“And This Too, Shall Pass Away”

Let me start by sharing the entire quote: “It is said that once an Eastern Monarch charged his wise men to invent him a sentence, to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him with the words: ‘And this too, shall pass away’. How much it expresses! How chastening in the hour of pride! – how consoling in the depths of affliction. ‘And this too, shall pass away’. Everything I read these words I am reminded of how appropriate they are even centuries later.

No matter what it is, how it is, how you feel or how horrible life feels today, this too, shall pass away. The glory of triumphs, the celebrations and plannings, the winning, the losing, the false starts and mis steps, this too, shall pass away. Life is about handling the highs and the lows, the good times, the bad times, the sick times and even the bland times. No matter how hard we try to avoid or sustain any one situation, it will eventually pass away and allow another phase or situation to take it’s place.

I have talked this week to people who were diagnosed with Cancer, COVID, lost their jobs and got engaged. The ups and downs are part of this roller coaster ride. Sickness and health, love and loneliness all play a part in making us who we are. It is not what happens to us that shapes our lives, it is how we react and choose to learn the lessons these situations provide, THAT is what makes us.

‘And this too, shall pass away.’ Imprint those words on your soul and let them comfort and remind you to cherish each day and the gifts it brings. None of us know what tomorrow will bring, now is the time to put everything into perspective. And this too, shall pass away.