“Everything’s all right up to this point. It is hard to say why this old proverb, listed in James Kelly’s Scottish Proverbs (1721), should have survived.” This classic expression teeters on the brink of optimism and caution, reminding us that while the present is fine, the future isn’t guaranteed. It suggests a momentary relief with a potential for future trouble—an ever-relevant theme of human experience.
Related Terms, Expressions, and Idioms:
1. So far, so good - An acknowledgment that things are all right now, but with a sense that trouble may yet come.
2. Steady as she goes - Derived from nautical origins, meaning to maintain the current course with caution and steadiness.
3. On thin ice - Operating in a precarious situation where the outcome is uncertain.
4. Holding one’s breath - Awaiting the next developments with a sense of apprehension.
Humor-Filled Quotes:
“Like the man who fell from a forty-story building and was heard to say as he passed each floor, ‘So far, so good!’”
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” —Albert Einstein
Related Literature, Books, and Movies:
Books:
- Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Carlson—a reminder that things are often not as dire as they seem.
- Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson—navigating change with humor and resilience.
Movies:
- Groundhog Day (1993)—a continuous loop of same beginnings, only broken by right actions, reminding of our control over outcomes.
- The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)—the adventure only begins when choosing to move past the safety of ‘everything’s fine right now.’
Proverbs and References:
Scottish Proverbs: “It’ll be all right on the night.” — a theatre term implying that it will be fine when it matters, even if there are problems beforehand.
Proverbs from Other Cultures: “While the hen claws at the earth, she wonders.” - Dutch Proverb, pointing out the strange duality of confidence and worry.
Quizzes:
Farewell Thought:
As you navigate through life’s ups and downs, remember the humorous wisdom in these phrases. They serve as gentle reminders that it’s the journey, complete with its uncertainties, that shapes our tale. Here’s to embracing each moment, knowing that everything’s all right up to this point.
“Let the roadway be rough and long, we get there by persevering!” - A. F. Aphorism
Keep moving, keep smiling!
