It Won’t Always Be This Way
by Tony Brady
Although we see everything around us changing we find it hard to accept change in everyday life. The mantra "This too shall pass" helps to keep us grounded but there is an even better way to help us appreciate all that we have going for us. Background music: "Good Morning Nature" by Narek Mirzaei of Music of Wisdom. Photo by Laura Ockel on Unsplash
Transcript
Dear friends,
Over the years I have encouraged people to remember the phrase this too shall pass.
It is something to keep in mind in the good times and the bad.
The phrase has helped to keep me grounded at times when things were going more than well and it has avoided me falling into gloom when faced with difficult or worrying situations.
But I have come across an expression that I think will be more helpful to you as it has proved to be helpful to me and this we shall have a think about during this meditation.
But let's begin by bringing ourselves to a place of quiet and calm in our frequently too busy world.
Close your eyes if you find it helpful to do that but in any event make a decision now to relax,
To come into this present moment and allow yourself to simply be.
Leave aside the to-do list for now.
With new tasks popping onto it and completed tasks being crossed off all the time,
The to-do list is a never-ending part of life.
You can be sure it will be there when you come back to it in a few minutes.
So for now let's pause for one minute and enjoy being present in the here and the now.
Welcome back.
I have pinned a notice to the dashboard of my car which reads when things are bad remember it won't always be this way.
Take one day at a time.
When things are good remember it won't always be this way.
Enjoy every great moment.
Although this notice has been attached to my car for a number of years it has taken a long time for the message to really sink in with me.
I have found myself still operating on the reliable old mantra this too shall pass.
But in recent times I've come to realise the importance of the expression it won't always be this way.
When I look back over the years before my fortunate introduction to meditation I realise that it never occurred to me that this too shall pass.
Never mind this newer mantra that I'm recommending to you now.
I look back at so many times of unappreciated happiness and so many times of pointless worry.
Now with the wisdom of the wasted years I realise how much better life would have been had I been aware of the idea it won't always be this way.
I think of the relationships with people now past that would have been enhanced by that approach and I recall the worries that could have been avoided so many worries if I had only realised it won't always be this way.
Now I'm not a person prone to regret nor am I suggesting that you should be such a person but we can all learn lessons from our past and these lessons when learned can make for a better future.
I just mention this part of my unmindful history in order to promote the idea of this lately discovered mantra and the world of difference that it offers to all of us.
Let's pause for another minute now.
Welcome back.
It won't always be this way.
If you and I could approach our days with this attitude what a difference it would make to our lives.
We'd notice and appreciate all that is good,
All the people that mean so much to us and we'd be more thankful for all that we have and more resilient in dealing with the few things and more resilient in dealing with the few things that we might lack.
It won't always be this way is an expression opening us to a world of appreciation.
It will enable us to cope with calls that are made upon our time and we'll be better able to deal with interruptions that unexpected visit that we might otherwise feel upsets our schedule.
People are more important than schedules.
This mantra will allow us to look at our friends with a new spirit of appreciation as we make our way through this unique day in this never to be repeated wonderful present moment.
I'll allow the music to continue for a little while after this meditation ends and that will give you an opportunity to reflect on these thoughts and see how you might apply them to your life.
May the mantra it won't always be this way prove to be a life-changing and life-enhancing message for you today and every day.
May your life be blessed.
Namaste
4.8 (626)
Recent Reviews
California
October 16, 2025
Oh dear one… how prescient this meditation is for me. Thank you for this… ‘ unappreciated happiness’ is such a salient phrase to remember. It brings me to the present… to reflect on the joy of now. Thank you dear Tony for all your ever- inspiring meditations. You are a treasure
Dawn
October 7, 2025
A lovely meditation with a very helpful mantra. What a terrific message! Thank you so much, Tony. 🙏🏻💚
Susan
July 6, 2025
I have now realized that I always looked at the saying “this too shall pass” meaning something negative will pass. When I read the title of this meditation I thought the same thing. But the positive things in life will also pass. My friend, you always give me such food for thought and new perspectives and I am grateful for that as I navigate a particularly challenging time in my life. 🙏🏻
Tk
May 1, 2025
I have bookmarked and listened to the guidance on, "Just for today" for years!!! This might be my next favorite, the reminder to use the mantra, "It won't always be this way" for good days too is stark! I love the theme on one day at a time while embracing the changes that each day brings. Unattached to daily joys n non-reactive to daily sorrows 💜
Shirlee
March 28, 2025
I love your messages…. Like others,this is so perfectly said.
Faye
March 26, 2025
Grief changes, the loss can be true... but it won't always feel this way ☮☯️
Brenda
March 22, 2025
Tony it was good to listen to you today particularly because we have lost two younger members of the family this last month. My Sister lost her husband and her son with inherited Heart problems. The former was 74yrs old. The latter only 45ys both beautiful people inside and out. She is completely Traumatised poor thing. How can I tell her it won’t always be this way. I know because it has happened many times in my lifetime. What can I say to her to help her believe again.🙏🏻
Brian
February 12, 2025
Dear Tony, Thank you sincerely from Vancouver Island, Canada ( a beautiful and peaceful blessing in my life and retirement ) for your meditation about “Things won’t always be this way…”. I have been using the slogan “This Too Shall Pass” for many years now and it has helped this “naturally-impatient self” to pause and remember… but your re-phrasing of it has helped me to see how I can go further and practice Gratitude by being grateful through staying aware that I have already shared SO many beautiful moments with others, many of whom are now passed. Knowing this helps me to practice Loving Kindness towards myself and others hour by hour. Our time here to be loving and kind is really so brief and so precious. ❤️🇨🇦🌈
Pam
February 9, 2025
Tony, you create the most beautiful meditations. Your voice, the music and especially your words. This one was wonderful and came at the perfect time. It is a great reminder that we need to look at things with a positive mind, be grateful for the little things and remember it will not always be this way. Thank you so much🙏❣️❣️❣️
ANDRE
February 6, 2025
Perfect for me now...the timing of your words, the background music and sounds ..and however beautiful this is and however difficult things are currently..it won't always be this way..it really resonated and I am so very grateful to you. I must write this on my wall...
Christine
January 27, 2025
A wonderful reminder to enjoy the things that you love and bring you happiness. It also helps in those ones where you feel stuck. The two can coexist which can be a difficult concept at first. They are both lanes in the highway of this journey and you are not going to be in this moment forever.
Darrell
December 22, 2024
Namaste Tony🙏 Thankyou for this thoughtful reminder to us all🌟✌️
Gina
December 18, 2024
Loved it. "People are more important than schedules " I ll remember that! Thank you
Lee
December 14, 2024
A good reminder and reframing of perception in good times and bad.
Melissa
December 2, 2024
I need to hear your words this evening. Much gratitude for being there.
Karenmk
November 27, 2024
Blessings to you ! Thank you 🙏🕊️💓💚💐Received the message.🕊️
Senga
November 22, 2024
Dear Tony, I love your new mantra. So true! I will be using these words. Winter has arrived! Love to you and Fran. All as ok as can be with us!! More challenges. New mantra will be helpful. Thank you. 🙏🕊💕❄️
Katie
September 6, 2024
Lovely! After 4 years of chaos, loss, grief, it has been hard to stay upbeat. Some days my heart is so burdened. And I do try my best to be grateful for what I do have left. Listening to this meditation picked me up. Your words and instructions are always so gentle. It will not always be this way. Thank you! 🍀🇮🇪☮️💖🙏🖖🪷🕉
Maggie
August 3, 2024
Thank you for sharing this wise message. I often regret not knowing about being in the present moment and meditation. And all the time and energy I wasted on worry and trying to control outcomes. So the mantra , “This too shall pass” is perfect. 🙏🏻
Leslie
July 18, 2024
Another lovely meditation from this teacher. I know in particular when I go out for a walk I try and recognize all the beautiful and interesting things around me because it won’t always be like this. Thank you for offering your thoughts.