Below is an excerpt from the daily meditation book “Meditations For Women Who Do Too Much” by Anne Wilson Shaef
“When a small child…I thought that success spelled happiness. I was wrong, happiness is like a butterfly which appears and delights us for one brief moment, but soon flits away.”-Anna Pavlova
“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 between them 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.“-Anne Wilson Schaef
