If Winter Comes, Can Spring Be Far Behind?

This is the last line of Shelley's famous poem: "Ode to the West Wind." The poet depicts the terrible effect of the west wind in different spheres. The line is an epitome of optimism. Though for the present cold winter will be the ruler all around, yet the very approach of winter means the impending arrival of the spring season soon after winter. Winter must, at last, come to an end. It must be followed by the colorful spring which brings colorful flowers and birds’ sweet songs. After all, the circle of seasons must continue moving unhindered.

The day is followed by night and night by day. Similarly, in life, every period of sorrow and despair has, at last, to come to the end. It is followed by a period of peace, comfort, and joy. We must have a firm belief in the goodness of things and have strong self-confidence. There is no occasion for feeling dismayed. "If hopes are dupes, fears may be liars."

The best attitude in life is that of an optimistic stoic. Joys and sorrows should be treated in their own stride. They should be given equal treatment. Robert Browning was a highly optimistic poet. He had another way of looking at things. If he ever had to face failure in life, he consoled himself by telling himself that he will get his rearward or success in heaven or in the next life. One famous psychologist of France taught the men the art of auto-suggestion. He advised them to say unto themselves: "Every day in every way, I get better and better.” Auto-suggestion for a better and happier life is the great art in modern-day life which modern psychology has given to us. W.B. Yeats, the famous poet of the early twentieth century has said,

"Cast a cold eye 

on life, on death, 

Horseman pass by!”

Thus, we rest assured that our sorrows, if any, are short-lived and a period of joy awaits us. Such thinking will always maintain our equipoise and peace of mind.