--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We're not defined by our circumstances…" description: "\"We're not defined by our circumstances, and we can always find a way to rise above it.\" — Ashleigh Murray" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17d/ashleigh-murray-15933_always_we-re-not-defined-by-our-circumstances-a_1620557.jpg" --- # We're not defined by our circumstances, and we can always… ![“We're not defined by our circumstances, and we can always find a way to rise above it.” quote by Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17d/ashleigh-murray-15933_always_we-re-not-defined-by-our-circumstances-a_1620557.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17d/ashleigh-murray-15933_always_we-re-not-defined-by-our-circumstances-a_1620557.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17d/ashleigh-murray-15933_always_we-re-not-defined-by-our-circumstances-a_1620557.jpg) > “We're not defined by our circumstances, and we can always find a way to rise above it.” [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Murray asserts that personal identity isn’t limited by external conditions; we can always choose to overcome them. **In simple terms:** We can rise above circumstances. Key Takeaway Choose growth over limitation. Themes self‑empowerment overcoming adversity mindset Mood determined encouraging Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - Recovery from trauma - career change - education pursuit Key Concepts Growth mindset resilience self‑determination Questions to Reflect On - What resources help you rise above? - How do you support others in similar situations? A Different Perspective Overcoming may require resources not everyone has. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Always](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) [Circumstances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circumstances/) [Circumstances Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circumstances-way-265319/) [Defined Circumstances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defined-circumstances-265321/) [Find](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/find/) [Rise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rise/) [Rise above](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rise-above/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Way Rise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way-rise-265320/) ## Related quotes > [As a Southerner and as a Mormon you approach life in this aspirational way: 'I will rise above my station.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-lance-black/as-a-southerner-and-as-a-mormon-you-approach-life-in-this/) [Dustin Lance Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-lance-black/) > [The way to rise is to obey and please.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-jonson/the-way-to-rise-is-to-obey-and-please/) [Ben Jonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-jonson/) > [Such ever was love's way: to rise, it stoops.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/such-ever-was-love-s-way-to-rise-it-stoops/) [Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/) > [“Class is not defined by our circumstances - it is our reaction to those circumstances that defines who we are.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-christy/class-is-not-defined-by-our-circumstances-it-is-our-reaction-to-those/) [Jordan Christy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-christy/) > [“But what I want to know is, is there a you independent of circumstances? Is there a way-down-deep me who is an actual, real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/but-what-i-want-to-know-is-is-there-a-you-independent-of/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [It's not like I'm looking to describe something that's only true of my own circumstances. It's beyond. It's way inside, you know. It's reaching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackson-browne/it-s-not-like-i-m-looking-to-describe-something-that-s-only-true-of/) [Jackson Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackson-browne/) > [“I say, Show me the way. You say, Put your head under your feet. That way you rise through the stars and see a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-say-show-me-the-way-you-say-put-your-head-under-your-feet-that-way/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Unfortunately, I have realized that we cannot completely erase all the evil from the world, but we can change the way we deal with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zlata-filipovi/unfortunately-i-have-realized-that-we-cannot-completely-erase-all-the/) [Zlata Filipović](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zlata-filipovi/) > [Rise above and soar like eagles to your purpose!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/porsha-williams/rise-above-and-soar-like-eagles-to-your-purpose/) [Porsha Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/porsha-williams/) > [The future belongs to those who can rise above the confines of the earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/the-future-belongs-to-those-who-can-rise-above-the-confines-of-the/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [Successful people are able to rise above crises by relaxing no matter what the external situation. Their belief in themselves, the strength of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/successful-people-are-able-to-rise-above-crises-by-relaxing-no-matter/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [We only rise above mediocrity when there's something at stake. p. 174](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/we-only-rise-above-mediocrity-when-there-s-something-at-stake-p-174/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [It is important for the film industry to rise above ageism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dia-mirza/it-is-important-for-the-film-industry-to-rise-above-ageism/) [Dia Mirza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dia-mirza/) > [No one man can rise above the masses or the condition of his people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-johnson/no-one-man-can-rise-above-the-masses-or-the-condition-of-his-people/) [Larry Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-johnson/) > [Let us rise above the things that pass away. Up above, the air is so pure. Jesus can hide Himself but we will find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/therese-of-lisieux/let-us-rise-above-the-things-that-pass-away-up-above-the-air-is-so/) [Therese of Lisieux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/therese-of-lisieux/) ## More by Ashleigh Murray > [Sometimes people can be wary of standing up... but I don't have a problem doing that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/sometimes-people-can-be-wary-of-standing-up-but-i-don-t-have-a/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [It doesn't matter what background you come from; it doesn't matter what your circumstances are - you can survive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/it-doesn-t-matter-what-background-you-come-from-it-doesn-t-matter/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [My longest relationship with my first boyfriend was eight and a half years. We broke up a handful of times over those years, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/my-longest-relationship-with-my-first-boyfriend-was-eight-and-a-half/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [My mother is gay. She was married to my dad up until I was 9. She was just like, 'I'm tired of this. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/my-mother-is-gay-she-was-married-to-my-dad-up-until-i-was-9-she-was/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [We are not all the same. If you care that much, if you're that invested in us as artists and the changes that we're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/we-are-not-all-the-same-if-you-care-that-much-if-you-re-that-invested/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [Whatever it is that you want to achieve, you absolutely can do it - you just have to apply yourself. Don't break the law...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/whatever-it-is-that-you-want-to-achieve-you-absolutely-can-do-it-you/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [I've never had the passion of wanting to be the next Monica or Beyonce or anything like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/i-ve-never-had-the-passion-of-wanting-to-be-the-next-monica-or/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [I didn't really feel like I knew who I was until I was 24.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/i-didn-t-really-feel-like-i-knew-who-i-was-until-i-was-24/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [I did musicals. It's funny, because I can hide behind a character and a voice, but when I have to bring myself and my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/i-did-musicals-it-s-funny-because-i-can-hide-behind-a-character-and-a/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [I would be remiss not to take advantage of this platform that I have, because I don't want any other woman or girl feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/i-would-be-remiss-not-to-take-advantage-of-this-platform-that-i-have/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [I hope I give a good performance; I hope it's enjoyable. If I'm a villain and you hate me, that means I'm doing my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/i-hope-i-give-a-good-performance-i-hope-it-s-enjoyable-if-i-m-a/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [I love going to karaoke with friends if I'm having a really tough time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/i-love-going-to-karaoke-with-friends-if-i-m-having-a-really-tough-time/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [I was just this little theater geek. I joined the drama program my freshman year. I read the morning announcements my sophomore year. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/i-was-just-this-little-theater-geek-i-joined-the-drama-program-my/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [Usually, when people are asked, 'Would you ever do high school again?' a good 99 percent of them say, 'Oh God, no. I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/usually-when-people-are-asked-would-you-ever-do-high-school-again-a/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [I'm not moving to L.A.! That's not happening unless I have to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/i-m-not-moving-to-l-a-that-s-not-happening-unless-i-have-to/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) [Explore all 41 Ashleigh Murray quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) [Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We're not defined by our circumstances, and we can always find a way to rise above it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ashleigh Murray" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/we-re-not-defined-by-our-circumstances-and-we-can-always-find-a-way/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Always" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/we-re-not-defined-by-our-circumstances-and-we-can-always-find-a-way/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17d/ashleigh-murray-15933_always_we-re-not-defined-by-our-circumstances-a_1620557.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17d/ashleigh-murray-15933_always_we-re-not-defined-by-our-circumstances-a_1620557.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17d/ashleigh-murray-15933_always_we-re-not-defined-by-our-circumstances-a_1620557.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We're not defined by our circumstances, and we can always find a way to rise above it.” — Ashleigh Murray", "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": "Ashleigh Murray", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We're not defined by our circumstances,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/we-re-not-defined-by-our-circumstances-and-we-can-always-find-a-way/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/we-re-not-defined-by-our-circumstances-and-we-can-always-find-a-way/#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 } } ] } ```