You know the old adage: Plant an expectation, reap a disappointment.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
There is so much about my fate that I cannot control, but other things do fall under my jurisdiction. There are certain lottery tickets I can buy, thereby increasing my odds of finding contentment. I can decide how I spend my time, whom I interact with, whom I share my body and life and money and energy with.
Interpretation
What this quote means
We can't control everything in life, but we have the power to make choices that influence our happiness.
This quote emphasizes the distinction between what is beyond our control and what we can manage in our lives. While there are elements of fate that remain unpredictable, we still hold significant power over our choices, particularly in areas such as relationships and personal fulfillment. By making conscious decisions about where to invest our time and energy, we can create opportunities for contentment and a fulfilling life, akin to buying lottery tickets that increase our chances of success.
Themes
ControlChoicesContentmentFateLifeRelationships
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech at a personal development seminar.
More from Elizabeth Gilbert
All quotes →Do not apologize for crying. Without this emotion, we are only robots.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
I had always been taught that the pursuit of happiness was my natural (even national) birthright. It is the emotional trademark of my culture to seek happiness. Not just any kind of happiness, either, but profound happiness, even soaring happiness. And what could possibly bring a person more soaring happiness than romantic love.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
When I tried this morning, after an hour or so of unhappy thinking, to dip back into my meditation, I took a new idea with me: compassion. I asked my heart if it could please infuse my soul with a more generous perspective on my mind's workings. Instead of thinking that I was a failure, could I perhaps accept that I am only a human being--and a normal one, at that?
Elizabeth GilbertRead
And when you sense a faint potentiality for happiness after such dark times you must grab onto the ankles of that happiness and not let go until it drags you face-first out of the dirt - this is not selfishness, but obligation. You were given life; it is your duty to find something beautiful within life no matter how slight.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
But never again use another person's body or emotions as a scratching post for your own unfulfilling yearnings.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
Similar quotes
Something inside me clicked, like an engine shifting into higher gear. My thinking suddenly became faster and clearer. The anger and fear didn't go away, but I realized they weren't important. They weren't going to help me.
Rick RiordanRead
When you take risks you learn that there will be times when you succeed and there will be times when you fail, and both are equally important. It's hard to understand failure when you're going through it, but in the grand scheme of things it's good to fall down - not because you're drunk and not near stairs.
Ellen DegeneresRead
Bring anger and pride under your feet, _x000D_ turn them into a ladder and climb higher.
RumiRead
There's a reason you can learn from everything: you have basic wisdom, basic intelligence, and basic goodness.
Pema ChodronRead
Acquire a government over your ideas, that they may come down when they are called, and depart when they are bidden.
Isaac WattsRead
Take your focus off how others see you. Cease being obsessed with the need to impress your friends and your foes. Keep your concern on the vision you see in the mirror. Don’t allow the approval of others to obstruct your view of you.
Tavis SmileyRead