Everything is transient in life, have fun and stay strong.

Byline: Annie Mathew

Life is never easy and it can beat you down a number of times. Each one of us develops or discovers a mechanism to survive the blows and come out stronger. I discovered mine in the darkest hours of my life. At a time when I was too young to comprehend the enormity and multi-faceted impact of losing someone very dear, destiny had pried away my father from me. As I sat at his wake, broken and despairing, I thought I could never be happy again. Through the haze of sorrow and anguish that enveloped me, I felt a gentle touch on my shoulder and a tearful voice whispering to me: 'This too shall pass'. As I sat there with a burden in my heart too heavy for me to bear, the voice continued, 'I understand your pain but this too shall pass. With time you will heal and the pain you feel now will give way for fond memories of happy times spent with your father'. I still wonder whether these words were really spoken to me or the phrase reached my subconscious mind in my half-wakeful state from the realms of time as nature's attempt at ameliorating misery.

At that point in time I refused to believe that I could be happy again and ever be my usual cheerful self. The days turned to nights, weeks to months, seasons changed . . the world moved on unaffected by the sufferings of its people. Gradually I came to terms with my loss, I accepted the inevitable and unbelievably the raw pain receded and was replaced by soothing memories. I had moved on and re-learnt to be happy again! This phrase has since stayed with me. The words capture the transient nature of the human state in all its entirety. Nothing in life is permanent, be it happiness or sorrow, suffering or cheer, success or failure. nothing is forever. In fact, life itself is ephemeral!

When we live with this advertence, life's travails become more bearable. 'This too shall pass' became the anthem of my life, my weapon in this unpredictable, evanescent life. This anthem gives me the courage to hold on during difficult times. I keep my...