How do I process grief at work without losing professional credibility?

Mirabai knew something about this—she moved through the world as a saint while loving fiercely, grieving openly, and refusing to perform respectability for anyone. Here's what that teaches us: grief and professionalism aren't opposites. Your grief is real. Your work matters. Both can exist. The examined heart—Mirabai's gift—means noticing what you're actually feeling rather than what you think you should feel. At work, this might look like: taking the bathroom break you need, being honest with your manager about a difficult season without oversharing, letting your work quality speak for itself even on hard days. Professional credibility doesn't come from appearing fine. It comes from showing up, doing the work, and being honest about your limits. "I'm working through something right now, and I might need flexibility on X" is stronger than pretending you're okay. You don't have to perform wholeness. You just have to be real—and reliable with what you can give. Mirabai's devotion wasn't to an image of herself; it was to something true. That's where your credibility lives too.