The word "now" has always felt emotionally vague to me.  Maybe that is because it has been so over used it has lost its oomph.  The word "new" on the other hand has an energetic kick and gives me a feeling of excitement. 

Since the now is always new, I've decided that "new" and "now" are synonyms; "new" is indeed the powerful essence of "now".

Here's my ridiculously simple discovery, whenever I mentally replace "now" with "new" I instantly get a lift.  I'm convinced it's the lift that the now intends for us to enjoy.  Just give it a try and see how it feels.  Here are a few examples, "The power of new", "The here and new", "The time is always new", and "All we really have is new!"  They feel so good to say that I continue to repeat them.  It's amazing how one word change transforms these familiar statements into mood elevating affirmations.  Now they're mental reset buttons that refresh my mind.  A quick and easy way to start a new day anytime I'm feeling frustrated.

I stumbled upon this during a morning meditation. The meditative reading for that day was focused on the significance of being mindful of living in the present.  At that moment I was inspired to mentally insert "new" every time "now" appeared in the text as I read.  Here it is:

"I have finally realized the great fact that all I have is new. This sweeps away all vain regret and makes my thoughts of the future free of fear. New is mine. I can do what I want with it. I own it. What I do new, in this present moment, is what makes up my life.  My whole life is only a succession of news. I will take this new moment, which is given to me by the grace of God, and I will do something with it.  What I do with each new moment will make me.  Am I living in the new?"

This simple exercise opens my mind to new ideas that transform negatives into positives, disadvantages into advantages, by releasing old ideas and inviting in new ones.  Replacing my "nows" with "news" is giving my "now" vitality and I hope it does the same for you. 

Welcome to The Here and New, was the title of a recent episode of the weekly podcast, Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed that I co-host with Edward Biagiotti.  During it we share the benefits of how we renew our minds, bodies, and circumstances with fresh ideas.  Click here to download and listen during your drive time  Also available on iTunes.



–Darrell Fusaro

Darrell Fusaro is the author of What If Godzilla Just Wanted a Hug?, co-host of the Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed podcast and a contributing columnist for i-Italy Magazine.