The Iowa Interstate Railroad train rumbles past our hotel a few times a day and it reminds me of the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course I took 10 years ago. One of the exercises the instructor mentioned was the train visualization mindfulness exercise. I don’t know if I remember what our instructor actually said about it, probably something like what the instructor says in a mindfulness video.
One thing I do remember is that it’s OK to notice my thoughts as train cars running through my head. The other thing is the train cars can sort of hijack me and off I go on a tangent, like a hobo hopping a freight car. And, what if also I notice the spaces between the train cars? What would that be like?
The side of my nose itches.
My left eye is tearing up.
What can I do about anything?
Are we all alone in the universe?
Why is David Attenborough’s voice so calming?
Why do I joke around so much?
Even after 10 years of mindfulness practice, I still notice my thoughts jumping around. I’m still hopping from box car to box car.
Go Retire Psychiatrist 
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