Okay, not a terrible point,” Noise said. “But it’s also a…
““Okay, not a terrible point,” Noise said. “But it’s also a great example – the point that makes my point. We don’t get to choose what happens to us. But we always get to choose how to feel about it. And why on earth would you ever choose to feel anything but good?” Bird snorted. “Mate, it can’t be that easy – not for you, not for anyone. Who could feel good about this?” Noise nodded. “Look. In any situation, there are always many aspects to it, many facets that one can attend to. An infinite number, perhaps. And it is very rare that all of them are completely negative. Can we agree on that?” Bird didn’t respond. “And the thing is this: you get to choose. Which aspects to regard. The good or the bad ones. And that choice will define you. It will certainly define how you feel.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage argues that while we cannot control events, we can choose our emotional response, emphasizing agency in feeling.
In simple terms: We can’t control what happens, but we can choose how we feel.
Key Takeaway
Focus on choosing positive perspectives.
Themes
agency
emotion
choice
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- therapy
- everyday stress
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
psychology
philosophy
resilience
Questions to Reflect On
- What emotions are healthy to choose?
- When is it appropriate to feel negative emotions?
A Different Perspective
Choosing positivity may ignore genuine pain or injustice.