This is the story of how we begin to remember

Yesterday evening I was having a hard time- long confusing day with lots of ups and downs, a daunting task set before me- so I did what every sensible daughter does: I called my Mom, took a shower and went to bed early.

This morning I woke up from a 10-hour sleep and as I lay there slowly waking up I realized that Paul Simon's "African Skies" was playing in my head. It seems like every time I have a big awakening (either a break up, a loss of job, or just a major viewpoint switch) this song resurfaces and keeps me feeling light and positive and aware of all the shiny goodness that change can offer. So I reached over for my iPod, which I spent the summer stocking full of any and all music I thought I might require during my trip, and put on the song. As I lay there listening to the beautiful song, sunlight poured through my windows and I could feel my heart open up. I thought, "this is exciting. I am not hurt, I am not alone. I am more than okay. This is going to be fun." And then I listened to "For Now" from the Avenue Q soundtrack, which always helps me to remember exactly what I believe about Life. I can't believe that people could write a song that in so many ways- the words, the chord changes, the style and everything- feels exactly like how I would define my spirituality. Here are the lyrics.

PRINCETON:
Why does everything have to be so hard?

GARY COLEMAN:
Maybe you'll never find your purpose.

CHRISTMAS EVE:
Lots of people don't.

PRINCETON:
But then- I don't know why I'm even alive!

KATE MONSTER:
Well, who does, really?
Everyone's a little bit unsatisfied.

BRIAN:
Everyone goes 'round a little empty inside.

GARY COLEMAN:
Take a breath,
Look around,

BRIAN:
Swallow your pride,

BRIAN, KATE, GARY, CHRISTMAS EVE:
For now...

NICKY:
Nothing lasts,

ROD:
Life goes on,

NICKY:
Full of surprises.

ROD:
You'll be faced with problems of all shapes and sizes.

CHRISTMAS EVE:
You're going to have to make a few compromises...
For now...

ALL:
But only for now! (For now)
Only for now! (For now)
Only for now! (For now)
Only for now!

LUCY:
For now we're healthy.

BRIAN:
For now we're employed.

BAD IDEA BEARS:
For now we're happy...

KATE MONSTER:
If not overjoyed.

PRINCETON:
And we'll accept the things we cannot avoid, for now...

ALL:
But only for now! (For now)
Only for now! (For now)
Only for now! (For now)
Only for now!

Only for now!
(For now there's life!)
Only for now!
(For now there's love!)
Only for now!
(For now there's work!)
For now there's happiness!
But only for now!
(For now discomfort!)
Only for now!
(For now there's friendship!)
Only for now (For now!)
Only for now!

Only for now! (Sex!)
Is only for now! (Your hair!)
Is only for now! (George Bush!)
Is only for now!

Don't stress,
Relax,
Let life roll off your backs
Except for death and paying taxes,
Everything in life is only for now!

NICKY:
Each time you smile...

KATE MONSTER:
It'll only last a while.

PRINCETON:
Life may be scary...

ALL:
But it's only temporary

PRINCETON:
Everything in life is only for now.