To be upset about a thought is to be upset about nothing

“Much depends on meeting my problems head on, calmly estimating their real character, refusing to exaggerate them, and then drowning them out with an inspiring thought.” (ODAT, 9 April)

The past is not here.

If I’m troubled about the past, I’m really troubled by a present thought about the past.

The thought has no more innate significance than the statements ‘broccoli is green’ or ‘broccoli is pink’.

When I’m reacting to a thought, two things are happening:

I’m not responding to the moment.

I’m treating a thought like an experience.

This is a double crime.

The inspiring thought reframes.

But to stay in thought misses the point.

The point is to come back to the moment.