Rajeev Verma
“Nothing is permanent. Do not burden yourself with excessive stress, because no matter how bad a situation may be, it will change.”
This simple sentence carries within it one of life’s deepest and most comforting truths. Human life constantly moves between happiness and sorrow, success and failure, hope and disappointment. It is a journey of continuous change. What exists today will not remain the same tomorrow—this is the eternal law of life.
Much of our stress is born from the illusion that our present circumstances will last forever. When sorrow arrives, we feel it has no end; when happiness comes, we try desperately to hold on to it. But nature grants neither permanent pain nor permanent pleasure. Time reshapes everything—seasons, relationships, situations, and even us.
History and nature both stand as witnesses to this truth. Empires once considered invincible eventually turned to dust, while those once seen as weak and helpless went on to shape history. No matter how dark the night is, morning is certain to arrive. This is why we must learn patience during difficult times and humility during good ones.
Stress increases when we fight not our circumstances, but our expectations. We want life to unfold according to our plans, at our pace, and in our favor. Yet life does not move for the convenience of one individual. The moment we accept this reality, stress begins to loosen its grip.
Indian philosophy repeatedly emphasizes the principle of impermanence. The Buddha taught that suffering arises from attachment—we cling so tightly to people, possessions, and situations that their change breaks us. When we understand that every state is temporary, sorrow loses its power to destroy us, and joy no longer inflates our ego.
This understanding does not mean we stop making efforts or trying to improve our conditions. It simply means that while we work hard, we do not torture ourselves over outcomes. Perform your duties sincerely, and change will come in its own time. When action is honest, transformation follows naturally.
One of the simplest ways to reduce stress is to live in the present moment. Regret over the past and anxiety about the future drain the beauty of today. In truth, this moment is all we truly have. What we do right now is what shapes tomorrow.
Difficult situations do not come to break us; they come to refine us. They teach patience, endurance, and inner strength. A person who remembers, “This too shall pass,” in every hardship gradually becomes emotionally strong and spiritually mature.
Stress weakens both mind and body. Constant worry not only disturbs mental peace but also damages physical health. Whenever your heart feels heavy, pause for a moment, take a deep breath, and remind yourself—“This situation is not permanent.” This single thought can light a flame of hope within.
Life is like a river. We cannot stop its flow, but we can learn how to swim. If we fear every wave, we will drown; but if we trust that waves change, we can reach the shore.
Ultimately, the essence of life lies in accepting change, releasing unnecessary pressure on ourselves, and learning from every phase. Remember, no night is so long that dawn does not arrive, and no sorrow is so permanent that it can stop life.
So do not weigh yourself down with excessive stress. No matter how bad a situation seems, it will change. Just as time has changed things before, it will do so again. And when you truly understand this, life becomes lighter, calmer, and infinitely more beautiful.
RAJEEV VERMA 