This, Too, Shall Pass

THIS, TOO, SHALL PASS


A printout of an old e-mail from a dear friend hangs beside my bed.

Among other things, the e-mail contained a prayer from a name I cannot recognize, and could not find online (it reads E.N. Forshey, to the best of my knowledge. Anyway, the prayer or poem is called "This, Too, Shall Pass."

I've always loved it, and I'd like to share it with others now.

"Dear God, How comforting to know this, too, shall pass, even though my mind and heart are troubled at this time.

I shall be patient and faith-filled, knowing Your spirit is working through all conditions in my life.

I shall wait undisturbed and confident, ignoring appearances and resting in the assurance that You will be my guide, my guardian.

Thank you, God.

I know nothing is impossible, all conditions will be right and good at the proper time,
And I will know!"

Hopefully that hasn't been mutilated too badly in its 3 or 4 passings!
Now, I am still not into the (traditional) 'god' thing, especially this country's crazy zealot-based hateful pick-and-choose version of it, but I do believe in something greater than me.

The power of a friend's love to give me hope. The power of compassion. The power of our own mind to heal. The awareness that a spiritual plane exists, and probably isn't all that concerned with how you spell or say 'its' name, what with it being omnipotent and all!

And one thing I have learned as I have faced down minor life issues (such as joblessness, loneliness, addiction, suicides of others, grief, my own feelings of worthlessness and despair, etc.) is that if I can ride it out, it does get better.

Depression is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Our mood and mind are altered, and we perceive all input as the same; pointless. The same possibilities that exist for others exist for us, if only we can see it.

Everything comes back around again, including fresh starts. And they can happen at any time, anywhere. If you don't know it from your own perspective, just accept the possibility that what I'm saying is right. My belief is hard won, and I've come through the mountain to get here.

If all you have left is yourself, then you still have a blessing. It's life. And it's okay to be discouraged and scared. If we could only understand how everyone else struggles with the same heartaches; some are just better at hiding it than others.

Sometimes a change of thinking can get us started on the right path. But will we accept our worth and virtue and hope... as vehemently as we have embraced our prior dark lot? How willing are you to be happy?

While you figure it out for yourself, hold on to these related songs and poems for a little realization that we all ride the same boat. Don't worry about what's being used for a life preserver, as long as it's a positive influence (god, the universe, your inner self, higher consciousness, fitness, nature, support groups, books, music, collective consciousness, etc.)

Namaskar!
Roberto

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This Too Shall Pass

If I can endure for this minute, Whatever is happening to me,
No matter how heavy my heart is, Or how dark the moment may be-
If I can remain calm and quiet, With all the world crashing about me,
Secure in the knowledge God loves me

When everyone else seems to doubt me-If I can but keep on believing,
What I know in my heart to be true,That darkness will fade with the morning
And that this will pass away, too-

Then nothing in life can defeat me, For as long as this knowledge remains,
I can suffer whatever is happening, For I know God will break all of the chains
That are binding me tight in the darkness, And trying to fill me with fear-
For there is no night without dawning, And I know that my morning is near

...Helen Steiner Rice

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The Buddha himself said: -When faced with all the ups and downs of life, Still the mind remains unshaken, Not lamenting, not generating defilements, always feeling secure, This is the greatest happiness.

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"This Too Shall Pass" by Yolanda Adams

In the middle of the turbulence surrounding you,
These trying times that are so hard to endure,
In the middle of what seems to be your darkest hour,
Hold fast your heart and be assured, This too shall pass,

Like every night that's come before it
He'll never give you more than you can bear
This too shall pass, So in this thought be comforted
It's in His hands, This too shall pass,

The Father knows the tears you cry before they fall
He feels your pain,
His heart and yours are one
The Father knows that sorrow's heavy chains are strong,
But with His strength, you'll overcome, This too shall pass,

Like every night that's come before it,
He'll never give you more than you can bear, This too shall pass.
So in this thought be comforted, It's in His hands,
This too shall pass, So set your eyes upon the mountain,
And lift your hands up to the sky,
And let His arms of love surround you,
And take you to the other side, This too shall pass.

Like every night that's come before it,
He'll never give you more than you can bear,
This too shall pass, So in this thought be comforted,
It's in His Hands This too shall pass



"This Too Shall Pass" Mark Lowry

Woke up this morning with the years I've spent
Hanging heavy on my mind.
At times I see So much in me,
I wish I'd left behind. But the one thing I've learned

As the years have turned, And they sure have traveled fast.

This too shall pass.
Chorus; This too shall pass.This too shall pass.

And the tears that fall like raindrops now
Will finally dry at last.This too shall pass.
Sometimes I'm laughing with a crowd of friends,
And still I feel alone.There's a place inside
Full of tears I hide, That I've only cried alone.

But I know that He's near,
And I know He hears,
And I know these tears won't last. This pain today
Will be swept away because This too shall pass.


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