meditatio at the water's edge

So I was driving to a church board meeting tonight, and I was noticing a great deal of anxiety and not a little anger in my heart. I didn't want those things to be a part of who I am, so I began a little breathing prayer exercise. Here is basically how it developed for me...

I notice anger and contempt in my heart. So as I exhale I ask God to sweep those attitudes and thoughts from my heart.
I breathe out...anger, contempt, destructive thoughts.

Now as I breathe in, I invite God to replace those with His reality of peace and gentleness toward all.
I breathe in...love, forgiveness, gentleness, creative thoughts.

I notice other destructive thoughts dwelling there...So I exhale...rage, malice, anxiety, fear.

Then I inhale...peace, goodness, humility, purity.

A woman in the car ahead of me is driving too slow...I recognize my impatience...I exhale impatience, hurry, pride.

I inhale...patience, trust, God's presence.

I continue this exercise until I notice that I am exhaling 'toxic fumes.' So I imagine myself becoming so filled with 'good air' that I begin to breathe out the goodness I have inhaled.

I exhale onto the world around me...peace, gentleness, kindness...desiring the good of each person I see.

I inhale from the Father His goodness, love, patience, humility, trust...and exhale these things. I imagine myself in possible situations where I may meet those with whom I am not at peace...I exhale on them peace, patience, goodness.

And so on for the entire twenty minute drive...inhale...exhale...all a prayer to God inviting Him to overtake my heart.

Guess what? It worked...each time I began to sense anxiety or malicious thoughts, I would begin the exercise, sincerely asking God to change who I am...to make me into the kind of person who is not overcome by anger or anxiety or any number of destructive thoughts...to make me into the kind of person who is so hyperventilated by grace that all I exhale is grace.

It was one way I found to practice "off-the-spot."