“Now is Not Forever:” A Mantra for Life’s Ups and Downs
You and I both know how quickly life can change. One moment feels like it will last forever… until it doesn’t. That’s why this mantra means so much to me. It’s a mantra that steadies you in chaos and softens you in joy. It’s helped me savor the good times and survive the hard ones. And it’s been with me ever since a Christmas morning many years ago — a moment I want to share with you. Let me take you back to that morning.
My 4-year-old and 8-year-old daughters were on the floor that Christmas morning, completely absorbed in the magic of tearing through wrapping paper to open their presents and make a mess in our living room. Their laughter filled the room.
My husband looked over and smiled at me, and in that quiet moment — coffee in my hands, our daughters lost in joy, love settling over us like a warm blanket — I felt a wave of tenderness. You’ve had moments like that, too, the warm, fuzzy ones you wish you could freeze.
And it was in the middle of that sweetness that something shifted.
As clearly as if someone had whispered it in my ear, I heard the words: Now is not forever. I felt a sudden ache as I realized this moment was already becoming a memory. It was precious because it was temporary, and I wanted to hold it close before it passed.
If you’ve raised children, you know how quickly those moments slip through your fingers. In that moment, I knew that one day I would look back on this time and want to relive it. I thought to myself, I’m never going to forget this moment because now is not forever.
Cherish the Good Times and Survive the Bad
What I didn’t realize then was how often I would return to those words.
That moment didn’t just stay in the past. It became a mantra I leaned on again and again — especially when life became harder than I ever imagined. This mantra didn’t just help me feel joy; it helped me survive pain. You’ll be surprised how quickly this simple phrase can steady you.
I learned that most clearly during the hardest seasons of my life.
Repeating “now is not forever” carried me through serious illnesses and surgeries, with too much time spent in MRI machines and critical care units. You’ve had these moments too — when you’re scared, exhausted, or wondering how you’ll get through. Repeating this mantra will strengthen you in hard times.
But this mantra isn’t only for the big crises, parenting, or illness. It’s just as powerful during the quieter, confusing in-between times. It can be a compass to help you navigate any personal or professional transition you face.
We’ve all had good relationships that turned bad, and jobs we thought were secure until they weren’t. Loss made you believe you would never be happy or feel safe again — and then you were. Repeating “now is not forever” during lonely, insecure times gives you hope that this feeling won’t last and that you will be happy again.
Change brings a time of transition and a roller‑coaster ride of emotions. You feel the pain of loss alongside the excitement of possibilities. If you don’t have a clear vision of what’s next, you will feel lost and confused during the in‑between phase that seems to last forever.
Repeating “now is not forever” will help you get through the in-between time until you once again feel happy and as if you belong in the new world that change creates.
Because I want this mantra to support you as it has supported me, here are a few simple ways to use it when you need it.
- Repeat this mantra at any moment you’re feeling impatient, overwhelmed, or just plain miserable. It will calm you and help you gain perspective on your life right now.
- If you’re struggling, “Now is not forever” offers you hope during difficult times. It means better days are coming; the pain won’t last forever.
- During times of happiness, “Now is not forever” encourages you to cherish the moment and recognize that even good times change and evolve.
- When you’re longing to relive a happy moment, “Now is not forever” reminds you of life’s constant flow of change. Instead of longing for the past, focus on how you can experience and treasure the present.
Life keeps moving, and so do we. But the beauty is that new moments always find us.
I can’t relive that moment with my children, but I’ve been fortunate to share similar moments with my grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Wherever you find yourself today — in joy, in uncertainty, or simply trying to stay afloat — let this mantra deepen your gratitude for the blessings you’ve received and soften the edges of the challenging moments.
Let it remind you that this moment is not forever. Everything changes. Everything passes. No season lasts forever. And as life shifts around you, this mantra will help you breathe a little easier and trust a little deeper. It will remind you that you’re going to be okay. You always have been. You always will be. You are far more resilient than you know.
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