation has helped me learn to do.

Science shows that regular meditation can reduce stress hormones, improve heart-rate balance, sharpen focus, and even support healthy cellular renewal as we age. What I notice most is that meditation helps me recognize when I’m having thoughts that don’t serve me. Even when I’m not meditating, I can often pause and intentionally shift my thoughts almost as if I’m changing the channel on a television.

Oprah Winfrey once said “The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change their future by merely changing their attitude.” I find that thought pairs perfectly with what meditation has taught me. It’s shown me that we can choose what we want to focus on.

I generally meditate in the morning because it gives me energy and sets the tone for the day. Sometimes I’ll “re-dip” later in the afternoon, especially if we have an evening event or I need to recharge for the second half of the day.