Letting go of the past

--The past is gone forever, so it makes no sense for past events to affect one’s present state of mind --One cannot change the past, so it makes no sense to dwell on the past

Dichotomy of control

--Some things are at least partially under one’s control, and some things are not --Realize that it is irrational to worry about what is not under one’s control, as rational worry is caused by the feeling that one is not doing one’s best to avoid something harmful --If avoiding something harmful is at least partially under one’s control, then simplydo one’s best to avoid it—beyond that, it is not under one’s control (and it is therefore irrational to worry)

Living in the present

--Since neither the past nor the future currently exist, they should not negatively affect one’s present state of mind --Concentrating on the present moment should crowd out negative emotions relating to the past and the future --One effective way of concentrating on the present is to focus on one’s immediate physical sensations --Of course, while living in the present, one may still learn from the past and prepare for the future