“It’ll Be Alright” — Mantra for Hard Times

Book Matt gave me years ago in honor of the mantra.

Looking for simple, powerful words to carry you through hard times? Here’s one that has stood the test of time and even survived coffee spills, sudden case twists, and the occasional courtroom chaos.

Just five short syllables, when they are said. If you listen carefully, they land differently. If it’s not alright, it’s not done.

At first, I brushed it off. It sounded like one of those well-meaning platitudes people toss out when they don’t know what else to say. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized this phrase is honest. It’s hopeful. And it might just be true.

Years ago, I worked with a brilliant attorney named Jim Kelley. Sharp, steady, and mostly unbothered by chaos, though sometimes he was the chaos himself. No matter what happened, a case went sideways, a file vanished, or someone spilled coffee on the documents, he would glance at me and say, “Ms. Jones, it’ll be alright.”

And you know what? It almost always was.

Even when I lost a hearing Mr. Kelley told me I could not possibly lose. Even when a surprise court date appeared with just an hour’s notice and I had to improvise my way through it. Somehow, it turned out alright. Not perfect. Not polished. But alright.

Over time, I made the phrase my own. I find myself saying it to everyone for almost every imaginable reason. Sometimes I add, “If it doesn’t kill you, it’ll be alright. Otherwise, it’ll make you crazy.” Other times I follow up with, “because there is no other choice.” A little dark, sure, but sometimes dark humor is how we survive the day. And honestly, it makes me sound wiser than I probably am.

Life does not offer guarantees, but it does offer perspective. Things fall apart and then they come back together. We adapt, we laugh, we fall apart ourselves and then rebuild. If you are still in the thick of something hard, it just means you haven’t reached the alright part yet. But you will. And I have learned that sometimes, that “alright” comes with coffee stains, missing socks, and slightly singed eyebrows.

We all have that one phrase, the one that sticks, the one we whisper to ourselves when life goes sideways. What’s yours? Share your favorite mantras, mottos, or words of wisdom in the comments. I would love to hear what has helped you through.

Thank you for reading The 3rd Flamingo, a blog for art lovers, creative wanderers, and anyone who has ever made a beautiful mess.

And remember, even when it’s messy, it’ll be alright, probably with a little coffee, a lot of laughter, and maybe a sock or two missing along the way.