--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is the child turning his head, wanting…" description: "\"“It is the child turning his head, wanting to breathe something more than soil-warm dinner, the one day laughter of his own child which makes a man in ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/968/allen-gray-218060_children_it-is-the-child-turning-his-head-wanting_1240280.jpg" --- # It is the child turning his head, wanting to breathe… ![“It is the child turning his head, wanting to breathe something more than soil-warm dinner, the one day laughter of his own child which makes a man in a foreign land chamber a round. Swift but surgical, his decision closes heaven‟s door―but decide he must should it open again for anyone willing to…” quote by Allen Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/968/allen-gray-218060_children_it-is-the-child-turning-his-head-wanting_1240280.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/968/allen-gray-218060_children_it-is-the-child-turning-his-head-wanting_1240280.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/968/allen-gray-218060_children_it-is-the-child-turning-his-head-wanting_1240280.jpg) > ““It is the child turning his head, wanting to breathe something more than soil-warm dinner, the one day laughter of his own child which makes a man in a foreign land chamber a round. Swift but surgical, his decision closes heaven‟s door―but decide he must should it open again for anyone willing to wipe the dirt from his face and stand." --from Shepherd Bodhisattva”” [Allen Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-gray/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A man in exile finds purpose by helping others breathe and laugh, symbolizing compassion and renewal. **In simple terms:** Compassion renews purpose. Key Takeaway Serve others to find meaning. Themes compassion exile purpose renewal spirituality Mood reflective hopeful solemn Type poetic philosophical When to use this quote - volunteering - mentor work - community outreach Key Concepts Bodhisattva service human connection Questions to Reflect On - How does helping others heal oneself? - What boundaries are needed? A Different Perspective Self-sacrifice can lead to burnout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Closes Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/closes-heaven-3869061/) [Heaven Door](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven-door-700068/) [Laughter Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laughter-child-3869064/) [Shepherd Bodhisattva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shepherd-bodhisattva-3869062/) [Wanting Breathe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanting-breathe-3869063/) ## Related quotes > [“we ended up closing the show with the cover song we had tried during sound check that afternoon, “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duff-mckagan/we-ended-up-closing-the-show-with-the-cover-song-we-had-tried-during/) [Duff McKagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duff-mckagan/) > [I feel like I'm knockin' on heaven's door.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/i-feel-like-i-m-knockin-on-heaven-s-door/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [Jesus Christ opened heaven's door for us by His death on the cross.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/jesus-christ-opened-heaven-s-door-for-us-by-his-death-on-the-cross/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [The tiny space, the toilet, two hundred strangers just a few inches away, it's so exciting, the lack of room to maneuver, it helps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/the-tiny-space-the-toilet-two-hundred-strangers-just-a-few-inches/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [“If ever you have had a romantic, uncalculating friendship, - a boundless worship and belief in some hero of your soul, - if ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/if-ever-you-have-had-a-romantic-uncalculating-friendship-a-boundless/) [Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) > [For you I'd knock on heaven's door, And ask for an angel To draw a smile on your face. I'd take your tear and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-h-s/for-you-i-d-knock-on-heaven-s-door-and-ask-for-an-angel-to-draw-a/) [Emma H S](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-h-s/) > [“Jack," I said, "why don't you go check on Sam?" Maybe you can advise her on getting through those doors. OR you could sing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/jack-i-said-why-don-t-you-go-check-on-sam-maybe-you-can-advise-her-on/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [My embarrassing confession is that my father is a 'Camelot: The Musical' obsessive. So as a child, when we were going to visit relatives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-chibnall/my-embarrassing-confession-is-that-my-father-is-a-camelot-the-musical/) [Chris Chibnall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-chibnall/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It doesnt seem to me strange that children should like the macabre, the sensational, and the forbidden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hecht/it-doesnt-seem-to-me-strange-that-children-should-like-the-macabre/) [Anthony Hecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hecht/) > [If the audience likes your work, if they like you, they don't think whether you are married or have children or not. I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/if-the-audience-likes-your-work-if-they-like-you-they-don-t-think/) [Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/) > [I believe in freedom to do what you want if you aren't hurting others, but pictures of obese protesters giving their children big gulps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-defranco/i-believe-in-freedom-to-do-what-you-want-if-you-aren-t-hurting-others/) [Philip DeFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-defranco/) > [Behind every successful child is an adult who believed in him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/behind-every-successful-child-is-an-adult-who-believed-in-him/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) ## More Children quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [Behind every successful child is an adult who believed in him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/behind-every-successful-child-is-an-adult-who-believed-in-him/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [I believe in freedom to do what you want if you aren't hurting others, but pictures of obese protesters giving their children big gulps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-defranco/i-believe-in-freedom-to-do-what-you-want-if-you-aren-t-hurting-others/) [Philip DeFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-defranco/) > [If the audience likes your work, if they like you, they don't think whether you are married or have children or not. I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/if-the-audience-likes-your-work-if-they-like-you-they-don-t-think/) [Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/) > [It doesnt seem to me strange that children should like the macabre, the sensational, and the forbidden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hecht/it-doesnt-seem-to-me-strange-that-children-should-like-the-macabre/) [Anthony Hecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hecht/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [My embarrassing confession is that my father is a 'Camelot: The Musical' obsessive. So as a child, when we were going to visit relatives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-chibnall/my-embarrassing-confession-is-that-my-father-is-a-camelot-the-musical/) [Chris Chibnall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-chibnall/) > [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/) [Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/) > [My school was one of the most beautiful places a child can grow up in. You are surrounded by nature - cats, dogs, birds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amala-akkineni/my-school-was-one-of-the-most-beautiful-places-a-child-can-grow-up-in/) [Amala Akkineni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amala-akkineni/) > [A lesser complaint: hair extensions. There are moments on 'All My Children' when half the women actors, young and old, seem to be afflicted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/a-lesser-complaint-hair-extensions-there-are-moments-on-all-my/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [As a child, I had a lot of older gay men taking care of me. There's a trust there. I feel like little girls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-cho/as-a-child-i-had-a-lot-of-older-gay-men-taking-care-of-me-there-s-a/) [Margaret Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-cho/) > [If my child had prejudice in his head, I'd be ashamed. I would see it as my failure as a parent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/if-my-child-had-prejudice-in-his-head-i-d-be-ashamed-i-would-see-it/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [“Children's lives are always beginning and adults' lives are always ending. Or is it the opposite? Your childhood is always ending and your adult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-espach/children-s-lives-are-always-beginning-and-adults-lives-are-always/) [Alison Espach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-espach/) > [As a child I was very involved with sports and I knew at age 9 that I wanted to be an Olympic champion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-jones/as-a-child-i-was-very-involved-with-sports-and-i-knew-at-age-9-that-i/) [Marion Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-jones/) [Browse all 62,396 Children quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It is the child turning his head, wanting to breathe something more than soil-warm dinner, the one day laughter of his own child which makes a man in a foreign land chamber a round. Swift but surgical, his decision closes heaven‟s door―but decide he must should it open again for anyone willing to wipe the dirt from his face and stand.\" --from Shepherd Bodhisattva”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Allen Gray" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-gray/it-is-the-child-turning-his-head-wanting-to-breathe-something-more/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Children" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-gray/it-is-the-child-turning-his-head-wanting-to-breathe-something-more/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/968/allen-gray-218060_children_it-is-the-child-turning-his-head-wanting_1240280.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/968/allen-gray-218060_children_it-is-the-child-turning-his-head-wanting_1240280.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/968/allen-gray-218060_children_it-is-the-child-turning-his-head-wanting_1240280.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is the child turning his head, wanting to breathe something more than soil-warm dinner, the one day…” — Allen Gray", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Allen Gray", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-gray/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“It is the child turning his...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-gray/it-is-the-child-turning-his-head-wanting-to-breathe-something-more/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-gray/it-is-the-child-turning-his-head-wanting-to-breathe-something-more/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```