This too shall pass....

I’m not sure about all of you but I’ve had a pretty stressful start to 2025.? Much of this is goodness, some not, but generally there’s just a lot of ‘noise’ in the system right now.

And so I’ve been reminding myself of the old saying “this too shall pass”.

According to Wikipedia, this phrase comes from Persian descent about impermanence.? “It reflects the temporary nature, or ephemerality, of the human condition – that neither the negative nor positive moments in life ever indefinitely last.”? This definition gives me pause – highlighting for me the fragility of the moment, the fragility of relationships, the fragility of life.

We all feel stress day to day.? We’re all asked to make difficult decisions or face challenging odds.? We feel stretched beyond our human capacity to withstand – but every time, in the end, ‘this too shall pass’.? Conversely, we thrive on moments of joy, human love and connection, successes at work, beating odds or accomplishing difficult things.? And just as happens with the negative moments in our lives, ‘this too shall pass’ so we must embrace and hold on tight to these moments of brilliance while we can.

Which is why I intentionally reclaim my ‘zest for life’ each year – thinking about where I want to go, what I want to learn, who I want to spend time with, and what kind of impact I want to make.? Focus for me must be on the positive, forgiving myself for the failures or challenges I will undoubtedly face, and knowing that all of this matters more because of the people around me – my team at work, my friends and loved ones, my family – these are the people that will support me through to the other side of this amazing rainbow called life.

So while you’re sitting at your desk today, drowning in the noise of life – the whirlwind of politics, geopolitical instability, personal illness, financial hardships, lost loves, seemingly impossible challenges – just remember “this too shall pass”.