It has become harder and harder to hide my grief at work. My mother passed away 3 weeks ago and it seems pretty much expected that I should be back to normal by now. After lunch i had one of those moments where I read something that reminded me and i felt an incredible pain and urge to cry. For a few moments, I concentrated on observing the pain I felt and the thoughts that were causing this physical manifestation. I let them wash over me. I felt the tears in my eyes, but tried to distance myself from joining with the mind.

This isnt mindfulness, but...This afternoon, during my evening commute, I practiced being in the present as I rode my bike to the train. I felt the wind in my hair, heard the song playing in my headphones, felt the perspiration on my chest and the way that my body shook when I rode over bumps in the pavement, and saw the crepe myrtles swaying in the wind. It only lasted for a few moments. I will continue to try each day, in the hope that I can extend my focus.