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There’s always someone saying, “well, the present moment isn’t always happy.”

In 2023, I hope you find the path to be genuine. Genuine is paved with truth, not just happy or escapism. ⁠
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True joy is made up of genuine. May we breathe deeply into fear without running away. May we sit up and take caring action, inspired by the heat of wakeful mind. We transcend our obstacles not by avoiding or bypassing, but⁠
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as a wise man once said, “the only way out is through.” ⁠
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But we have to get through—and meditation and other things (real food, community, daily exercise, meaningful relationships) will help you. ⁠

Whenever I talk about that darned present moment, there’s always someone saying, “well, the present moment isn’t always happy.”

They’re right!

But we don’t want to want to always be happy. That way madness lies, and “good vibes only” pillows stuffed with polluting planet-heating plastic.

We may not always be happy, but if we practice being present, we have the means to approach all of life—the ups, the downs—from a place of goodness and power and resiliency. Read “the Buddha’s Four New Year’s Resolutions,” and why we don’t wish “happiness” on anyone (some of us Buddhist weirdos prefer “cheerful”).