Tiny Wisdom: On Impermanence

“No feeling is final.” ~Rainer Maria Rilke

Most of the time, when we feel something overwhelming, it’s not just the feeling that weighs on us; it’s also the fear that it may persist.

That the deep sense of loss or longing will burrow a permanent hole in our hearts and we’ll never feel loved again. Or the disappointment will harden into an aching regret and we’ll never feel proud and excited again. Or the sadness will etch itself into our being and we’ll never feel happy again.

But everything eventually transforms. Happiness gives way to sadness gives way to happiness again. It’s a constant cycle we can’t ever pause. Even if we decide to avoid change at all costs, change will eventually find us.

Today, if you feel something you wish would go away, know that you won’t need to carry the weight of it forever. You just need to find the strength and patience to get through the difficult days as the feelings transform.

Huge golden Buddha image via Shutterstock