The present moment is all that ever truly is. Not once in our life have we had anything other than the now. We might label “now” as something not in our favor, but this state of judgment only brings suffering to the constant nature of being alive. Instead of working against “now”, work with it. Accept and embrace it because “now” is constantly what our lives are depending on. If there wasn’t a "now”, we wouldn’t be alive. We might deny our very presence in what makes us alive, but be awake in your constant aliveness and you can avoid much suffering due to placing dysfunctional emphasis on the past or future.

The more we can un-identify with our thoughts and not let them control us the more we can shift away from pain. The power of watching your thoughts instead of being taken over by them is the key to avoiding suffering. Being alive in the moment and not letting our mind take over us is like a muscle or skill that can be exercised through meditation or other spiritual practices. Ego and suffering lies in the present and future, but our true being is present in each heartbeat.