That everything is temporary and change is the only constant.

I remember always believing in the happily ever after. But once awareness creeps in, you realise there is no ever after. Everything is in the now. Happiness is the state of our very being. We start believing we need to achieve something in order to feel happy. On the contrary, it is the feeling of contentment and gratitude that brings happiness. It is awareness and acceptance that restores that happy spirit.

And yet, some of our most difficult times remain most misunderstood. We get so busy chasing and amassing everything tangible, we forget this body that we live in, has an expiry date too. It just doesn’t come printed on packaging. Oops, we are not born with one!

Each time I feel miserable, I remind myself how temporary everything is. Especially this body. However, temporary is not a license to stop working or being independent. It just means, live your life to the fullest, without worrying about the outcome. This fascinating point mentioned in the Bhagwad Geeta intrigued me for many years. I never understood it. I would get into debates of all sorts with people, dissecting the line logically.

But when you have gone through plenty of experiences where your effort as a human was flawless but defeat became your only friend, this line starts to make sense. There is also a prayer about asking God to give strength to accept what is beyond one’s control.

Nothing is permanent except existence.

P.S. When you go through enough, the only way out is freedom. Freedom comes from surrender and knowledge. Knowledge that change is the only constant. And everything is temporary. Happiness is our very nature and adding accomplishments is not the key to a happily ever after. Because the only thing that enjoys the ever after is existence or consciousness!