Nothing Lasts Forever

“Nothing lasts forever” I overheard my son say to his little sister today. I watched them, noticing the trust in her eyes and the certainty in his. I am grateful for these conversations and have discovered this wisdom in children that might surpass knowledge gained. The little seekers wanted to know more about this phrase we use often, particularly when something breaks or changes. Change can cause emotional reactions and I have found these teachable moments allow for real lessons in acknowledging feelings and creating awareness. Most of my responses begin with “I believe” as it is my greatest hope that while they make their own decisions, they don’t just hear my voice, but can recognize the voice inside of them that speaks their own truth.

Believing that nothing lasts forever means that something won’t forever stay just as it is. How we see and feel something will change because we are always changing. I whispered that I would always love them but the love would change. While inside of me, I loved feeling their movements and now love getting to know who they are each day. They smiled with contentment and went to play.

I was recently asked how I could be married yet believe that nothing lasts forever. I trust from the depths of my soul that I will be married for as long as we are both on this earth, but our marriage will not always look the same, it won’t last forever the way it began. That first carefree love has developed into a deeply connected love, especially now as we raise and are being raised by two incredible beings.

Each morning we may enter into our daily routine, yet what crosses our path, passes through our minds, and enters our hearts will be in constant change. Those changes may have an affect great enough to notice or may be faint like a soft ripple in still water. Perhaps in the moment we create the wave of change or we just choose how to ride it.

There is power in recognizing that resisting inevitable change may cause struggle. When we can really know that nothing stays as it is, maybe we can cling less and be happy more in each changing moment.

May you choose to ride the waves of change with awareness for what is momentarily offered and for gratitude at another chance to ride.