Impermanence

 

                                Impermanence

We all encounter unexpected events or situations in life—some bring us joy, while others deal us a heavy blow. These can arrive without warning: a sudden layoff, a family emergency, a chance discovery of a large sum of money, or the unexpected gift of something valuable. But in truth, these events themselves are neither good nor bad. It is our emotions that are stirred by them.

This is what each of us, sooner or later, experiences in life—impermanence.

It might be the sudden loss of a loved one, the quiet end of a relationship, or a drastic change in a familiar environment. In those moments, we begin to realize that nothing in this world is guaranteed to last. Impermanence is not a threat—it is a revelation of the true nature of life.

As the Zen knowledge says: “All compounded things are impermanent; they arise and pass away.” Everything in existence is temporary and constantly changing. From the shifting seasons to the ebb and flow of emotions, from the people who come and go in our lives to the changes in our inner world—everything completes its journey through movement.

Accepting impermanence is the first step in relieving suffering.

So often, we cling tightly—to love, to stability, to youth, to certainty—hoping the people we cherish will never leave, that our work will always be secure, that our emotions will never change. But the tighter we hold, the more painful it is when we inevitably lose. We long for permanence, yet life only ever offers change.

When we begin to understand that what we call "loss"is simply a form of completion, and what we call "ending" is the beginning of a new path, we can meet each change not with resistance, but with reverence.

Impermanence often feels like a spontaneous opportunity designed for the soul’s evolution.

It is precisely because of impermanence that we are given the chance to start over, to let go of old wounds, and to welcome new connections. Impermanence also reveals the flaws we may overlook in times of stability—especially in the steadiness and resilience of our mindset, as well as our ability to adapt to external changes.

That's why, when someone has walked through the trials of impermanence, something within them often seems to have quietly transformed

Just as flowers wilt and spring gives way to summer, every chapter of our lives passes like drifting clouds in the sky. There is no need to fear loss or cling to what must eventually go. By letting go of the "shoulds" and "musts" in our hearts, we learn how to truly flow with the rhythm of life.

To dance with impermanence is to know true freedom.

Impermanence reminds us to treasure the present, to live fully in the now. It asks us to let go of unrealistic expectations of others and to stop burdening ourselves with unreachable standards. Every encounter is a fleeting blessing. Every day is a once-in-a-lifetime gift.

When we make friends with impermanence, our hearts grow gentler. We stop rushing to find all the answers, and instead, learn to walk patiently through all of life's questions.

May you and I both learn to greet change with grace, to say farewell with peace, and to move forward with calm. Impermanence is life's tender reminder: everything is flowing—and love has never truly left.

#live in the present  #self awareness