“This too shall pass,” the legend that transformed the thinking of a king

Think and learn from the ancient legend “This too shall pass.”” It can be very useful to us. We know that our attitude towards problems, failures or everyday situations conditions what happens to us. So, The perception that everything passes is healthier than remaining emotionally anchored in a situation.

No matter how big and complicated something may seem to us, everything happens. Facing the situation, managing the emotions it generates in us or changing our thoughts knowing that the situation will pass are strategies that we can use to live with suffering while we are condemned to endure it as a traveling companion.

Let’s look at the legend and think about it.

Popular legend: this too shall pass

The popular legend “This too shall pass”” For some it may be an easy way to see problems; However, even though it is simple, it is still useful. Everything can change, and we can learn from any situation or person..

Legend has it that a king asked the wise men of his court for a special ring:

–I want you to make a beautiful ring and to hide in it a message that can help me in moments of despair. This message must be very brief to be able to register it.

Those scholars had written great treatises, but They didn’t know how to give him a two or three word message that could help the king. in those moments when I considered that this help could make a difference.

The monarch had an elderly servant whom he considered to be his own family, so he also consulted him. This, surprisingly, told him:

–I am not a wise man or a scholar, but I know the message you are looking for because a wise man shared it with me a long time ago.

The old man wrote three words on a small piece of paper, folded it and gave it to the king with the warning: “

-Don’t read it, keep it hidden in the ring. Open it only when you feel that everything has failed and you can’t find a way out of your situation.

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When you have failed, this too shall pass

The moment came very soon: the country was invaded by the adjacent nation and the king had to flee on horseback for his life while his enemies pursued him. He came to a place where the road ended at the edge of a cliff. He was at a crossroads where death awaited him at the end of all his decisions. Desperation overcame the king.

And then he remembered the ring. He opened it, took out the paper and there he found the following message: “This too shall pass”.

While he was reading that sentence, the enemies who were pursuing him got lost in the forest when they lost their way, and he soon stopped hearing the trotting of the horses. After that shock, the king managed to gather his army and reconquer the kingdom.

When you are celebrating: this too shall pass

Upon his return, there was a great celebration in the capital that lasted for several days. The monarch, remembering that desperate situation on the precipice and the subsequent victory, felt proud of himself and showed it to all his guests through his stories and toasts.

The monarch reached his old servant, whom he thanked for that providential pearl of wisdom. He told her how those words had helped her not to discover his position or to not jump off that cliff when everything seemed lost. He believed he had found the key to his strategy in the message on his ring.

However, the old man, although he shared his king’s joy, only said to him:

–Now look at the message again.

The king blinked, perplexed. He did not understand why he should look at the same message as he had already fulfilled his purpose. Noticing this confusion, the old man clarified:

-It is not only for desperate situations, but also for pleasant ones. It’s not just for when you’re defeated, it’s also useful when you feel victorious.. It’s not just for when you’re last, it’s also for when you’re first..

The king opened the ring and read the message: “This too shall pass”. Then, and only then, did he understand the depth of those words.

–Remember that everything circumstantial passes, either because it is left behind or because you get used to it –the old servant reminded him–. Only you remain, who remains forever.

How many times do we believe that there is no way out? Or that a negative situation will last forever? The legend of “This too shall pass” teaches us to relativize our problems so as not to cling to what, whether we are aware of it or not, will not last long. In both defeat and pride, the most important thing is to be aware that life only remains in memories.

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