The Present

The idea that the present moment is supposed to be this peaceful place does not resonate with me.  The present moment is whatever it is.  Pain could be present in this moment.  We are conditioned to ignore or avoid feelings and thoughts that are painful. The pain still persists. If we are present to the feeling as it arises, we can be with the experience and allow it to be there, as it is.  We don't need to make it more than it is and we don't need to pretend it's not actually there.  When we invite our awareness to be with whatever our present experience is, we let the emotion move more freely.  As a result, it can move through us instead of getting stuck.  Remember, emotion is energy. Energy doesn't disappear.  It moves and we can facilitate its movement, if we are present to our own experience.