This Too Shall Pass

The Magic Ring

A powerful king instructed a council of sages to create a magic ring with the power to make him happy when he is sad.

After some deliberation, the sages presented a ring engraved with four simple words: "This too shall pass."

The king was delighted, for it was an encouraging reminder that momentary troubles are only temporary.

However, the magic ring also became a discouraging curse for the king, for it reminded him that all of the wealth, wisdom, and power he enjoyed were also temporary.

This Too Shall Pass

While preparing an assembly program for a group of 2500 Arizona high school students, I invited them to respond to a brief survey, and their responses were used to create a presentation relevant to their specific needs. This survey included two questions:

1. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be and why?
2. What challenges are you currently facing that might get in the way of making this positive change?

I received hundreds of thoughtful responses from these students—responses that talked about anxiety and stress, insecurity and a lack of confidence, fear of failure, a poor outlook on life, lack of discipline, social justice concerns, and so forth. But by far the most common response was this: “I wouldn't change anything about my life.”

At first, the prevalence of this response made me very happy for these students—thrilled to hear their lives are going so well. But then I became concerned, because I thought about the four simple words engraved on that magic ring: “This too shall pass.”

Flowing Current

The story of the magic ring is a cautionary tale for anyone who doesn’t welcome change—because whether they want it or not, change is coming.

As the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said: “No man ever steps in the same river twice—for it is not the same river and he is not the same man.”

This is an apt analogy considering the nature of a river’s current, which etymologically refers to "that which flows"—as in, a flowing current. However, we also use the word current as a reference to “the present time”—as in, currently happening.

In other words, we are in a state of constant flow, and when we do not welcome change and instead fight the current—whether through acts of omission or commission—this resistance damns growth, sowing seeds of ruin.

So while I am thrilled for those students who believe they are perfect just as they are, I do wonder what they will do when change flows their way. What will they do when they leave high school and everything is different? What will they do 10, 30, or 50 years from now when “this too shall pass?”

Initiating & Managing Change

There are two strategies to use when addressing change and the strategy we use will depend on the category of change we are facing:

Default Changes are the changes we don’t want to have happen, but they happen anyway. Changes within this category are managed:

• we assess abrupt changes to our current state of affairs,
• take stock of our knowledge, skills, resources, and support,
• create a plan for moving forward by shoring up our disadvantages,
• and then take consistent and reflective action.

Design Changes are the changes we want to have happen, and we make them happen. Changes within this category are initiated and managed:

• we assess the current state of affairs,
• look for opportunities,
• take stock of our knowledge, skills, resources, and support,
• make calculated predictions,
• create a plan for moving forward by taking advantage of our opportunities,
• and then take consistent and reflective action.

Notice how both strategies look strikingly similar. The key difference is that design changes are initiated before they need to happen—by taking advantage of opportunities (acts of commission)—and default changes are managed in reaction to what happened because we have to (often due to woeful acts of omission).

To promote growth and enhance the chances of success, encouraging leaders engage in acts of commission—by taking advantage of opportunities that lead the way for positive change. By contrast, discouraging leaders engage in acts of omission—failing to be proactive by resisting the current of change, damning their growth, and sowing the seeds of potential ruin.

Reflection

1. Up until now, how have you been resisting the current of change?
2. What can you do to initiate positive change in your life?
3. How will you manage the changes you face, whether you want them to happen or not?

Final Thoughts

It’s okay to enjoy and celebrate life just as it is, like those students at that Arizona high school. But even “this too shall pass,” for we are in a state of constant flow, and when we do not welcome change and instead fight the current in favor of stagnation, this resistance damns our potential and prevents positive growth.

To avoid the pitfalls of discouraging leadership, I encourage you to initiate and manage positive change by assessing the flow of your current state of affairs, looking for opportunities, and then engaging in consistent and reflective action to row, row, row your boat gently down the stream—merrily leading the way to individual, team, and community growth.

Want More?

Jonas Cain, M.Ed. is a storyteller, magician, musician, and facilitator of fascination. Through his company, Hashtag Positivity, he engages, empowers, and encourages individuals, teams, and communities to experience abiding joy—at work, at home, and wherever life takes you. Connect with Jonas today to discuss your challenges, goals, and obstacles: jonas@hashtagpositivity.com