Photo Credit
A student went to his meditation teacher and said, “My meditation is horrible! I feel so distracted, or my legs ache, or I’m constantly falling asleep. It’s just horrible!”
“It will pass,” the teacher said matter-of-factly.
A week later, the student came back to his teacher.
“My meditation is wonderful! I feel so aware, so peaceful, so alive! It’s just wonderful!”
“It will pass,” the teacher replied matter-of-factly.*
I did it!Β I broke the spell that has been keeping me away from exercising. I’m taking walks in the sun and moving my body more and more each day!
During my exercise hiatus my mom kept telling me “this too shall pass”. My authentic voice kept repeating those words…this too shall pass…this too shall pass. This phrase reminded me that the only constant in life is change and that we must embrace, be aware, and learn from the ups and downs of life.
Are you down in the dumps or flying on high?
Remember to be aware and to gather life lessons, because regardless of where you are on your journey…this too shall pass.
*Zen Story Credit
I love the story, Stacey. “This too shall pass” is one of my favourite sayings and I actually wrote a post about it two months ago!
http://www.joyfuldays.com/2008/10/this-too-shall-pass/
Hey is this your new blog design? It looks cleaner, everything seems bigger and brighter, and your photo is radiant! I like this look very much.
Daphnes last blog post..Why You Should Trust Your Instinct
Hi Stacey. Hey good for you on breaking that spell! I don’t think I’m down in the dumps or flying on high. I’m coasting along and checking out the view π Speaking of the view… things look different here? Did you change your theme or something??? Whatever you did, it looks great!
Davinas last blog post..The Quote Effect: Naughty, Nice & Niche Bloggers
It’s kind of like there is an ebb and flow to life. We’ll have good days, and we’ll have bad days… “This too shall pass” – a good reminder, Stacey.
Lances last blog post..And The Word Isβ¦
I went running 3 miles this morning. Haven’t done any exercise over the holidays. Instead of feeling guilty and bad about it, I figured I am the only one who can do something about it and then I did it. And it felt so good. It will surely pass, but in the meantime I am savoring it π
Daphne β Iβm off to read your post!
Davina β Coasting along sounds like a wonderful ride. And yes, I have a new look to my home on the blogosphere. Thanks for the feedback.
Lance β Yes! Life is continually changing.
Mindful Mimi β Thank you for commenting. You are an inspiration for getting up and taking action.
I love exercising. Right now I’m on a roll of 5 days in a row!
Some say don’t don’t get too high or too low. I subscribe to the not too low philosophy but I still love to soar.
Tom Volkar / Delightful Works last blog post..Be Authentic and Grow Rich
“This too shall pass” always has & always will! I used it so many times when I worked as a psychologist. I used it while living in AZ for the past year. It was very lonely not knowing anyone. Finally about eight months after the move the lonliness passed and I had 3 good friends.
Tess The Bold Lifes last blog post..26 Ways to Love Life
That is the truth – change is the only thing we can count on! We hold on so tightly to both the good and the bad, mostly out of fear, I think, but if, as Lance said, we can ebb and flow, life may actually appear like much less of a struggle.
Stacey Shipmans last blog post..A (Brief) History Behind Let it Flow
I’ve been thinking a lot about the ups and downs in life, and specifically how I deal with them. Often my response is mechanical, like if I’m down, something is wrong with me. I try to fix me by telling myself that “the wrong” is a figment of my imagination–that it’s something I can control. The simple truth is the down times are part of life, and dealing with them is natural. We need to flow with them like breathing, not fight them like a disease.
I need to get my heart pumping..Thanks for the reminder to make a commitment to exercise, Stacey! All the best to you..
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Tom β Good for you on your 5 days of exercising!
Tess β I use this mantra too when I need it most.
Stacey Shipman β I agree. Instead of struggling itβs important to go with the flow and to be in the moment.
Ryan β Sometimes, the down times can provide us with opportunities for breakthroughs.
BC β Heart pumping is great for your body, mind, and spirit.
This too shall pass is a great mantra. You might have observed it, most older people seem to be more balanced and equanimous than younger people. I suppose that this comes with experience and the lessons learnt from them. I rarely go into the dumps or fly high as my current life style is rather quiet.
rummusers last blog post..Evolution Of Music.
It’s all very transient, isn’t it? That’s why I try to really enjoy the good moments, and not get too wrapped up in the bad moments.
Urban Panthers last blog post..Weight gain is clearly his fault
“this too shall pass”
so right … yet we tend to forget, getting so engrossed in the here and now and making ourselves stuck in it. It IS an ebb and flow … that we need to flow with … observe ourselves as flowing with … it’s through the struggle against that we sink and possibly drown.
A wonderful post ~ I needed it today, so thank you!
And yes, it’s looking great in here – not sure what precisely the changes, but is looking open and spacious, warm and welcoming. Nice π
LOVE that joke. And I can just see that matter-of-fact expression on the older guy as he delivers that last line.
A walk in the sun begins with just one step, well, and putting on the sneakers helps too. And to actually breathe in the fresh air and touch the leaves on trees as I walk past is a gift enough for me.
Currently my mood is up and good, did my walk this a.m. Not feeling even all that guilty over the 6 small chocolate chip and walnut cookies I ate after my walk.
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Congrats on resuming your exercise routine! It feels great to exercise, doesn’t it?
Rummuser β Itβs one of my favorite mantras!
Urban Panther β βThatβs why I try to really enjoy the good moments, and not get too wrapped up in the bad moments.β β that sounds like great advice.
Bettina β You are right. There needs to be a balance between being in the moment and recognizing the moment will pass.
Jannie β Walking in the sun shifts my any negative perspectives I have every time.
Vered β Yes! It feels so great to be exercising again.
Hi Stacey: Well, I’m glad you’re over your exercise slump π The only constant is change . . .
I just wrote about being in the dumps ….
That is the only truth that keeps me afloat during the hard times – this too shall pass π
Mayas last blog post..Preparing to Believe in Yourself: The Science of Ditchiness
This too shall pass is a quote I have frequently used in my life. I must admit, however, there have been many times when I wish “this” would pass faster.
Congratulations on getting back to your exercising AND finding the way that works best for you.
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Marelisa β Thanks!
Maya β Iβm off to read your words.
Sara β I think sometimes we all wish βthisβ will pass faster.
Nicely put.
I like that seasons change and life is more of a roller-coaster or a river than a lake.
Sure there’s ups and downs, but without the downs, I’m not sure I’d get just how good the ups are (good ol’ Principle of Contrast)
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the last few days I have forced myself outside and the sun has done wonders for my mood and focus π
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Hi Stacey – that’s such a valuable insight – to know that things will pass. Or if we aren’t too happy, everything may well look better in the morning! Glad you are back in the exercising flow! – R
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J.D. β I can always count on you to provide this group with quality principles for life!
Annette β Yes! We love the sun!
Robin β Exactly! My son is home with the stomach flu and I keep telling him βthis too shall passβ.
This is a very powerful quote that I’ve found useful to remember. It’s great as a reminder for those who are facing difficulties that appear long drawn.
Good for you about getting started on an exercise routine. I hope to get started on a plan myself next week!!
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Evelyn – I can’t wait to hear about your exercise routine!
Hi Stacey, thanks for reminding that we must change always. Everything in this world is all change, each second, even it is a dead thing.
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Arswino – Navigating through change is the reality of life because, as you said, we are always changing.
so very true.
and a phrase Id gotten away from/forgotten AND NEED.
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Great phrase, I have one I’ve picked up lately that has the similar theme. It is, “It could be much, much worse.”
That puts a lot of relief into any situation, in the same way. Very useful to find something to reframe things with though.
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