This too, will pass.

Wisdom from Abraham Lincoln

Today(Feb. 17th) is President’s Day which means that I’ll have to wait until tomorrow to complete my business at the post office. Unfortunately, I drove to the post office before I realized this. The good thing is however, that it reminds me of a saying that was one of Abraham Lincoln’s favorite quotes, it originates from an ancient Sufi legend.

“This too, will pass.”

As the story goes- There once lived a middle eastern king who was constantly tormented with the highs and lows of happiness and despair. His great highs would quickly turn into a devastating depression. This severe depression eventually led him in search of a remedy. So when the king heard of a wise man that lived in his kingdom who had attained enlightenment, he sent for him.

The king said to him, “I want to be like you. I will pay you anything you desire, If you can give me something that will bring balance, wisdom, and serenity to my life.”

“I may be able to help you,” the wise man said, “but the price is so great that your entire kingdom would not be enough to buy it. Therefore it will be a gift, if you will honor it.”

The king of course agreed. The wise man left, and returned weeks later with the gift. He presented the king with an ornate box carved from a pure jade stone. The box itself was not the gift, neither was the golden ring that the beautiful box held. The gift was the words that were engraved on the ring, “This too, will pass.”

When the king was presented with the gift he asked the wise man, “What is the meaning of this?”

The wise man replied, “Wear this ring always, and whatever happens, before you call it ‘good’ or ‘bad’ touch this ring and read the inscription. That way, you will always be at peace.”

I have read that Abraham Lincoln suffered from depression, ‘melancholy’ as it was referred to in those days. I’m no psychologist, so I do not pretend to understand what depression is. But I do understand the profound difficulty that is depression. I too have had to bear my own cross, as has my life partner.

Could it be that conquering his own personal war within, is what made Lincoln capable of saving our nation? We have no way of knowing what our current life situations are preparing us for. Looking back now I know that when I seemingly “lost everything,” what I actually acquired was far greater. I can’t tell you what that is right now, it would take a hundred essays. And most likely, your reward will be different, just as your path is different than mine.

But what I can tell you is that President Abraham Lincoln was right, as was that Sufi Sage. If we let any life situation, whether it be ‘good’ or ‘bad’ get the best of us, we will not have inner peace. “This too, will pass” doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t enjoy the joyful aspects of life, nor is it meant to keep us from suffering when things don’t happen as we wish. Those words are meant to help us zoom out, so that we can gain a more enlightened perspective of the situation. Maybe then we can appreciate the joyous moments a little more, or perhaps have a little more resolve because we know the unpleasant situation will indeed end.

Because as we all know, all things do work out in the end. It may not be the end we envisioned, but good can come from it. So remember, if things aren’t currently working out for you, you’re not at the end just yet. Or as another great American President, Theodore Roosevelt once said, “When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.”

What does- This too, will pass. -meant to you?

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