Mindset story: 4 words that get you through the emotional highs and lows

Once upon a time, there was a leader named Freddie. He was wise, admired, and capable of making great decisions, yet he often found himself caught in the emotional highs and lows of life. At times, he would be so filled with joy and excitement that he made impulsive, reckless choices. Other times, he would fall into deep despair, unable to see a way forward. His loyal associate, Mara, had watched Freddie struggle with these emotional swings. She cared deeply for him and wanted to help. So, she designed and forged a simple yet elegant ring for him to wear at all times. She believed this ring would serve as a reminder, a tool to keep him grounded in both the good times and the bad. Curious, Freddie held the ring and turned it over in his hand. “How does it work?” he asked. Mara smiled knowingly. “Wear it always, and in moments when you feel lost whether in despair or in celebration look at it. The ring will show you the answer, and you will know what to do.” Freddie was skeptical but accepted the gift with gratitude. Not long after, Freddie received terrible news. A trusted associate came rushing in with a grim report that the company they had built together had just suffered a major financial loss. The situation seemed hopeless. Panic set in. Freddie felt the weight of failure pressing down on him. His thoughts spiraled as he thought about what would happen to his employees? Had all his hard work been for nothing? As he sat alone at the end of the day, exhausted from frantic phone calls and desperate meetings, his fingers absentmindedly touched the ring. It was then that he noticed the engraving inside four simple words he hadn’t seen before: “This too shall pass.”

Freddie paused. He read the words again and again. A sense of calm washed over him. He realized that no matter how bad things seemed in the moment, they would not last forever. Challenges come and go. The only thing he could do was face the situation with courage and wisdom. With renewed energy, he went home and allowed himself a good night’s rest, trusting that the storm would eventually pass. And indeed, the next morning, an unexpected phone call led to a series of new opportunities. A meeting turned into a partnership, and before long, the company signed a new contract that not only recovered their losses but brought in even greater success than before. The crisis had passed. Relief and joy filled the office. Elated, Freddie gathered his partners, employees, and clients for a grand celebration. The company flourished, and for several days, they reveled in their success. Music played, laughter filled the air, and Freddie felt on top of the world. Yet, in the midst of the festivities, as he raised a glass in triumph, his fingers brushed against the ring once more. The words were still there, “This too shall pass.” He stopped for a moment and let the words sink in. Just as failure had not lasted forever, neither would this moment of glory. Success, like hardship, was temporary. He realized that if he let himself be carried away by his victories, he might lose sight of the wisdom that had helped him overcome his struggles. With a deep breath, he smiled to himself. The ring was right. The key to a steady and fulfilling life was to remain balanced, to never let despair consume him nor allow success to make him reckless. Instead, he would embrace every moment with humility and wisdom, knowing that everything in life, good or bad is only temporary. And so, Freddie became a wiser leader, one who no longer feared his emotions but understood them. He learned to face every hardship with patience and every triumph with gratitude, always remembering the lesson of his simple yet powerful ring. “This too shall pass.”