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Now this is this, or seems to be. When you're haunted by…

“Now this is this, or seems to be. When you're haunted by any variety of effective nonsense, like love or guilt or poetry or memory, which are anyway at their root the same thing - the primary symptom is paralysis. You just can't move. Then, all too rarely, the virus is vanquished, the contagion…” quote by Gregory Maguire
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““Now this is this, or seems to be. When you're haunted by any variety of effective nonsense, like love or guilt or poetry or memory, which are anyway at their root the same thing - the primary symptom is paralysis. You just can't move. Then, all too rarely, the virus is vanquished, the contagion concluded, the spell broken, the cold front snaps in prismatic splinters. Bright moment, that, and bright moment, next, and so on and so forth. What returns is a sense of the present tense as being not only available, but valid.””

Gregory Maguire

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

When overwhelming emotions freeze us, a breakthrough restores the ability to act and experience the present as real and valuable.

In simple terms: Emotions can paralyze; breakthroughs restore present awareness.

Key Takeaway

Seek moments that break the paralysis.

Themes

psychology emotion mindfulness

Mood

reflective hopeful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • creative block
  • relationship conflict
  • grief processing
  • artistic stagnation

Key Concepts

paralysis breakthrough present awareness

Questions to Reflect On

  • What triggers your personal breakthroughs?
  • How can you cultivate moments of clarity?
A Different Perspective

The quote assumes breakthroughs are always possible, ignoring chronic conditions.

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