Let Go with the Wind, Etch Joy in Stone
Life is a delicate balance of joy and sorrow, love and loss. Along the way, we all encounter moments that lift us—and others that break us. But how we choose to carry those moments defines the life we live.
An old Arabic proverb offers a powerful lens through which we can view life’s duality: “Write the bad things that are done to you in sand, but write the good things that happen to you on marble.” In these words lies a gentle reminder: pain is real, but it doesn’t have to be permanent.
The image of writing in sand evokes the natural motion of letting go. Just as the wind and waves wash away footprints, so too can time soften our wounds—if we allow it. Holding onto hurt only weighs down the soul. When we choose to release bitterness and resentment, we make room for healing, peace, and freedom.
By contrast, the marble in this proverb symbolizes what deserves to endure: the kindness we’ve received, the love we’ve known, the small miracles that lit up our darkest days. These are the moments to remember, to honor, and to revisit often—etched not with ink, but with the gratitude of the heart.
This isn’t about ignoring what hurts us. It’s about deciding what deserves to shape us. Letting go of wrongs isn’t weakness; it’s strength rooted in grace. Forgiveness is not about condoning the past, but freeing ourselves from it. It’s a gift we give ourselves, to lighten the load and walk forward with clarity.
The wisdom of this proverb also holds power beyond the individual. In our relationships, in our communities, we choose daily what we carry forward. When we emphasize the good—acts of kindness, gestures of love, words of encouragement—we nurture a culture of compassion and trust.
Ancient proverbs like this one don’t fade with time; they grow more meaningful. In a world that often rushes us to react and remember every wrong, choosing to write the bad in sand is a radical act of emotional courage.
So may we learn to let go gently, to forgive often, and to remember the goodness life gives us. May we write our pain where the tide can reach it—and carve our blessings in the stone of memory.
Selected Quotes to Reflect On:
“Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.” – Confucius
“Gratitude is the memory of the heart.” – Jean Baptiste Massieu
“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” – Marcel Proust
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