“The main message of the quote is meant to be comforting to those who hear the words strung together either in a poem, a speech, a song, or a fable, and it is supposed to let us all know that whatever we are experiencing or feeling at the moment, whether it is positive or negative, good or bad, happy or sad, “this too shall pass.”
A favorite quote of mine in the English language, originally adapted from Farsi / Persian centuries ago, has been used by both Sufi poets and American presidents alike to describe the impermanence of everything. The main message of the quote is meant to be comforting to those who hear the words strung together either in a poem, a speech, a song, or a fable, and it is supposed to let us all know that whatever we are experiencing or feeling at the moment, whether it is positive or negative, good or bad, happy or sad, “this too shall pass.”
The human condition is ever evolving and what we experience one moment, one hour, or one day can be drastically different later from what was before. Nothing is permanent as we all know because one of the first things we become sentient of is our own mortality and our own impermanence on Earth. While this can fill us with existential dread and despair, it can be a blessing too because the pain, the suffering, and other negative emotions we experience in this life are not for forever. Just as we can’t be experiencing euphoria in the form of only good things happening every moment of our life, the same can be said for having everything go wrong throughout life.
What happens to us in life is largely beyond our control but what we can control is how we react to life and its challenges. In addition, we should remind ourselves that tough times are not forever and if you stay in the game, you keep moving forward, you give yourself a chance of pulling yourself out of a bad rut or a down time. I find it healthy emotionally to remember the Persian and now translated to English saying of, “this too shall pass.” It is a good reminder for us all about the impermanence of all things we experience including life itself.
In addition, this quote of “this too shall pass” can be correlated to “carpe diem” because we must do our best to enjoy life despite its challenges because we never know how many days will be given to live this life. You may not know what life will throw your way day by day, but you should be prepared to make the most of it, to ‘seize’ it, and to have an impact on it in whatever way you can.
The impermanence of everything in life should make us savor the good moments more whenever they come to us. We can remind ourselves that the bad times don’t last forever too and that good times can be just around the corner if we believe in ourselves to turn things around. Being more grateful, more appreciative, more kind, and being a better person even when we don’t feel like karma or life itself is reflecting the good that we’re doing should not mean we stop trying. The reward of life is to live it to the fullest and to do it well even with the inevitable ups and downs, the highs and lows that come with it.
We must refuse to give up or surrender when the bad times in life challenge us, sometimes beyond what we would ever want to endure. We must believe in doing good and being good even when bad things or times happen to us. Life is a gift; however we are affected by existing and living day by day, we must make the most of it and to continue making our lives better even when times are tough on us. Those four words of “this too shall pass” have comforted people in different cultures and in different languages throughout the centuries.
The human condition is not the same day by day and what we experience today will not be what we experience tomorrow. Time can blend, routines can become suffocating, and experiences can become mundane in life, but it is up to you and you alone first to make changes to your life, to make different choices to how you react to life, and to form different habits that could make what looks like a permanent situation turn into a temporary blip in your life trajectory. We may think that we are on a set course, but we have agency, and nothing is permanent, and we can make our lives what we wish if we decide to act and make change to go from good to bad or bad to good depending on how we act on both our actions and choices.
“This too shall pass” is a timeless piece of wisdom that resonates deeply with the human experience and has done so for centuries. At its core, this universal phrase has served as a powerful reminder to all human beings of the impermanence of all things and of life itself. By acknowledging that both good and bad moments are fleeting, we cultivate a healthier and balanced perspective on life. When faced with the challenges life throws at us each day, remembering that “this too shall pass” helps us to endure the hardships with greater resilience, humility, and patience. It encourages us to stay grounded, knowing that difficult times will not last forever. This outlook can alleviate the weight of anxiety and stress, providing a sense of hope, belief, and a clear mind to navigate through life’s adversities.
Similarly, this kind of wisdom also teaches us to cherish the happy and joyful moments more fully, understanding that they are both precious and temporary. It fosters an appreciation for the present moment we are living in, urging us to savor the beauty and happiness we encounter even in a minute way. By internalizing this phrase in our lives, we become more mindful and grateful for the positive experiences in our lives when they occur.
Incorporating “this too shall pass” into our mindset every day can lead to a more balanced emotional and mental state. This quote promotes resilience by reassuring us during tough times and maximizing our joy by reminding us to live in the present, whether good or bad. Ultimately, this simple yet profound wisdom from earlier times in the history of humanity helps us embrace the ebb and flow of life with grace and humility, transforming how we approach both our triumphs and our trials.
