Gam Zeh Ya’avor

Gam zeh ya’avor (גם זה יעבור) meaning "also this will pass", or this too shall pass, is a Jewish concept that expresses the idea that every situation in life, whether painful or full of joy, is temporary, and that no state endures forever. This concept sends a clear message that the moment you are currently in, whether good or bad, is not permanent, and you should treat it as such trying to find both the chance for growth in suffering and humility in success.

In Jewish folklore, King Solomon is said to wear a ring engraved with ג–ז–י (gimel–zayin–yod), the initials of this phrase, to remind him not to despair in bad times and not to become arrogant when things go well. I wonder if we should try the same approach. Maybe a background for the computer or mobile phone, maybe morning meditation... Just a reminder.

Current times are hard and ask a lot from us, sometimes more than we feel we have the strength to give. Still, this will not last forever. For now, we just need to hold on and take it one step at a time. I choose to see this as a challenge to grow from because otherwise, I'd go crazy. For now I focus on shoshikantetsu, finishing what I've started and not quitting.

Hold tight, this too shall pass.