Wow I feel good today. Like a Disney princess, I literally woke up with a smile on my face and a song in my heart (Prince is good for the soul). What a surprise!
It’s a surprise because this summer has been pretty tough. Heck, this whole year has been cruddy. And over the past few weeks, it’s all started to catch up with me. No sugar-coating things — I’ve been flat-out depressed.
I know that what I’m about to write is fairly trite. It’s been said a million times before. But I also know that when you’re in the midst of a blue period, you never know what you’ll read or hear that will give you hope, or help you hang on another day. So I’m going to write it anyway, because someone reading this might could use the message.
Things will change, and you will change with them, and you will be OK.
Notice I didn’t say “Things will get better.” Because they may not. Whatever particular situation you’re dealing with may not end on a positive note. But it’s just one situation. It’s not your entire life. And unless you’re watching a massive asteroid hurtle toward your yard, it’s not the end of the world, either.
One of my favorite sayings has its origins in the writings of Sufi poets. The story goes like this: A Middle Eastern king challenged the wise men in his court to invent something that, whenever he looked at it, could make him happy when he was sad, or sad when he was happy. The wise men pondered the challenge, and in the end, presented the king a ring with one short sentence engraved in the gold.
This too will pass.
Whatever you’re going through, remember that saying. Things might be terrible right now, and you may wonder how you’ll ever make it through, but this situation, and your feelings about it, will pass.
And it’s worth hanging around and waiting for them to pass. The lessons learned and the blessings to come are so, so worth it. I promise. Just take my word for it. I’m always right.
Last Monday was my birthday. It was an uneventful day. I almost even forgot about it. I certainly didn’t feel like celebrating. I just wanted to go to the gym by myself for the evening. I wanted to swim a bit, then hit the treadmill, then have dinner. As I pulled into the gym parking lot, this happened:
SWEET JESUS I DON’T ASK FOR MUCH ALL I WANTED TO DO WAS SWIM SANS KIDS ON MY BIRTHDAY!
But as I sat in my car, on the verge of tears that might have rivaled the downpour on the windshield, I became thankful. Thankful because this was just what our bone-dry environment needed. Thankful because I got to watch some birds play in the puddles. Thankful because as sad as a storm can be, it can also be very cleansing.
Depression can be the same way. Sometimes, I’m thankful for my low points. They’re like a purge, and I come out clean and refreshed on the other side.
I skipped the swim, but I got in a good workout and had a nice dinner. As I left the gym, I saw this:
Everyone in the parking lot was looking upwards with a smile on their face and a child-like sense of wonder. As I got in my car and turned a corner in the parking lot, I was able to see its true glory. It was a full rainbow, stretching itself across the darkening sky in a wide arc. And as I drove further, it became a double rainbow. I hurried home, eager to show it to the boys. But by the time I arrived, it was gone.
Things change. The good times don’t always last. But, blessedly, neither do the bad times.
Wait for your morning of smiles and songs. It will be here before you know it. The rainbow says so.
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I LOVE this post!! So true, every bit of it.
I love you!! So so true! Thankful others write about what is really happening in their life and the positive they see in it. Love this! HUGS!!
This is so true and I’m saving it for a time when I know I’m really going need. Thank you for this my dear.
Sometimes YOU are the rainbow.
Whenever I see a rainbow or the sun streaks coming down out of the clouds I hear birds chirping and I think I hear angels singing, AHHHHHHHHH. No, really. I’m sharing. Thanks. Change is good. I recall that as a campaign slogan. Ha. Change is good. Repeat.
Monday was an uneventful birthday, wasn’t it? I spent the day painting my niece’s room. I’ve been struggling myself, I think birthdays do that. And while I know it will all pass, it doesn’t stop me from hurling myself into a fit of despair rivaling a fifteen year old. I think I’m just going to hide under my new hat until it all passes.
Even though we’ve only met, I like you and respect you greatly. Rainbows, girl. They’re everywhere. Even in the oil puddle your SUV just rolled over. You just gotta look for them. And one day, we’ll all find our pot of gold. Even if it comes in the form of a massage, 12 minutes of peace from the kids or an unexpected Wendy’s Frosty.
wow, how beautiful: the post, the photo, and the clarity. Happy belated birthday to one of the kindest people I have encountered on the interwebs.
No way is this trite. More like inspiring and it worked for me.
So true and you captured the truth in your photos. Thank for you sharing this, I am one who am so glad you wrote it.
Thank you for reaching out to me at The Band. Your post is moving.
You can do this. This up and down, highs and lows, changing thing that life is all about. I promise. And there are people who can hold your hand and help you when you think you want to give up. I promise you that, too.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
I kept this page open since I first saw it and am just now commenting. Thank you Amy for writing this!! It is so meaningful, so true! Yesterday was my downpour, my depressing day of anxiety and angst. But, it did get better. The rainbow came out, the clouds had a silver lining. And your kind words were a balm to my heart
I’m so glad that you decided to write this, I’ve been feeling this way for a while, I even pondered whether I should write about it. Thank you for writing this, I needed to read it!
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I love this, Amy! I always try to think “this too shall pass” but I didn’t know the story behind it. Beautifully written post!
Amy, So well said. I remember, years ago, my 4 year old son and I were looking out the back window after his sisters had left for school. I was cursing, er, grumbling (to myself) about the crap littering our neighbor’s backyard when my son said, “Ooooh mommy – look at the color clouds.” They were all pink and lavender floating above us in the morning light. They were right there – and I was grovelling in the mud. It’s not what we look at, it’s what we see. From the mouths of babes. And, if like you, other bloggers. Thanks for the reminder.
Beautifully said….
You have no idea how much I needed this.
Beautiful post, and so true. Depression can be a beast, but focusing on gratitude definitely helps.
So, so true. I remember a time in my late 20s when I was suicidal over an unrequited love. I hung on. I met my husband a few months after my love got married and we have an incredible five year old son. What would have happened to my husband if we had never met? There would be no Tyler. There would be no me, loving two incredible people in my life.
What a beautiful example. Glad you decided to hang in there!
I love this! It is worth remembering sometimes that after rain there is a rainbow some where.
Happy SITS day
I would like to reference this on my blog, hopefully that will be OK
Absolutely — please spread the message!
Beautifully said. Sometimes it is just something simple like a rainbow that can bring us around to know that life is about change and growth and ups and downs and finding that perfect something that touches our heart and makes us smile. Thank you ~ Patricia
Gorgeous. Just gorgeous.
There are some days when those warm fuzzy sayings or quotes serve to do nothing but piss me off. You’ve managed to make the trite readable, as well as inspirational.
Thanks.
As someone who battles depression, I know this is so so so true.
Thanks for sharing your rainbow!
I love this, and totally agree with your philosophy. Some days you just have to trudge through the mud, but always know there is dry ground ahead. Glad to have found you via SITS girls
I love your analogy. That’s it exactly — putting up with a little mess to get to higher ground.
Sometimes we all need to remember that in our darkest hour “this too shall pass”. Thank you so much for that reminder!