Day one of 3 day quote challenge
Genevive nominated me to take part in this 3 day challenge. Thank you Genevive! (at http://www.geneviveangela.com/ – she writes from Hyderabad in India and her posts are so inspiring and gentle). I love quotes. I’ve taken the easy way out. I found this little book given to me by a friend many years ago but I hadn’t noticed it in a long long time. It’s called ‘Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much’: Anne Wilson Schaef. 1990. It has a quote for every day of the year by women known and unknown and the author adds her insight to it. I am making random selections for today and next two days.
July 31: Happiness/Depression
Anna Pavlova: When I was a small child … I thought that success spelled happiness. I was wrong, happiness is like a butterfly which appears and delights for one brief moment, but soon flits away.
Anne Wilson Schaef’s commentary: There is no difference between happiness and depression. They both have the same process. It is just the content that is not the same. Both will come and go. The major difference is what we do with them.
We are always seeking happiness. When we see it coming we say, ‘Ah, come here, I see you. Stay with me always’. Happiness laughs and says, ‘Oh, she’s seen me, I can leave now’. And it does.
With depression, we see it coming, and we say: ‘Go away, I don’t want you. Not me’. And depression sighs and says, ‘Here we go again, I’m going to have to get bigger and bigger for her to hear me and learn what I have to teach’. So it taps us on the shoulder and says, “over here, over here!’ until it gets our attention. Then it leaves.
Both happiness and depression have something to teach us. Both will come and go. Both will return. It is our response and openness to learn from both that makes the difference.
My happiness is a gift. My depression is a gift. Both are like butterflies in my life.
I’d like to pass the challenge on to three special people to post 3 quotes on 3 consecutive days. We’ve become very good friends over the years and the miles in our blogging and writing. Their websites are worth a visit! It can be your very own quote, from a book, a poem, a writer, a film, or from anywhere, followed by however you want to do it. What it means to you for example or the how and why you like it. And honestly, more than fine if you choose not to accept. Comments are always welcome, and not just from these three!
Samantha: http://thescheherazadechronicles.org/.
Gwynn: http://gwynnsgritandgrin.com
Patricia: www.patgarciaandeverythingmustchange.com
And, I forgot to mention – please nominate three others to take up this challenge. Thank them and nominate three others!
with thanks to google images
40 Comments on Day one of 3 day Quote Challenge
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Elaine, ‘I was being initiated and would rise back out of…” makes me think of a ritual initiation, having to master a tremendously difficult task. Perhaps a ritual in which the American Indian braves has to prove their strengths by walking over hot coals in heroic silence, thereafter being admitted to full membership of the tribe.
The feeling of devastation you had before rising back out of the underworld is the pain that I imagine you experienced such as the suspense of ritual walking slowly over the hot coals. But you were victorious not losing sight of all that is beautiful.
Yes. Exactly. An underworld initiation. A Descent rather than a hero’s journey. What a gift that I’d spent years exploring underworld journeys in mythology. Those stories gave a sense of meaning and containment for the experience. They helped me understand my dreams, too.
Thank you for highlighting the descent that is necessary Elaine ..
Ah, those flitting feelings of happy and sad. But some last a long time, I’ve learned from grief.
I was grateful for my Jungian background and for the teachings of mythology and the poetry of Rilke after my husband died. They helped me hold and balance the depressive downward pull of grief. I didn’t lose sight of the beauty of the world and the gift of loving friends and sons. I was grateful to be accompanied by rich dreams. I was reminded that, devastated as I felt, I was being initiated and would rise back out of the underworld.
Thank you for sharing this with us Elaine. You were most fortunate in having a loving circle of friends and sons and your rich dream world helping to blanche the depressive pull of grief and able to see the beauty in the world. All those gifts – in the darkest times – always an initiation …
In my admiration of Pat Garcia, and to further illustrate the mature development of tolerance for healthy pain, I am proud of Pat to share what Pat wrote to me via e-mail.
June 30th, 2015, Pat wrote, “I am working with a senior editor that takes writers on who want to be published in the publishing world. The lady is tough but I love it. I don’t need anyone that is easy and wants to cuddle me.”
Thank you Joseph.
I agree with Pat Garcia, “…we don’t recognize those periods of happiness if we don’t experience those periods of darkness.”
What comes to my mind is what comes from Buddhist philosophy, when you have the downs or the ups feelings, it is useful to relax with mindful and gentle breathing, while developing a gentle attentiveness to the up-feelings and the down-feelings. Sometimes while practicing not to be alarmed by these feelings, additional and really welcome insights come to you. Then, you may you become fortified to welcome any kinds of thoughts about your dark side of consciousness.
Wise words thank you Joseph.
Hi,
A beautiful quote with the challenge to accept the times when we are not so up on top of the world. Too often, we seek to stay above board or try to live a happiness spiral that was never meant to be. We don’t recognise those periods of happiness if we don’t experience those period of darkness. It is the darkness that makes our light even brighter.
Shalom,
Patricia
Thank you Pat. Darkness deepens the soul and it’s necessary to experience fully. The joy is greater somehow when the darkness lifts …
Shalom to you.
Susan
The quote and commentary give us much to consider–about both happiness and depression. I don’t know that happiness is like a butterfly that flits away. I think perhaps that is elation. I think happiness is a true contentment that lasts. Similarly, a moment of sadness or despair vanishes, but true depression, from what I understand, is more like being trapped in hole or cage without seeing any way out.
Thanks for coming by Merril. Apologies for late response from me although I did reply on my cell phone when there was a bit of cell phone connection in the bush but evidently it did not get through! I like what you say about contentment being a lasting ‘happiness’.. I am witness to a family member’s depression and it is absolutely awful. Hardly ever is there any joy .. I don’t know when last. The hole gets deeper –
So sorry to hear about your family member’s depression. I hope his or her condition improves. Wishing you and your family all best.
Thank you Merril – all good wishes help.
Hi Susan ! thank you for accepting this challenge; and appreciate you for your kind words. I have not heard of this author, so I am glad to to hear this quote for the first time; and I like this sentence that says “It is just the content that is not the same .. both will come and go and it depends on how we respond”.. it is so true, as a child I only wanted happiness and when happiness came, I wanted to hold on tightly so that it remains forever… I dreaded to be sad and depressed.. never succeeded in holding on to happiness. It took me so many experiences to learn that both are of the same coin, like kahlil Gibran says “Happiness and sorrow are the two sides of the same coin” one cannot exist without the other. when life is all one or all other, we are ill, we will live in a make believe world. I am still in the process of learning, not finished yet…. Thank you once again Susan for accepting this challenge and inspiring me with your lovely post !
Thank you Genevive! I love that Khalil Gibran quote! I’m in a rush, we’re about to go away for the weekend – both Shilpa and I are concerned that your link is not working. Yes, I too am more aware now that life has its ups and downs and know that the wheel always turns.
Interesting. As a girl I was sometimes afraid to be happy because I knew the opposite would come knocking. Now I take what comes. It’s all part of living a full life.
I know that feeling – being afraid to be happy because the downer would come! Strange huh! There’s a trace of that fear that remains yet diminishing, but it’s all part of my learning I guess to take life as it comes … Thanks Sharon
Ah…, reason…
R.
She/he has it’s place! Thank you Robert!
Honoured Samantha that you accepted! I could not attend to this until just the other day even though it was last week Genevive invited me .. so no pressure!
How about that re Anna Pavlova! A spin off on that – or gliding through the air – sounds like a good idea!
Ah, such a timely post, I really needed to read this today! Thank you, Susan!
A pleasure Gulara!
Thank you, Susan. I am honored that you nominated me. How long do I have to accept this challenge and post? I would like to have my computer back before I begin; I have a lot of good quotes stored there.
And, Anna Pavlova — one of my favorites, and an inspiration to me — inspired me to study ballet for many years. It is said that she put ball bearings in the toes of her pointe shoes to make her appear ethereally gliding across stage in bourees. I can’t imagine — must’ve hurt. Actually I could do a spinoff quote post on this.
Honoured Samantha that you accepted! Please see my fuller reply below which did not get stacked properly. I can be such a klutz sometimes.
I had a similar feeling–that my life’s goal was happiness. So not true. I have no fear of the problems, like to use them to hone my problem solving skills, and relish so much more the good times. When I’m terribly busy, I enjoy so much sitting in my reading chair, lost in a book. When I do that ultimate happiness too long, it loses its luster.
Relish the good times even more! How true that is Jacqui thank you! It’s my best thing to get iost in a book – for me the over indulgence may pall especially if other matters need my attention! But the anticipation of getting back to it later – ah, joy!
What a powerful post that has the potential to transform how so many people think. I will be forwarding this to friends for sure.
Thanks Stephanie – glad it resonated!
That’s such a beautiful quote, Susan and a great explanation too. It’s true that the ups and downs of life will continue to prevail. Resisting to the down times will only delay the coming of the up times. So the best we should do is focus on what can be learned, and know with certainty that the up time is just around the corner. 🙂
Great comment Shilpa thank you! I agree, it’s best to give the down times their due without resisting it, and to know somewhere deep in our bones that the wheel must turn even if it seems to take forever! 🙂
Oh Susan… like you, I love quotes too. You may have noticed on my posts. I have SEVERAL books with quotes, I also peruse the internet looking for quotes. I LOVE this challenge. The best part is that you are a DEAR FRIEND! I will have to work on the challenge later this afternoon as I have an appointment at the University of Washington.
You are an inspiration and Thank you for challenging me. I needed this! Hugs, Gwynn
I know you love quotes Gwynn! I too have dozens of books on quotes! And you honestly don’t have to rush re: this challenge – Genevive asked me last week and it was only in the last day or so that I could give this my attention. AND I took the easy way out and let Anne Wilson Schaef’s commentary do the hard work. Not suggesting that you do that – your own thoughts on chosen quotes would be wonderful!
Hugs back at you! 🙂
Ohhhh PHEW!! I was panicking as to when I had to start the Challenge. We’ll see what mischief I can create. Hmmmm (I just put my thinking cap on.)
Don’t let it – the thinking cap) over steam Gwynn – be relaxed! About to head off to the bush so if they’re up on the weekend I may not be able to comment …
Happiness, yes, is a winged moment. I don’t know that the butterfly image fits depression. It’s more like being isolated in the cocoon, waiting, unable to move. I have butterfly days and cocoon days. But how I respond to either state, beyond grace, is a skill I can improve on with practice and remembrance.
That’s lovely Ashen thank you – the cocoon is necessary though it seems like an awfully long time sometimes. I love your last sentence ‘But how I respond to either state, beyond grace, is a skill I can improve on with practice and remembrance’.
I listened to the Anne Wilson Schaef’s cassette tapes going to and from the College when I was doing too much. Her voice, her gentle advice was soothing as I traveled back and forth. I’ve learned to accept the ups and downs of life as part of a cycle, the push/pull of the human condition.Perfectly normal.
How lovely to listen to the audio of Anne Wilson Schaef’s writings Marian! Sometimes we need reminders that the cycle’s all quite normal – the ups and downs and push and pull of life Thank you for coming by!