How is it now?

“How is it now? And now? And now?”

I’m happy to be back from the holidays and complete with my move so that I can once again share with you the tidbits of wisdom I learn as I travel this fascinating path that we share.

The latest insight comes from my Christmas visit with my sister, Julie. You may remember I shared a post earlier in the year where Julie had written about what it means to be a caregiver. She continues to be an advocate for her husband during his treatment for brain cancer.

When the last scan showed that the experimental drug didn’t perform as they hoped and new tumors started rapidly growing, my sister made a decision. “We will wait until after the holidays,” she said. “I don’t want to ruin what may be our last Christmas as a family.”

Of course she was right. But the reality of that hit me hard.

While driving my mom home that evening (we knew we’d catch some sister time alone in the car), we both cried. The options are not great. “It’s just a matter of buying time,” she said.

“One of my meditation teachers taught me a very valuable lesson and it’s really simple,” I said.  “Just ask yourself the question, ‘How is it now?’” Most of the time, ‘now’ this very moment right here – is usually okay. Some moments are even great! We are safe, fed, sheltered, have the love of friends and family. Now is usually okay.

“When you are in the now, you’re not worried about what may happen tomorrow. You deal with tomorrow when tomorrow comes.”

“But what happens when now is not okay?” Julie asked. “You be with that too,” I replied. “The full pain, disappointment and agony of the situation that is not okay. But don’t rob your current happiness for something that hasn’t yet happened.”

“I’ll give it a try,” she said.

Today she posted on the blog she writes to share updates on Scott’s progress:

How is it now?  This is the question that my big sis, Deb, has taught me to ask myself throughout each day.  It helps to ground myself in the moment and not to focus on what might or might not happen.  Typically, “now” is pretty ok.  Sometimes “now” is even great.  And sometimes “now” is not so great and that’s ok too…

By learning to live in the NOW, we were able to enjoy the Christmas holiday with friends and family.  We hope you all had a wonderful holiday too!  Please keep Scott in your prayers.  We pray that his body stays strong for the new treatments, that the radiation and new therapy work to fight the cancer, and for the focus to live in the Now!

As we come to the end of a year and the cusp of a new beginning, I ask you, “How is it now?” and offer this simple practice as a way to stay grounded in the beauty of what is.

Wishing you peace, health and happiness, now and throughout the New Year.

In love,