“Your Daily Dose” is a quick two minute read packed with bite-sized wisdom from all the great teachers. But you could also choose to turn it into something more… a powerful daily practice for personal growth. Give it a try!
A message from today’s meditation:
Not being present always means that we are out of alignment.
Out of alignment with what? – Out of alignment with life itself, with reality, with what IS.
When we’re not being present, when we’re not facing this moment exactly as it is, then some (or a lot) of our energy is being spent on a wish that this moment was different.
What if all the energy spent in resistance to this moment was simply spent in dealing with what this moment calls for?
“One who lives in accordance with nature does not go against the way of things. He moves in harmony with the present moment, always knowing the truth of just what to do.” – Lao Tzu
“If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.” – Lao Tzu
“The past has no power to stop you from being present now. Only your grievance about the past can do that. What is grievance? The baggage of old thought and emotion.” – Lao Tzu
“He who controls his thoughts about the past, controls his future.” – Lao Tzu
“New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.” – Lao Tzu
This last quote from Lao Tzu about painful endings, is a simple example of how we often struggle to stay present.
Imagine for a moment a door slammed in your face, just an inch in front of your nose. How much energy will you spend holding on to the idea that this door used to be open? Will you become trapped in a story about what used to be in the past, preventing you from ever getting past this closed door?
Or will you step into presence with complete acceptance of the reality that this door is now closed?
It is only when you are present that you are able to make yourself available to what this moment offers, and every moment offers possibility. Every painful ending also offers a new beginning. Of course you will never find an open door if you stay stuck in front of the one that has slammed shut.
So ground yourself in presence, take a look around and see that there are other doors to go and knock on – a much more productive application of your energy.
Here are some guiding mantras to help you stay present:
- “I am grateful for this moment, exactly as it is.”
- “My breath is my anchor, connecting me to the present.”
- “Every experience, good or bad, is an opportunity for growth.”
- “I release the past and embrace the possibilities of the now.”
- “I trust the unfolding of my journey, step by step.”
Wishing you a day filled with present awareness.
– pierre –
Today’s LIVE meditation is: The power of NOW.
Today’s LIVE meditation
https://youtu.be/id3HzYagaHI 2026
https://youtu.be/j3VvgIiq6Pc 2025
https://youtu.be/IvB1MknPiXg 2024
https://youtu.be/Y2GVfrHdxG8 2023
Practice the “Daily Dose”
Let’s put it into practice! Choose what works for you – daily, once a week or whenever inspiration strikes. Putting pen to paper wires the neural pathways that will create your new habits.
1 – Affirmation
Write down your favourite affirmation on a sticky note and place it somewhere that you’ll be able to see it the whole day.
- “I am grateful for this moment, exactly as it is.”
- “My breath is my anchor, connecting me to the present.”
- “Every experience, good or bad, is an opportunity for growth.”
- “I release the past and embrace the possibilities of the now.”
- “I trust the unfolding of my journey, step by step.”
2 – A moment of reflection
Use today’s question as a journal prompt. If you don’t have the time to sit down and write, just take a moment to reflect on your response.
The Closed Door Inventory: Think of a specific “closed door” in your life – a relationship that ended, an opportunity that passed, a dream that didn’t materialize. How much mental and emotional energy are you still spending on wishing that door were open? What would it feel like to fully accept that it’s closed? What other doors might you notice if you turned your attention away from this one?
3 – Quotes to share
Send a quote to someone who needs it, or share them all on social media to spread the good vibes!
4 – Q&A for deeper learning
Read through the questions and answers and write down at least one “aha moment” that clicked for you.
Q1: What does it mean to be “out of alignment with life itself”?
Being out of alignment with life means resisting the present moment as it is. When we’re mentally dwelling in the past or future rather than accepting current reality, we create friction between what is and what we wish were true. This resistance drains our energy and prevents us from responding effectively to what’s actually happening right now.
Q2: How can I tell if I’m living in the past, future, or present?
Your emotional state is a reliable indicator. Depression often signals that you’re dwelling on past events or regrets. Anxiety typically means you’re projecting into future scenarios and worrying about what might happen. Peace and groundedness indicate presence with the current moment. Notice your predominant emotions throughout the day as clues to where your attention is focused.
Q3: Doesn’t accepting reality mean I’m giving up on changing things?
Not at all. Acceptance is actually the foundation for effective change. When you resist reality, you waste energy fighting what already is. When you accept the current situation, you free up that energy to take meaningful action. You can’t effectively move forward from where you wish you were; you can only move forward from where you actually are.
Q4: What’s the difference between grievance and simply remembering the past?
Remembering is neutral observation of what happened. Grievance is emotional baggage—old thought patterns and feelings that we carry forward, using them to color our present experience. Grievance keeps us trapped in victimhood and resentment, while simple memory allows us to learn from the past without being controlled by it.
Q5: How do I practice staying present when my mind naturally wanders?
Use your breath as an anchor. Whenever you notice your mind has drifted into past regrets or future worries, simply bring your attention back to your breathing. While you take slow breaths, tell yourself what you are placing placing your focus on now while creating a mental image of where you want your attention to be. This isn’t about never thinking of past or future, but about choosing where you place your primary focus. Each time you notice you’ve wandered and gently return, you strengthen your presence muscle.
Q6: What does it mean that “new beginnings are often disguised as painful endings”?
When a door closes in our lives—whether through loss, failure, or disappointment—we naturally focus on what we’ve lost. But these endings often free us to pursue paths we wouldn’t have otherwise discovered. The pain blinds us temporarily to the new possibilities being created. It’s only with acceptance of the ending that we can turn our attention to what’s emerging.
Q7: How can I redirect my energy from a “closed door” to finding new opportunities?
First, acknowledge and accept that the door is closed without judgment or resistance. Grieve if needed, but don’t set up permanent residence in that grief. Then consciously ask yourself: “Given that this reality is what it is, what’s available to me now?” This question shifts you from passive suffering to active exploration. Look around—literally and metaphorically—for other doors, other possibilities, other paths that you couldn’t see while you were fixated on the closed one.