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This blog is another opportunity to feel grateful. Thank you, Universe, for continuing to bless me with recovery and health.
‘This Too Shall Pass’. 4 simple words, remind us that none of the transient nature whether joyous or distressing stays for life. The extraordinary Persian saying emphasizes the impermanence of life situations and the inevitability of change.
This adage offered solace with its enduring presence and resonated during my rare health crisis.
I wish to begin with a short story that serves as a reminder that nothing in life is permanent. Its powerful impact is a fascinating testament that encourages comfort. Such timeless pearls of wisdom never make one feel hurried or crowded.
Once upon a time, there is a young lad, Rachit. He is on a perilous journey moving places in quest of true wisdom.
He walks during the mornings and evenings and takes shade during the midday heat. Each day, the punishing sun tests his resolve, and the cold nights whispers to give up. But his spirit moves among the willows at night and makes up his mind even more fearless.
He continues….
After an exaggerated walk, he reaches a small coastal village. On enquiring about food and shelter, people acknowledge that a man named Isaac is known to be kind and hospitable.
As expected, the boy is graciously welcomed by Isaac in his mansion and is given to eat and a place to stay. With time they become loyal companions.
Soon it is time for Rachit to bid goodbye. As a gesture, Isaac mentions a few words of unparalleled wisdom that says, ‘This too shall pass’.
Rachit is naive to understand what his newborn friend’s gift and genius mean. However, they graciously accept their lives taking different paths.
They continue…
Days pass into years and now Rachit turns into a young man yet his quest for true wisdom lives on.
Random contingencies, such is life, isn’t it?
Rachit happens to cross the same village and remembers Isaac. He again asks for the way to his house, but this time discovers that Isaac shifted geographies to the next village. People tell him that Isaac now works for the chief of the village.
Rachit decides to walk his way to meet his old friend however is surprised to learn that Isaac works as a servant with the chief.
The news shocked Rachit as Isaac was quite affluent, lived a life marked by abundance, and owned a mansion. His social calendar was filled with events and charity balls. Philanthropy often played a significant role in his life. But now is almost in shambles.
However, Isaac welcomes his old friend with the same wry and shares how a natural disaster in the form of a flood turned his life upside down. Both the friends share many of their life stories.
However, after a couple of days, it is again time for Rachit to leave. They hug each other and as always Isaac whispers,” Don’t worry my friend, ‘This too shall pass’’.
Rachit doesn’t make sense yet is shocked to feel an indefinable texture of calmness in those words.
They continue their respective journeys……
After years, once again destiny crosses their ways. Rachit happens to revisit the same town but this time to discover that Isaac has passed away. He feels numb and shocked and grieves for the loss of his lovely mate.
He visits Isaac’s grave to reflect on and honour their memories. It is a moment of stillness, filled with sadness, gratitude, and a sense of connection beyond his physical realm.
Suddenly Rachit sees the carved words on the grave, which states ‘This too shall pass’.
By now, Rachit has turned old and gathered a reputation of a wise man. His discipline and years of dedicated practice helped him achieve spiritual growth. He understood that the search for wisdom is a lifelong endeavour.
The revelation became clear of what Isaac was trying to communicate.
One day Rachit receives a letter from the King’s court asking for help. The letter mentions that the king has recently lost his immediate family. He feels extremely anxious, way beyond the traumas of wars, invasion, and conquest, and finds no solace.
Rachit replies to the king’s letter.
The king was a ripe soul and had an instant smile on his face. Tears rolled down his cheeks on reading the golden words, ‘This too shall pass’.
The words felt like fire and their heat seared through his sorrow. It left behind an embracing change with mindful awareness and humility. The king had an ever-lasting smile whenever he saw the letter.
Rachit had learned the true wisdom. Everything is time-bound and receptive to change. Time is a great healer therefore stay anchored.
My Rare Health Crisis
In 2016, I was diagnosed with a rare disease called Isaacs’ Syndrome. Isaacs’ is a neuromuscular health condition that stems from muscle hyperactivity. In the process, I also discovered that I had Lyme disease. Lyme is a bacterial illness that gets transmitted through ticks.
Glaucoma also accompanied me. Glaucoma is an eye-related disease that damages the optic nerves. And Membranous Glomerulonephritis is a progressive kidney disease. I faced tremendous issues with my gut, stomach acid, and digestive enzymes. During my journey, I also developed Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Diabetes, Frozen Shoulder, Eczema and Blood Pressure.
The way the extrinsic stimulus unfolded evoked a shocking biological response for me.
As you might surmise, these diagnoses altered the course of my life irrevocably. Suddenly, I was sitting on my bed with packets of pills stacked up nearby and every day revolving around managing chronic symptoms. Despite all the required support, I struggled to see a way forward.
It felt like I lost myself. I poured out all my despair and hurt feelings at God. One question that popped up on the screen of my mind was – why me?
The symptoms were visible and played a havoc way before the actual diagnosis was done. My notorious symptoms led to a heightened sense of uncertainty. The situation made me vulnerable to creating further complications. Though my symptoms and medical conditions weren’t that easy to diagnose but I wasn’t even reaching any conclusion.
My prescription was a huge list with a daily of 42 pills. During my journey, I even developed Blood Pressure and Diabetes. Also, acute problems with my gut, stomach acid, and digestive enzymes.
The entire transformation from being normal to rare and then living with it isn’t easy.
Discovering Solace and Wisdom
Stories can be a powerful source of solace and perspective in the face of uncertainty. A meaningful story can move us closer to self-acceptance and be motivating.
I was fortunate for my friend’s visit during one of my hospitalizations. He narrated the above story that found resonance in the realm of my mental health. It offered a beacon of hope for my emotional upheavals during my health crisis.
The adage “This too shall pass” served as a gentle reminder that my health situation was temporary. It encouraged a sense of hope that as moments of joy are fleeting, so too the times of sorrow. The acknowledgment that struggles don’t last forever is quite comforting, looking forward to good times.
Applying the Adage to My Rare Health Crisis
I tried navigating my health crisis with positive psychology with the help of some practical steps:
- First things first. Prioritizing self-care can foster well-being. A healthy lifestyle, engaging in hobbies, and seeking professional help can do wonders. Also, practicing relaxation techniques and enough physical work can help build resilience.
- It is very important to Accept the crisis. I recognized that it was an out-of-control situation and therefore accepted the facts to deal with it better.
- Having said that, I created plans for what was within control and took active steps.
- For me, celebrating little things, fostered a sense of achievement and motivated me to do better with my plans.
- Complete denial of negative thoughts and information about illness is unrealistic. However, my family helped me practice cautious optimism to stay positive.
- Social support is quite crucial. It provides the required guidance and emotional comfort needed to fight challenging times. Also, a lot of day-to-day practical assistance can be well managed by having the help of the right people.
These steps could be exhaustive depending on the situation from person to person. But a proper framework can help maintain a positive outlook during challenging times. It is also important to note that none of these practices is a substitute for medical treatment. This acts as a support system for a gradual mindset shift as one embraces the impermanence of their situation
Conclusion
In summary, a rare health crisis can lead to significant challenges in maintaining a normal quality of life. For me, it brought considerable mental and physical health impacts which affected my life.
The adage “This Too Shall Pass” carries a profound message that resonates with anyone enduring hardships. It serves as a beacon of hope and a reminder that everything is subject to change.
This affirmation acted as a mantra, amid my rare health situations. With all the medical interventions and the emotional imbalance, it acted as a ground of knowledge. It ensured a transformative future with the help of adequate steps.
Having said that the adage instills immense patience and hard work towards healing and growth.
I encourage the readers to let this timeless saying be a beacon of hope through your rough times. It encourages us to be patient and embrace the impermanence of our struggles. Please remember that every adversity when dealt with wisdom, enforces the belief that brighter days lie ahead.
DISCLAIMER
The views expressed above in this article are the author’s own and do not represent any kind of medical advice.
