This is happening

October 29, 2025

Accept—then act. Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it.

Eckhart Tolle

One of my favorite sayings came from a dear friend: This is happening, how can I bring my love to it? Some context: I tend to struggle with aversion. Resisting reality, believing it shouldn’t be this way. This shouldn’t be happening. It’s of course a recipe for suffering, misery, unpleasant feelings and sometimes the related undesired behaviors.

So my friend recommended this mantra anytime I find myself in a situation where I can’t believe what is going on (as a single parent with two young kids, this is more often than I would admit or like). And I will say, it works.

The first part, a reminder to welcome reality. This is happening whether I like it or not. I cannot change the past. This moment is inevitable. The second part, an invitation to bring my wisdom and love (understanding, acceptance, embrace), with a heaping dose of patience. A reminder that I can now choose how I want to respond, and the easiest and most effective way is to give my love.