For so many of us, this is a difficult time. I find the Buddha’s teaching on living in the present moment to be so helpful. My own hopes and fears get me into trouble and create great suffering for me, and consequently others. Living in the story of how it should have been, and now, how it’s going to be, creates heartbreak.

How it actually is right now is the answer to suffering and heartbreak. So, when I launch myself off into the future, I ask myself. “What’s true in this very moment?” And I can calm down. I remember where I am and what I value. I remember that we are all connected. Not just some of us, but all of us are connected. When I remember our inter-beingness I can focus my heart on loving-kindness and compassion for us all.

Hope is all about the future… it’s not about the present moment. Thich Nhat Hanh wrote, “Hope is important, because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today. But that is the most that hope can do for us—make some hardship lighter. When I think deeply about the nature of hope, I see something tragic. Since we cling to our hope in the future, we do not focus our energies and capabilities on the present moment.”

What a lovely teaching. I’m following this today.

He also wrote, “Do not maintain anger or hatred… Do not utter words that can create discord and cause the community to break.” Instead of anger and hatred, I am deliberately, intentionally maintaining an open heart to all beings, and watching my speech so that I don’t cause greater division.

Buddha said, “Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal law.”

Love is the answer.

I’m following this today, too.