From my daily readings I: participation and aliveness

This comes from a book of daily meditations called 356 Tao by Deng Ming-Dao:

Whatever comes to you, you must engage it somehow. You receive it, you may alter the circumstances and let it go, you may interject something of your own into it, or you may knowingly let it pass. Whatever you do, there is no need to be apathetic toward life. Instead, full participation in all things is the surest way to happiness, vitality and success . . .

When we're depressed we systematically shut down those things which bring us aliveness. It becomes a vicious cycle. This is a good quote to have handy when you're going through a low period.