--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Life is suffering. We have desires and…" description: "\"Life is suffering. We have desires and expectations and egos, and we compare the reality we have, which is miraculous and wondrous, with this reality w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9f/alan-ball-7404_compare_life-is-suffering-we-have-desires-and-ex_2158472.jpg" --- # Life is suffering. We have desires and expectations and… ![“Life is suffering. We have desires and expectations and egos, and we compare the reality we have, which is miraculous and wondrous, with this reality we desire. That somehow distances us from actually taking part fully with the reality we do have, and that creates suffering. For me, the thing that…” quote by Alan Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9f/alan-ball-7404_compare_life-is-suffering-we-have-desires-and-ex_2158472.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9f/alan-ball-7404_compare_life-is-suffering-we-have-desires-and-ex_2158472.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9f/alan-ball-7404_compare_life-is-suffering-we-have-desires-and-ex_2158472.jpg) > “Life is suffering. We have desires and expectations and egos, and we compare the reality we have, which is miraculous and wondrous, with this reality we desire. That somehow distances us from actually taking part fully with the reality we do have, and that creates suffering. For me, the thing that I love is that it's all about the present moment.” [Alan Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-ball/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We suffer when we cling to desires and compare our lives to an imagined ideal, missing the wonder of the present. **In simple terms:** Desire creates suffering; presence heals. Key Takeaway Embrace the now, let go of comparison. Themes mindfulness desire suffering presence acceptance Mood reflective calm hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - daily meditation - therapy sessions - creative work - relationship conflicts Key Concepts Buddhist philosophy psychology existentialism Questions to Reflect On - What expectations keep you from appreciating today? - How can you practice presence in stressful moments? A Different Perspective Suffering can also arise from external hardships, not just mental comparison. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Ego](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ego/) [Expectations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expectations/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life Is Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-is-suffering/) [Miraculous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miraculous/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Present moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/present-moment/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) ## Related quotes > [Most people get a fair amount of fun out of their lives, but on balance life is suffering, and only the very young or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/most-people-get-a-fair-amount-of-fun-out-of-their-lives-but-on/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [“Life is suffering. 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