A moment in time fades, all moments fade.

One minute your kitchen is full of people, their energy filling the room with laughter, chattering voices, cheeks flushed with wine — interaction, energy, connection, and then it fades. The conversation slows, yawns overtake laughter, wine-flushed cheeks hold up sleepy eyes. One by one, guests leave the table. Hugs ensue; thank-yous, goodbyes, and take-cares. Dishes are cleared of the lovingly prepared meal. Half-finished bottles of wine dot the table, the rush of the dishwasher humming in the background. The stove cleared of pots and pans — scrubbed clean. The leftovers packed neatly away in the fridge. The moment has ended.

All moments end — good or bad, happy or sad — all fleeting. Why do we often fail to see how quickly we move from one moment to the next? We are in constant motion, and with our movement, our feelings shift, as well. We feel pain or fear or dread or anger or some other emotion we perceive as negative and, distracted by those feelings, we forget the very next moment may unfold beautifully in an entirely different way.

The phrase, “this too shall pass” is an age-old adage with Persian roots which serves to remind us everything is temporary — every feeling, every situation, every moment. So, if you find yourself in a moment of intense pain or utter joy, try to pause, take a deep breath, absorb and appreciate the here and now with the knowledge that in a moment it will be but a memory.