I want to walk through life instead of being dragged through it.
Alanis MorissetteRead
When someone says that I'm angry it's actually a compliment. I have not always been direct with my anger in my relationships, which is part of why I'd write about it in my songs because I had such fear around expressing anger as a woman.
Interpretation
Anger can be a valid expression of feelings, especially when fear of expressing it restricts authenticity in relationships.
In this quote, Alanis Morissette reflects on the complexity of expressing anger, particularly as a woman. She recognizes that being labeled as 'angry' can actually highlight her emotional depth and authenticity, revealing a struggle between societal expectations and personal expression. Writing about her anger serves as both a form of therapy and a means to confront her fears about that expression in her relationships.
In practice
In a workshop on emotional expression, this quote can be used to inspire participants to embrace their feelings.
I want to walk through life instead of being dragged through it.
Music helps you find the truths you must bring into the rest of your life.
My own approach has always been to push intense emotions down and attempt to deal with them later. When I was younger, I was terrified to express anger because it would often kick-start a horrible reaction in the men in my life.
To me the biggest irony of this lifetime that I'm living is that for someone who thrives in the public eye in the creative ways that I do, I actually don't enjoy being in the public eye.
I'll be writing songs till I die. There's just no question.
My greatest achievement is being able to write records that are real snapshots of what's going on in my life. I won't repeat myself for the sake of commerce, or to please other people.
To put yourself in another's place requires real imagination, but by doing so each Girl Scout will be able to love among others happily.
It is very hard to not be able to engage with people in a real and honest way because they either want something from me, or they see me as something that I simply am not.
When you are in the final days of your life, what will you want? Will you hug that college degree in the walnut frame? Will you ask to be carried to the garage so you can sit in your car? Will you find comfort in rereading your financial statement? Of course not. What will matter then will be people. If relationships will matter most then, shouldn't they matter most now?
I leave CNN with the utmost respect, love and admiration for the company and everyone who works here. This has been my family and shared endeavor for the past 27 years, and I am forever grateful and proud of all that we have accomplished.
It is no use trying to sum people up. One must follow hints, not exactly what is said, nor yet entirely what is done.
My father has a way of persuading people without charm that has always confused me. He states his opinions as if they’re facts, and somehow his complete lack of doubt makes you believe him. That quality frightens me now, because I know what he told me: that I was broken, that I was worthless, that I was nothing. How many of those things did he make me believe?
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.