The Human Moment Behind Political News: A Reflection on Biden’s Diagnosis

When news broke recently about former President Joe Biden’s cancer diagnosis, reactions ranged from concern to political speculation. Yet for many, including myself, the announcement served as a stark reminder of our shared humanity. Illness and uncertainty touch us all, regardless of status or achievement. Life is unpredictable, and we often gloss over this reality as we rush towards tomorrow, forgetting that today is all we truly have.

The Hidden Tension Behind Our Everyday Stress

In the years leading up to this moment, I began to conceptualize my own struggles—and those of my students—through what I call Tension Theory. While not yet a formal model, it helps illuminate how we navigate stress and relationships in our lives.

At the foundation of Tension Theory are two opposing forces: temptation and illusion.

Temptation is the cultural and internalized pull toward “more.” It whispers that our worth is contingent upon our productivity—more recognition, more likes, and more money. This relentless pursuit convinces us that we should be constantly achieving and improving.

Illusion, on the other hand, manifests as the false identity we present to meet external expectations—a curated self designed to appear competent and poised.

As I navigated my role as a professor, I found these forces at play within me. The pressure to be efficient and productive was often self-imposed, driven by the urge to demonstrate my value. It was a realization that sparked a new way of looking at life around me: the tension I felt wasn’t isolated—it permeated the lives of my students, colleagues, and even public figures.

The Culture of “More” and the Rush to Tomorrow

We exist in a society that champions productivity above all. The question “What’s next?” has become our default state of being. Even rest is often framed as preparation for future efforts—vacations become recovery for more work, while sleep serves as fuel for the next round of hustle.

This ingrained mindset conveys two powerful messages:

1. You are only as valuable as what you produce.
2. You are only successful if you are continuously moving forward.

This creates what I term a treadmill mentality: no matter how fast you run, you never truly catch up. We often find ourselves multitasking during family dinners, scrolling through our phones while eating, and planning future meetings during our morning routines. Even in moments of calm, our minds race to what lies ahead.

Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh offers a vital counterpoint to this frenetic pace. His assertion that “We have already arrived” is more than spiritual; it is deeply practical. This idea implies we don’t have to wait for the next big life event to feel peace. We don’t have to earn our right to rest or fulfillment.

Presence Over Perfection

Recognizing that we have “already arrived” may feel radical in a culture that prioritizes hustle over stillness. But what if we truly believed this concept? What if we accepted that we need not achieve anything before living joyfully and meaningfully?

In my classroom, I’ve started introducing brief mindfulness practices at the beginning of each session. Whether it involves a few minutes of deep breathing or a moment of grounding in our shared space, I tell my students, “You’ve arrived. There’s nowhere else you need to be right now.” This simple practice offers a much-needed pause in a world that constantly pressures students to focus on future achievements. One student even noted in their evaluation, “I’ve never had this exercise in any class before. It helped me clear my mind and prepare to learn.”

Real-Life Examples of Reclaiming the Present

To translate this concept into everyday experiences, let’s consider some scenarios:

In the Workplace: Picture yourself stuck in traffic on the way to an important meeting. The illusion tells you that you’re failing, that you should have prepared better. The temptation urges you to multitask while driving. Instead, what if you took a deep breath, savored the breeze coming through the window, and accepted that you’re doing your best in that moment?

In Parenting: Your child is throwing a tantrum in the grocery store. Illusions about how others perceive you can feel overwhelming. You may feel the pressure to fix the situation quickly. Instead of rushing to control, what if you knelt down to make eye contact and validated your child’s feelings? This moment of presence can model acceptance and empathy.

In Relationships: When your partner forgets something significant like an anniversary or an emotional need, the illusion might suggest they don’t care. Temptation could push you to withdraw or respond with anger. However, what if you chose presence over punishment and opened a dialogue instead? Expressing your hurt can foster deeper connections rather than drive a wedge.

In Social Media and Body Image: Scrolling through curated feeds can lead to enforced comparison. The illusion tells you that you should look a certain way, while the temptation promotes self-improvement through consumption. What if, instead, you recognized that true beauty cannot be measured against filters? Embracing your body as it is—alive, changing, and authentic—is a powerful act of self-acceptance.

3 Ways to Live with Less Tension, More Presence

To cultivate presence in our lives, consider these approaches:

1. Resist the Temptation of More: When the desire to maximize your output arises, pause and ask yourself: “Who am I trying to impress—and why?” Simplicity may yield greater sanity.

2. Challenge the Illusive Self: Are your actions aligned with your own values or merely designed to impress others? If it’s the latter, you might be living performatively rather than authentically.

3. Practice Micro-Moments of Now: You don’t need a weekend retreat to ground yourself. Instead, try sipping your coffee without distractions, greeting a colleague with your full attention, or laughing freely. These micro-moments serve as reminders of your arrival, grounding you firmly in the present.

Biden’s health announcement transcends politics; it nudges us to let go of what we cannot control and refocus on our current connections, breaths, and joys. Tomorrow is uncertain, but this moment—this heartbeat, this conversation, and this shared human experience—is where life unfolds.

When we embrace the notion of ‘living now,’ we can truly appreciate the richness of life as it is—free from the relentless chase for more.