Life is an ever-changing journey, a constant ebb and flow of experiences that range from joy to sorrow, excitement to fear. Rainer Maria Rilke’s timeless words remind us of an essential truth: “Let everything happen to you: Beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final.” These words encourage us to embrace life in its fullness, acknowledging that neither the good nor the bad will last forever.
The Impermanence of Emotions
At the heart of Rilke’s wisdom is the idea that emotions—whether uplifting or overwhelming—are transient. Joy, sorrow, fear, and love are part of the human experience, but they are not permanent states of being. Understanding this impermanence can help us navigate life’s highs and lows with grace.
When we’re in the midst of happiness, it’s tempting to cling to it, to wish it could last forever. But life, by its very nature, is fluid. Change is inevitable, and attempting to hold onto one moment forever only creates resistance. Similarly, when we are overcome by pain or hardship, it’s easy to feel as though the suffering will never end. Rilke’s words remind us that even the darkest times will pass.
Embracing Beauty and Terror
Rilke doesn’t suggest ignoring life’s difficulties or avoiding its pleasures. Instead, he invites us to let everything happen—to embrace both the beauty and the terror. Why? Because every experience, good or bad, shapes who we are. The beauty of life teaches us gratitude, while the terror challenges us to grow.
To embrace beauty is to savor life’s fleeting joys: a sunrise, a kind word, or a moment of peace. To embrace terror is to face our fears and challenges head-on, knowing that they, too, have something to teach us. By allowing these experiences to happen without resistance, we open ourselves to the full spectrum of life.
The Power of Resilience
Rilke’s phrase “Just keep going” is a reminder of resilience. It’s about moving forward, even when the path is unclear or the weight of the world feels too heavy. Life’s challenges can feel unbearable in the moment, but by taking one step at a time, we can endure and eventually overcome.
Resilience doesn’t mean ignoring your feelings or pretending everything is fine. It means acknowledging your emotions—whether joy or despair—without letting them define you. Feel them, learn from them, and keep moving. As Rilke says, “No feeling is final.” The pain will fade, and the joy will come again.
Finding Peace in Impermanence
The impermanence of emotions can feel unsettling, but it can also bring peace. When you understand that no feeling is final, you can approach life’s experiences with greater acceptance. Instead of fearing the bad or clinging to the good, you can live fully in the present moment.
Life becomes less about controlling what happens and more about embracing what is. The beauty of this mindset is that it frees you from unnecessary suffering. You realize that, like waves in the ocean, emotions come and go, but they don’t define the sea.
Living Rilke’s Wisdom
To live by Rilke’s words is to live courageously. It means opening your heart to life’s experiences, even when they scare you. It means trusting that, no matter what happens, you have the strength to keep going.
Here are some practical ways to embody this mindset:
- Practice Mindfulness: Stay present with your emotions without judgment. Notice them, but don’t cling to them.
- Lean into Discomfort: Instead of avoiding difficult feelings, allow yourself to experience them. Trust that they will pass.
- Celebrate the Good: Savor moments of joy and beauty, knowing they are precious because they are fleeting.
- Build Resilience: Remind yourself that you’ve overcome challenges before and can do so again.
- Stay Open to Life: Embrace life’s unpredictability with curiosity and courage.
A Reminder for Every Season
Rilke’s words serve as a reminder for every season of life. In times of joy, they encourage us to cherish the moment without fear of losing it. In times of struggle, they remind us that the darkness will eventually give way to light.
So, let everything happen to you—the beauty and the terror. Feel it all. Learn from it. And most importantly, just keep going. Because no feeling, no matter how intense, is ever final. Life is a journey, and every step—whether light or heavy—takes us closer to understanding its profound beauty.
