Everywhere: March 15 - 21

A few months after my dad died, I visited my mom. It was a difficult time as she opened up her heart and shared her grief. I wanted to take away her pain. My natural reaction was to offer advice to help her get through it. If I'm honest, I was uncomfortable with intense emotions and wanted to flee; however, my fledging mindful self remembered to breath. I realized my mom wasn't asking me to do anything. She wasn't asking me to fix anything. She just needed my presence. The best gift I could give her was to show up whole heartedly and simply be with her. In that moment, I understood the true gift of mindfulness. The point of a daily practice is not so much to experience a few minutes of centeredness and peace, the real benefit is when mindfulness naturally spills over into the ordinary parts of life and allows us to be our best selves.

Previously, I've gone through the mechanics of creating a daily practice. Hopefully you are already discovering the benefit of sitting quietly each day. Today, I invite you to pay attention to how mindfulness impacts the times when you are not sitting on the cushion. Practically any activity can become a practice when done mindfully.

Practice

Today I offer several micro practices. Experiment with one of these or invent your own.

Tea (or Coffee) Ceremony

As you prepare your morning cup of coffee or tea:

• Pay attention to each step of the process as you heat the water, select a mug, and prepare the coffee or tea.

• Take in the sights, smells and sensations. Taste the flavor. Sense the warmth as you swallow.

• Notice your feelings and mood.

• Offer gratitude for the farmers and all people along the way who contributed to this moment.

Engaged Listening

As you talk with a friend, a coworker, a loved one:

• Look into their eyes, notice their eye color.

• Imagine you are encountering then for the first time.

• Rather than planning your response, listen to what is being said beneath their words.

• Mirror back what you've heard for understanding.

• Recognize the tremendous gift you can offer another through mindful presence.

Leaving Work

As you shut down your computer at the end of the day:

• Check in with your breath, your body, your energy.

• Reflect on what you've accomplished and release any unfinished business to the next day.

• Shift your focus from work demands to the evening awaiting you.

• Take a few more breaths to become anchored and grounded.