This post was sponsored by Daria Day. Read on for a discount code.
This Too Will Pass
I associate the phrase, “This too shall pass,” with Lord of the Rings, but many assume it originated in the Bible.
In reality, it’s a Persian adage that made its way into the English-speaking zeitgeist in the mid-1800s. In 1859, Abraham Lincoln concluded a speech he gave to the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society with an admonition to see beyond these words to future progress (the Industrial Age was an optimistic time):
How much it expresses! How chastening in the hour of pride! — how consoling in the depths of affliction! “And this, too, shall pass away.” And yet let us hope it is not quite true. Let us hope, rather, that by the best cultivation of the physical world, beneath and around us; and the intellectual and moral world within us, we shall secure an individual, social, and political prosperity and happiness, whose course shall be onward and upward, and which, while the earth endures, shall not pass away.
It’s a particular irony that in less than two years, the Civil War would begin. I’m sure many did not feel prosperous during those brutal years, even if they were fighting for the right reasons. Lincoln’s right, though – the phrase is comforting. In the near-constant uncertainty of pandemic world, when my attempts to bolster my optimism wear thin, knowing that there is a future in which Covid-19 is all but eradicated and I can hug my friends again is the thread of hope to which I cling.
But perhaps Lincoln is also right that, while we’re over here trying to build up hope, we should hope for more. I don’t mean that we need to experiment with the newest agricultural technologies (that’s actually what his speech is about) or further exploit natural resources. I mean that we can consider how pandemic world has opened up new possibilities and exposed problems in greater detail. And we can see how our little tiny human selves can make a difference.
Daria Day’s This Too Will Pass Pendant
When the founder of Daria Day, Farrukh Lalani, reached out to me to collaborate on a post, I was immediately drawn to this pendant because of its name, but also because of its shape. There is something strong about the subtle point of the Calcite pendant, a cross between a spear and a tiger tooth. “This too will pass” sounds passive, but in the context of this powerful shape, it’s a reminder that transitions and transformation occur in the world through our own personal transformation. Even when it feels like we’re standing still, we are being whittled down and refined.
In the world of gemstones, Calcite is considered a symbol of new beginnings that clears out negative energy. The natural line that runs through some Calcite recalls a wound that has been healed (not all pendants will have this mark). This piece, which I also highlighted in my Gift Guide, would make a thoughtful gift, especially for someone you won’t be able to visit this Holiday season due to Covid restrictions.
About Daria Day
Daria Day stands out for its diverse collection of ethically mined and produced gemstone jewelry.
Daria Day works closely with the Rupani Foundation to ensure that their gemstones are sourced without exploitation. According to Farrukh, though Pakistan is rich in gemstones, most of them are mined under dubious circumstances and then smuggled out of the country. This means that local communities do not financially benefit. By keeping mining and production within the country, Daria Day can ensure that local artisans living in the foothills of the K2 Mountain receive fair wages for their product.
Founder, Farrukh, has a background in NGO work within the region. Canada is homebase for the Daria Day executive team.
The This Too Will Pass pendant comes in two sizes. Shop it here.
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