I love this phrase, and have Zach to thank for it. So often when supporting Zach’s activities, his ears receive commands to act, and he hears them, but it can take what seems like forever for his body to follow suit. There are multiple medical and neurological reasons for this, but on the face of it, it can be downright frustrating when trying to “accomplish” things together.

To illustrate the “Now is Good” phrase, imagine that it is time for Zach to have a bath. We get all the supplies in place for a head to toe (non-spa) experience. We lure him into the bathroom and can get him to use the toilet, get a shave, maybe a haircut and drop his clothing.

This part of the process can easily take an hour, sometimes more. But when we get to the point of being completely ready to help him step into the warm bubbly tub, he often just sits on the floor as if that is the place he would like his bath.

”Hey Zach, all set buddy! Let’s get you in the tub so we can get you cleaned up!” I try my best to cheer him on and be the enthusiast! “It’s so warm Zach, see the bubbles? C’mon buddy, let’s count: 1…2…3. GO!” As I motion with my arms and entire body to model getting in.

Zach’s response? He joins me in the countdown: “1…2…3…GO!” but does not move.

”Now is good!” I tell him. Probably dozens of times before he actually gets into the water. Which eventually he does! It is worth noting that it is as difficult to get Zach to exit the tub, as it is to get him in. So it’s not that he doesn’t love it, he just needs a lot of prompting to get his body to sync up with the words we are saying.

We use this phrase jokingly as we are encouraging him, almost as if to keep us from completely yelling out “Get your butt in the water Zach!!!” (Which doesn’t work, I have tried that too.)

I started using Zach’s phrase in my own mind and life when coaxing my body to catch up with my environment. Sometimes when I don’t feel like moving, I tell myself “Now is good (now get out of bed!)”

But more recently I have found a second meaning for this mantra, one which feels like such a gift and easy reminder to be present. Now “IS” good, I think when I wake up to a new day. Sort of like pausing to give credit and thanks for whatever is happening in that moment.

Anytime I can put space between what is happening around me, and my reaction to all that stimuli, I think “Now is good” meaning (to quote Eckhart Tolle) “I have no complaints whatsoever.” When I say these words, I am whole. There is nothing to fix, do, decide, change, control or lament. I am simply here, now, and “Now, is Good.”

When I say it literally or in my head, I am not making claims or predictions about any future moments. In fact the next moment may be an absolute disaster. But recognizing goodness in small increments as they unfold, is just one more unexpected, unwrapped gift that I have been Blessed with when I got to be Zach’s mom.

See if you can identify any moments today when you can proclaim in soft words or by shouting: “Now is Good!”