We're conditioned to constantly focus on getting through our day-- fix it, change it, do it already! So meditating or practicing just being helps us settle down and respond more wisely to situations and relationships. A helpful analogy is to think of our life like one of those snow globes. Usually, our thoughts, emotions, angstiness and reactions to whatever is happening shake that thing our life up. We can't see a thing, we are in a whirlwind! 

When you turn your attention inward and rest on your breath or a chosen anchor, you're allowing the snow globe/mind to chill. There's a break in the storm and the snowflakes naturally settle to the bottom. Cue Jimmy Cliff singing, "I can see clearly now..." Of course, this takes time and won't happen immediately or forever. Still, when you glimpse into the snow globe and see the beautiful landscape, you also tend to appreciate that snow, notice the contours of the landscape more, and feel much lighter within your environment/mind. (Note, this is true, and  I may be trying to convince myself that I love Maine in January!). One thing that's been said is there's nothing to believe about meditation or its benefits. It's about coming to experience it and finding out for yourself. Consider yourself invited!