And This too Shall Pass

“This too shall pass” is not just a quote but a reminder reflecting on the power of “Change”. It states that no matter whatever is happening at this moment, it will change eventually. This is the only proverb that can make you both happy and sad at a particular moment as said by Shree Krishna in Bhagavad Gita.

Krishna says,

मात्रास्पर्शास्तु कौन्तेय शीतोष्णसुखदुःखदाः।

आगमापायिनोऽनित्यास्तांस्तितिक्षस्व भारत।।

(matra-sparsas tu kaunteya sitosna-sukha-duhkha-d- āh

agamapayino ‘nityas tams titiksasva bharata)

Meaning, O son of Kuntī, the temporary appearance of happiness and sadness, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.

This proverb indicates that all your present conditions, positive or negative, are temporary. Just like the changing seasons, they will change too. Nothing is fore-ever; family, friends, emotions, health, wealth nothing. We have to keep in mind that when things are not going as well as how we want or are disastrous, we can still be hopeful that those circumstances will change eventually now or later. The same applies to positive emotions too.

When I start reflecting on my life, I notice how many changes I have gone through. Most of which seemed too consuming at a particular time, both the pain and pleasure were endless then. But then they passed. Nothing stayed the same. For every moment, good or bad it passed. Time has gradually taught me to even accept the unacceptable and unlike the likable.

We come across the news of job losses, accidents, suicides, and other misfortunes happening on a daily basis. There is a high probability that you are also one of those affected. At that time, this proverb becomes your only reason for hope. It doesn’t matter how big or small your problem is, this is sure that you are strong enough to get through most things and emerge the other side being much stronger. All your grief, anger, sadness, sufferings, bad memories will pass either with the passing of time or if you seriously take an action to help it out the door. It’s what you do next that really matters. It’s your choices and decisions that really matter.

Nothing is permanent!

Time changes. That’s the reason it is also said that change is the law of nature. Nothing stays the same whether in physical form, thoughts, or emotions. We need to recognize that every thought, feeling, emotion, and situation is temporary for that moment and it is in our power to change it as we want. If we try to hang onto these moments, as life ebbs and flows, we will find that we will be impacted greatly, which is usually through discomfort, pain, and grief or loss. We can bury our anger, grief, anxiety, and so on for a large amount of time – but we can’t keep the emotion going forever. The good passes just as the bad, so recognizing that there is no permanence in anything can support us in moving on. Today or tomorrow, it will pass on until we either let it go or we call it back to us.

Life is uncertain and unpredictable. And in this short cycle of life, what counts the most is our experiences, that we have gained all this time.

BOTTOM LINE

So, the next time if you feel that things are not the way you want them to be, the next time you are upset or disappointed, stressed or worried, just remind yourself that This Too Shall Pass. This quote will support you to recognize that the feeling, emotion, thought or situation is only temporary and will pass. It will help you to move on by letting go.

Learn not to judge any situation you are in, especially if it is painful, sad, or disappointing. Instead, be aware of the situation. Acceptance and gaining experiences are the only way forward. Moreover, by resisting you will only create more of what you do not want for yourself and your future.

You are nothing but a witness of change. So, it’s better to experience it, understand it, and enjoy it. You can change your whole life with these simple 4 words. Make this proverb your daily mantra and watch your life making a turn.