In the ‘80s, when working internationally, it came back to me as a good sig line on e-mail messages (telexes, in those days) or memos to friends and colleagues around the world. If they asked about it, the answer was geared to them. Different meanings for different people.
Then it went low again until the demons and disasters of the late ‘90s came roaring in. Resurrected it to give encouragement to people struggling through hellacious times. Sad side was that those who needed to hear it most, derided it most.
In the 2000’s, it came back, once more, as my sig line on work e-mails. Just a bit of “Human Resources trying to keep it human”, as we would say. I was chastised by a senior leader who said I needed to stop using it because it sounded religious. (He was also the one who told me I shouldn’t advocate for Veterans Day because we would be seen as promoting war.). I explained the background of the phrase to him, and he came to understand (and also supported the Veterans Day celebration) but I cut back using it anyway.
Now, in these days, it seems needed again. With nasty politics and wars all around us, a general negativity in media, and a national trend to find blame and fault before hope and good, it seems needed again. A world where cynicism and sarcasm overtake optimism, respect and kindness. The United State is anything but united, and people are not Americans as much as they are (you fill in the blank ).
Anyway, it is certainly spiritual, but it is mainly aimed at you, as an individual, believing in yourself and your ability to get through things and find peace and positivity on the other side with yourself, your world, and other people. Only you can do that — only you. You can’t change the world, you can only control you. You control how you react to people, deal with things, adapt to things. You build the bridges to peace and happiness … and other people. One at a time.
Obstacles? Adapt, improvise, overcome. All controlled by you.
And… as it always has been, “easier said, than done”, and not everyone believes it or will do it. C’est la vie.
But please…
Keep moving
Keep breathing
Keep smiling
Keep trying
Keep the faith
—————
*If you really want a religious connection, grab your bible and read 2 Timothy 4:7. Ol’ Tim got it and fought the good fight.
And, there’s a few musical connections, but find Bon Jovi’s “Keep The Faith” or Rod Stewart’s song “This”. They understood too..
And play this while you're doing it ....
