Finding Peace in the Present Moment: Seeing Beyond the Ego’s Story

There’s a line in A Course in Miracles that says, “I am never upset for the reason I think.”

Initially, I understood those words conceptually—but recently, through a blend of ACIM, Eckhart Tolle, and Ram Dass, they landed in a completely new way.

What I’ve come to see is that when I’m upset, my mind isn’t in the present moment. It’s lost in a story—replaying the past, projecting into the future, or creating imagined outcomes that don’t exist right now. The upset doesn’t come from what’s happening; it comes from the story my mind, or ego, tells about what’s happening.

The way back to peace is through Presence. In any moment of irritation, frustration, tension, or fear, I can pause, breathe, and notice that right now—in this moment—I am safe. I’m breathing. Nothing is actually happening except what is. When I step back and simply observe, the story starts to dissolve. From that still space, any action I take is calm, clear, and aligned, rather than reactive.

Peace through Presence

This realization also deepened my understanding of true forgiveness. We all have an egoic mind—that inner storyteller that thrives on drama and judgment. But here’s the thing many of us never notice: most of the time, we’re completely identified with that voice. We’re running on autopilot, reacting to thoughts, emotions, and memories as if they are us.

Yet the moment we pause and observe—truly observe—we discover something life-changing. There’s the storyteller, and then there’s the observer. The observer is the real “You” — the quiet awareness that sees the story being told. And from that place of awareness, you have a choice. You don’t have to believe every thought. You don’t have to react to every feeling. You can simply notice, breathe, and decide consciously what comes next.

That’s the shift from ego to Presence—from unconscious reaction to deliberate creation.

When you begin to see this in yourself, you naturally extend the same grace to others. You realize that when someone lashes out, resists change, or acts unkindly, they’re not operating from their true self either. They’re caught in their own story. Seeing that truth allows compassion to replace judgment. That’s what true forgiveness really is: seeing beyond the ego to the Presence that lives beneath it.

This same awareness applies beautifully to our health and wellness journeys. Most of us have an entire ego story running in the background about our bodies, our habits, and our abilities:

• “I'm not meant to be healthy."

• “I just don’t have the discipline.”

• “I’ve tried everything, nothing works.”

But those thoughts are not you. They’re the mind’s stories—echoes of the past, old experiences, and conditioning. When you can pause and observe them without judgment, you create space to make a conscious choice instead of reacting from guilt or frustration. You begin to act from Presence—where real change happens.

Awareness transforms everything. When you recognize the story for what it is —just a story, certainly not the truth —instead of believing it, you begin to see your health not as a battle but as a relationship—one that deserves patience, compassion, and love.

Nonresistance, nonattachment, and nonjudgment can help you find peace, too. Your body, your habits, your progress—none of it is good or bad. It simply is. When you stop labeling your choices as failures or successes and instead approach them with curiosity, growth becomes natural and sustainable. Every small mindful choice, every moment you pause before reacting, is enlightenment in motion.

This is the heart of my WholeLYFE approach—healing—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—begins with awareness. When you learn to slow down, observe the stories, and return to the present moment, you connect with the part of you that already knows how to heal. From there, small steps become easier, habits feel lighter, and peace becomes your natural state—not just in your mind, but in your body and your life.

Finding Peace: Pause and Observe

Next time you notice stress, frustration, or self-criticism creeping in, try this:

1. Pause and breathe. Take a slow, deep breath in. Exhale fully. Feel your body right where it is.

2. Notice the story. What is your mind saying right now? What emotion is it creating?

3. Step back. Recognize: I am the one who is aware of this thought—not the thought itself.

4. Let it be. You don’t need to fix or fight the story. Just let it pass like a cloud across the sky.

5. Choose consciously. Ask yourself: “What’s the most peaceful next step I can take from here?”

Every time you do this, you strengthen the connection to your true self—the observer, the Presence—and that is where healing begins.

In honor of World Kindness Day, I’m reminded that awareness and kindness go hand in hand. When we step back from judgment—of ourselves or others—we create space for compassion. That’s what true kindness really is: seeing beyond the stories our minds tell and responding with understanding instead of reaction.

If you’d like to start exploring this connection for yourself, you can download your free WholeLYFE Blueprint — it’s a gentle guide to understanding the six lifestyle levers that support healing from the inside out.

And if you’re ready to go deeper and explore your health on a different level with support, clarity, and compassion — I’d love to work with you directly.

Schedule your free consultation today.

With love, peace, and encouragement,

Coach Marsha

Health Coach | Plant-Based Nutrition Specialist