Do the next right thing.

Over the years, I’ve gone deep into exploring the mind. I’ve asked myself the question, “Who am I?” and examined how my mind shapes my experiences. This journey has anchored me in the present, tuning into each moment as it comes. But about two years ago, life threw me a few hard hits. I struggled to quiet my mind, with thoughts that wouldn’t let go, creating this loop of suffering.

I shared my struggles with someone I trusted, expecting advice or understanding of my specifics. Instead, he offered simple guidance: “Do the next right thing.” He used the analogy of a smoke-filled escape from a fire, where you can only see a few feet ahead but must keep moving, one step at a time. That clarity was a gift. It lifted the weight, reminding me that while we can’t see the full journey or control all that lies ahead, we can control the choices we make right now.

The truth is, we don’t have control over everything, but we’re not entirely at the mercy of life either. There is always one thing within our reach—the present moment. We may not dictate every event, but we do have a say in how we respond. Each small action we take now becomes a part of the larger direction, and over time, these steps build momentum and shape our path. This perspective doesn’t ask us to micromanage life’s outcomes but rather to engage with the moment that’s right in front of us.

Creating change in life is like steering a large ship—it doesn’t turn on a dime. Each small action creates a slight turn, and over time, these adjustments dramatically alter our course. Often, we’re so fixated on the big change we want to make that it feels overwhelming or out of reach. But real change is possible if we can focus on what’s immediately in front of us, acting on the things within reach right now.

If you’re someone who tends to worry about the future, it can help to pause, look around, and realize that only what’s right here, right now, is real. The thoughts of the future or past are just that—thoughts.

We do well to know the general direction we want to go in life. But like navigating in the smoke, it’s essential to focus on what’s right in front of us. Often, when we are more aware of what’s right here, we see opportunities that might otherwise pass unnoticed.

Since then, I’ve lived by this: If something isn’t relevant to an action I can take today, it doesn’t need my energy. Life’s changes don’t happen overnight; they’re the result of small steps and gentle steering. Focusing on each step, instead of trying to force the whole journey at once, is freeing and powerful.

So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by thoughts of the future or the weight of the past, bring it back to the present. Identify the next right choice that’s within reach, and let the rest go.