I had just discovered a set of powerful, active techniques that helped people change how they felt in the here-and-now. Every time you’re upset, the same pattern appears—a triggering event, distorted thoughts, and painful feelings. When you change the way you think and feel in this moment, you aren’t ignoring the past. The present moment already contains everything that matters. And that may be why the fastest path to healing isn’t found by looking backward, but by learning how to change what you’re experiencing right now.