“It’s fine, I’m sure I’ll figure it out”. Is this a sort of life mantra for anyone else? I feel like I should have a t-shirt that says it. I’ve said it my whole life and it really does end up being the truth. Clearly I am talking on a personal level – I understand there is so much suffering in the world and it breaks my heart. But I also know I can only do what I can do so after that I have to let it go until the next opportunity arises.

Over these 5 decades I’ve learned a couple things and one absolute truth is that emotions and situations change, nothing is permanent and in the end it really will all be ok. Most things that get us all riled up are not that big of a deal in the grand scheme of life. Definitely not worth riddling our bodies with stress and its nasty side effects.

I also know that for me, adding humor to the situation always helps. When the kids were little and chaos was ensuing John and I would picture the end of the movie Animal House where Kevin Bacon’s character is trying to control a riot by standing in the middle, frantically saying “remain calm, all is well”. It would crack us up and give our brains that little pause needed to realize it would be ok, it was just kids being kids.

This tag line of mine has also helped me when things were much more serious. My daughter has had some health issues that have landed her in the hospital for days at a time. The doctors (as wonderful as they were) could not find a solution and so that was scary on top of being scary, know what I mean? I am and always was grateful that it wasn’t the “big scary thing” and yet the frustration of going home with no answers was maddening.

But because I had used that phrase since I could remember, it was ingrained in me and even at my lowest I knew in my heart that it was true – it’ll be fine and I’ll figure it out. And like magic it helped me to just keep going, taking one next right step after the other.

We are still searching for total relief for her and any parent knows seeing your child in pain is the opposite of fine. But also, we’ve got this and we will continue working to find a permanent solution. In other words, we’ll figure it out.

It works on silly everyday problems too. When something is a hot mess and no one can help, my little mantra helps me remember that it IS all good. If it’s not life or death, I’ve got it, it’ll be fine. And honestly, if it’s not, then I’ll figure THAT out! As the wise Indigo Girls say, “it’s only life after all”.

So next time you’re in a sticky situation and it feels like there is no end in sight, feel free to steal my mantra and see what happens when you really start to believe it. And then come back and share please. Or share what works for you, I’d love to hear other perspectives on this!