It is SO nice to have resources like the internet. Were it not for such things as websites, books, places like this, and most of it accessable through the internet, I would be lost! Being able to access all the suttas, books from buddhist publishers, etc., has helped my progress immensely. Words are not enough. Because of these resources available, meditation has progressed further, and faster than otherwise.
To 'see' that progress from an outside perspective can be difficult if not impossible. Thankfully, there are others around me to keep me 'aware' of the changes that have come about through practice. A few days ago now, I was able to ride, an hour away, to a long time friend's house for a visit. During our lengthy talks, he looked at me and said, "Man, you have changed so much you are a totally different person now than the last time we talked." Which was about a year ago. It became apparent, he said, that I was really genuine about all this stuff. I was again surprised that someone would say such a thing. So, according to about 4 or 5 long time friends and acquaintences, the changes from all the practice is paying off.
Which brings me to an incident that happened on my way down to said friend's house. When i took off on the bike, the rear tire felt a little soft, but not bad. About a third of the way down, the rear tire was worse. So I pulled into a gas station that had an air station. The machine wouldn't operate but it ate the quarters! So, when I tell the workers there, they say I can go back up the road to another station that has air. When I return to the bike, the rear tire is completely flat! Oh boy

. So, call the friend and he prepares to come help. This means I have around an hour wait now. So, I just hang out by the bike waiting. During this time, an employee of a car dealership across the street pulled in for gas, saw me and the bike, and asked if I could use some help. He brings an air tank back for the rear tire. Lol, he forgot to fill it. So, with the rear only half full, I ride after him to the dealership where he fills the rear tire up. All for free and with much appreciation.

I call friend and he turns around back home as I get back on and head out.
Now, during this whole thing, I was actually quite surprised that I was not gettting upset, angry, or anything else except a small level of frustration. This whole time I was trying to practice all that I have read and practiced in meditation sessions. It was rather strange to see how my mind and emotions were quite distanced from the usual patterns. It seems the 'usual' patterns are no longer 'usual'. What a change! It actually gave me joy and happiness that things like this no longer hold such sway anymore. Words are not enough to express the changes that were seen in the mind and emotions. What has been of interest lately, through books and practices, is letting go of things. It seems to be working. SO much more could be said but why. Most know what I'm talking about.