“This Too Shall Pass”

Different versions of this story are found in Jewish folklore and the works of Persian Sufi poets:

Once a king called his wise men together and asked them, “Is there a mantra which works in every situation, every circumstance, every place and time? One answer for every joy, every sorrow, every defeat and every victory? Something which can help me when no one is available to advise me?”

The sages were stumped. Then an old man spoke and the wise men created for the king a simple ring with this simple message etched on it: “this too shall pass.” In some versions of the story the message was written in Persian. In other versions, the ring had simply the Hebrew letters gimel, zayin, and yodh, which begin the words “Gam zeh ya’avor” (Hebrew: גַּם זֶה יַעֲבֹר‏‎, gam zeh yaavor), “this too shall pass.”

The ring comforted the king whenever he was distressed and humbled him whenever he felt fortunate.

Its message still rings true and works for us.

What are you coping with and going through? What has you worried? Today’s problems will soon be gone. You have survived struggles, setbacks and sorrows before. Why not witness today’s changes, take what comes and experience the present moment? “This too shall pass” calms us and gives us perspective.

But I want more than that. It is not enough and does not seem completely true. We are not mere victims or spectators of life. What we do matters. Let us say, “This too shall pass and what we do may last.” This world’s momentary problems and pleasures happen to us and pass away, but we can make a difference in the spiritual realm that is bigger than this world.

“This too shall pass” was one of Abraham Lincoln’s favorite sayings. Speaking before the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1859, he told the story of its origin and said, “How much it expresses! How chastening in the hour of pride! How consoling in the depths of affliction!” Then Lincoln ended the speech with hope that the nation was working toward a future world of “prosperity and happiness, whose course shall be onward and upward.” We can share his positive spirit when we know that we are working together towards a greater tomorrow and making a difference today.

As Helen Keller said, “It all comes to this: the simplest way to be happy is to do good.”

Let us enjoy and this celebrate this day.

The best things in life are nearest:

 Breath in your nostrils,

 light in your eyes,

 flowers at your feet,

 duties at your hand,

 the path of right just before you.

 Then do not grasp at the stars,

 certain that daily duties and daily bread

 are the sweetest things in life.  – Robert Louis Stevenson