Fear keeps us focused on the past or worried about the future. If

Host: The room feels serene, with the soft glow of the lamp casting a warm light across the space. Outside, the world has quieted down, and the peaceful atmosphere seems ideal for a conversation about fear, presence, and the importance of mindfulness. Jeeny sits on the couch, her legs tucked beneath her, a cup of tea resting in her hands. Jack, standing near the window, gazes out at the darkened world outside, clearly lost in thought.

Jeeny: “Jack, I came across a quote from Thich Nhat Hanh today that really resonated with me,” she says softly. “He said, ‘Fear keeps us focused on the past or worried about the future. If we can acknowledge our fear, we can realize that right now we are okay. Right now, today, we are still alive, and our bodies are working marvelously. Our eyes can still see the beautiful sky. Our ears can still hear the voices of our loved ones.’ What do you think about that?”

Jack: He turns slowly, a calm but thoughtful expression crossing his face. “That’s such a peaceful way of looking at fear. It’s so easy to get caught up in our anxieties — either about things that have happened or what might happen. But Thich Nhat Hanh is reminding us that in the present moment, we are already okay. Our bodies are functioning, we’re still here, and there is beauty around us. Fear has a way of pulling us away from that reality, making us forget what we have in this moment. When we can acknowledge our fear without letting it control us, we can realize how much we already have.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. Fear often tricks us into thinking we’re in danger, or that something isn’t right, even when we’re perfectly safe. By focusing on what’s uncertain, we miss out on what’s right in front of us. But when we stop, breathe, and pay attention to the present — to our body, the sights, the sounds, the simple things — we realize that right now, we’re okay. We’re alive, and there’s so much beauty and peace in that. Thich Nhat Hanh is showing us that fear doesn’t have to be something that takes over our lives; it can just be something we acknowledge and move through.”

Host: The light in the room seems to soften as the conversation deepens. Jeeny speaks with an understanding that presence and mindfulness are powerful tools in overcoming fear. Jack stands still, reflecting on how often we forget to pause and appreciate what we have right now, especially when anxiety pulls us into past regrets or future worries.

Jack: “I think it’s also about awareness. Fear often makes us feel as if we’re losing control, like we have to do something, think about something, or prepare for something. But what Thich Nhat Hanh is saying is that if we can just bring our awareness back to the present — to the fact that we’re still here, that everything is still functioning — we can find a sense of peace. Acknowledging our fear is the first step in disempowering it. Instead of letting it pull us in different directions, we can simply let it be and remind ourselves that we’re okay right now.”

Jeeny: “Yes, it’s so easy to let fear drive us into this perpetual cycle of worry. We get stuck thinking about what we did wrong in the past or what could go wrong in the future, and in doing so, we miss out on what is. But when we focus on the present, on what we can appreciate right here, right now, it takes the power away from fear. Mindfulness gives us the ability to step back from it and realize that, in this moment, we are safe, we are capable, and we are alive.”

Host: The conversation becomes quieter, more introspective, as they reflect on the power of presence in easing fear. Jeeny and Jack both agree that fear, while natural, can become overwhelming if we allow it to control our thoughts and actions. Thich Nhat Hanh’s words serve as a reminder that the present moment, if we allow ourselves to fully experience it, is filled with peace, beauty, and gratitude — things that fear often causes us to overlook.

Jack: “It’s almost like fear takes us out of the equation of the present. We get so consumed with what’s to come or what’s already happened, that we forget what we’re actually experiencing right now. But mindfulness shifts that. It brings us back to our bodies, to the simplicity of being alive in this very moment. That’s such a powerful way to dismantle the hold that fear has over us.”

Jeeny: “Yes! It’s about reclaiming our peace in the midst of uncertainty. When we take time to notice the good that’s around us — the sky, the sounds of our loved ones, the way our body moves — we reconnect with the fact that we are here, now, and that’s enough. Fear can’t overshadow the present if we learn to focus on what’s going well, even in the midst of uncertainty.”

Host: The room feels calmer now, as if the weight of their conversation has settled into something deeper. Jeeny and Jack reflect on how fear, while natural, doesn’t have to dictate our lives. Thich Nhat Hanh’s words remind them that the present moment is where peace lies. By acknowledging fear and bringing our attention back to the simple reality that we are alive, capable, and connected to the world around us, we can disempower fear and reclaim our peace. It’s a practice of mindfulness — a return to the present, where we can truly experience joy and gratitude, no matter what the future holds.