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I think this might be one of the least appreciated—if not the most annoying—phrases my children have heard me repeat. But isn’t it true? Whatever it is, it won’t always be this way. Sure, things might remain the same from day to day, but generally speaking, next week, next month, or definitely next year, circumstances will change. I started using this mantra to help ease their fears when they felt overwhelmed, helpless, or angry. One day, in the middle of my own struggle, one of them echoed it back to me. That’s how I knew it might be one of the most irritating things I’ve ever said. It turns out, it's just as true for me as it is for them.

It did provide some relief if they allowed themselves to believe it. While it didn’t alter their immediate circumstances, it helped them accept the present and look forward to better days. And there were indeed better days. But then I realized this principle applies not just to difficult times but also to good ones.

Life is a series of mountains and valleys. Remembering that "it won’t always be this way" is valuable in both scenarios. In the valleys, it offers hope and reminds us that better days are ahead. On the mountains, it serves as a reminder that challenges will eventually come our way, encouraging us to appreciate every moment and not take them for granted. By practicing this, we build a resilience that helps us navigate future challenges and maintain hope.

So if you’re struggling right now and feel like better times are a distant dream, remind yourself: it won’t always be this way. Conversely, if you’re enjoying a prolonged period of good fortune, be grateful and remember that this too won’t last forever. Difficult times will come, but by nurturing an attitude of gratitude, you’ll be better equipped to face them when they do.


An example from the past few days:

We received photos from our camp neighbor showing what happens when you forget to spray for weeds on a large lot. That was a couple of weeks ago. It looked pretty bleak then, but things have improved. It actually got worse before it got better, but a friend with some machinery came to the rescue and cleared the weeds before we arrived on this trip.

There will be good days and bad days at camp, a fact we’ve come to accept. Keeping the good days in mind and expressing gratitude—such as writing blog posts to remind ourselves—helps us stay positive and eager to return.













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