This Too Shall Pass: Finding Hope and Resilience in AA
Here is another article on popular AA slogans. Right behind “One Day At A Time,” this was easily my most used slogan to stay sober. If this slogan had tires, I would have gone through many sets of them. The slogan “This too shall pass” is a simple yet profound saying that has comforted countless individuals facing adversity, frustration, or any seemingly unmanageable situation.
This slogan is especially important to those in recovery as we face the challenges of building a new life. Its message is clear: no matter how challenging a situation may seem, it is temporary and will eventually change. It does not deny pain or joy but puts them in perspective.
The phrase appears throughout our culture and has inspired art, literature, and music. Poets have woven it into verses about the impermanence of life, while musicians have echoed its wisdom in lyrics about resilience and change. It is found in movies like “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.” Even motivational speakers make liberal use of the slogan. Larry Fleet and Zach Williams sing a moving song that captures the phrase’s meaning. I have included a link below for you to enjoy.
One of the main appeals of this phrase is its universal applicability to various situations. The phrase reminds us that emotions and events are transient, from the heartbreak of lost love to getting through an infant’s sleepless night to the stress of a complicated exam. There is a flip side to the phrase as well. When we are on top of the world, and everything is going right for us, we must remember that “This too shall pass.” For us in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), this can be an instant lifeline.
As nearly everyone in Alcoholics Anonymous, we are likely to experience cravings, triggers, frustrations getting back on our feet, dealing with our past, or many other situations where repeating this slogan can help steady us and build our resilience. Alcoholism is a cunning, baffling, and powerful disease and will take any opportunity of unrest to urge us towards relapse. Use the slogan as a mantra if needed, repeating it again and again to protect your sobriety.
The exact origins of the slogan are debated, but one popular story traces it back to ancient Persian folklore. According to legend, a powerful king who wanted to be prepared for life’s ups and downs asked his wise men to create something that would bring him comfort in both good and bad. After a time, they presented him with a ring inscribed, “This too shall pass.” The king found comfort in the inscription, remembering in moments of triumph that his success wouldn’t last forever and in times of despair that his suffering would eventually end.
In the Western world, the phrase gained traction in the 19th century, partly due to Abraham Lincoln. In an 1859 speech, Lincoln shared a similar story, attributing the words to an Eastern monarch and describing it as a reminder of life’s impermanence. I can imagine that Abe used this slogan frequently during his presidency.
Especially early in recovery, when life often feels chaotic and uncertain, repeating to oneself, “This too shall pass,” can provide a calming sense of stability. Repeat it early and often between AA meetings. Beyond recovery in everyone’s lives, its message endures: life is ever-changing, and we can navigate its challenges and joys with patience and perspective.
Here is a great song by Larry Fleet and Zach Williams!