A young man once visited a wise monk in the mountains. His heart was full of questions, and his mind was restless from the constant ups and downs of life.

He sat in front of the monk and asked,
“Master, life confuses me. Some days I feel like everything is perfect, and other days I feel like nothing is in my control. I don’t know how to remain balanced. Tell me… what should I do when I’m extremely happy? And what should I do when I’m terribly sad?”

The monk smiled gently — the kind of smile that comes from years of understanding rather than words.
Instead of answering immediately, he handed the young man a small, plain ring.

“Read what’s written inside,” the monk said.

The boy looked closely. Etched inside were four simple words:
This too shall pass.

The boy looked puzzled.

The monk began to explain:

“Life is made of seasons. Happiness, sadness, success, failure — each one comes, stays for a while, and then leaves. When you’re filled with joy, remember that life will eventually change. Enjoy the moment, but do not cling to it. When you’re drowning in sadness, remember the same truth. Pain also has a short life. It may feel heavy now, but it won’t stay forever.”

He continued:

“If you hold onto happiness too tightly, you will fear losing it.
If you hold onto sadness too tightly, you will forget that joy can return.
But when you accept that everything is temporary, you begin to live in balance.”

The young man asked, “So how should I respond to these moments?”

The monk replied:
“Celebrate your joy without attachment.
Face your sorrow without despair.
Make decisions with a steady mind — not from excitement, not from fear.
True wisdom is not in controlling life’s seasons, but in staying grounded as they pass through you.”

The boy closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
For the first time, he felt calm — not because his problems vanished, but because he finally understood their nature.

The monk placed a hand on his shoulder and said softly:
“Remember the ring. Whenever life overwhelms you — whether with happiness or sadness — look at those words. Life is always changing. Nothing stays forever. This too shall pass.”