--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Life is a refining process. Our response…" description: "\"Life is a refining process. Our response to it determines whether we'll be ground down or polished up. On a piano, one person sits down and plays sonat..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d53/barbara-johnson-8544_attitude_life-is-a-refining-process-our-response_1680687.png" --- # Life is a refining process. Our response to it determines… ![“Life is a refining process. Our response to it determines whether we'll be ground down or polished up. On a piano, one person sits down and plays sonatas, while another merely bangs away at "Chopsticks." The piano is not responsible. It's how you touch the keys that makes the difference. It's how…” quote by Barbara Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d53/barbara-johnson-8544_attitude_life-is-a-refining-process-our-response_1680687.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d53/barbara-johnson-8544_attitude_life-is-a-refining-process-our-response_1680687.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d53/barbara-johnson-8544_attitude_life-is-a-refining-process-our-response_1680687.png) > “Life is a refining process. Our response to it determines whether we'll be ground down or polished up. On a piano, one person sits down and plays sonatas, while another merely bangs away at "Chopsticks." The piano is not responsible. It's how you touch the keys that makes the difference. It's how you play what life gives you that determines your joy and shine.” [Barbara Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-johnson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Life shapes us; our attitude decides if we become refined or damaged. **In simple terms:** Your attitude decides if life improves you or breaks you. Key Takeaway Cultivate a mindful, constructive approach. Themes growth resilience mindset Mood reflective encouraging Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - stress management - skill learning - creative work - emotional healing Key Concepts Self‑improvement psychology human potential Questions to Reflect On - How do you respond to setbacks? - What habits help you stay polished? A Different Perspective External circumstances can still cause harm despite a positive mindset. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Bangs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bangs/) [Chopsticks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chopsticks/) [Determine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determine/) [Differences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences/) [Down and](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/down-and/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy/) [Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/keys/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-is/) [Life Refining](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-refining-954104/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Piano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/piano/) [Piano Person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/piano-person-954106/) [Piano Responsible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/piano-responsible-954103/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Polished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/polished/) [Polished Piano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/polished-piano-954105/) [Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process/) [Refining](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refining/) [Response](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/response/) [Responsible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsible/) [Shining](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shining/) [Sonatas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sonatas/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) ## Related quotes > [I bought a piano once because I had the dream of playing As Time Goes By as some girl's leaning on it drinking a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-clooney/i-bought-a-piano-once-because-i-had-the-dream-of-playing-as-time-goes/) [George Clooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-clooney/) > [“Just these,” Nina replied, holding up a fist full of balsa wood chopsticks. “That’s okay,” Walter said, tipping the box to his lips like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christa-faust/just-these-nina-replied-holding-up-a-fist-full-of-balsa-wood/) [Christa Faust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christa-faust/) > [“If I ever go to China, I’m going to find a piano and play “Chopsticks”--only not with my fingers, but rather I’ll be using…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/if-i-ever-go-to-china-i-m-going-to-find-a-piano-and-play-chopsticks/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [Sybil tells me your little festival is an annual occurrence," she said, the cadence of her voice swooning like a lullaby. "Yes," Kai said,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marissa-meyer/sybil-tells-me-your-little-festival-is-an-annual-occurrence-she-said/) [Marissa Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marissa-meyer/) > [Tip your drag queens, bartenders, and don't rub your chopsticks together at the sushi restaurant. Also, just in general, don't be a dirtbag human.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aquaria/tip-your-drag-queens-bartenders-and-don-t-rub-your-chopsticks/) [Aquaria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aquaria/) > [There is a unique freshness when eating buckwheat noodles cold with plenty of herbs and citrus acidity. I can't think of any better use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yotam-ottolenghi/there-is-a-unique-freshness-when-eating-buckwheat-noodles-cold-with/) [Yotam Ottolenghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yotam-ottolenghi/) > [Trying to hit Phil Niekro is like trying to eat jello with chopsticks. Sometimes you get a piece but most of the time you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-murcer/trying-to-hit-phil-niekro-is-like-trying-to-eat-jello-with-chopsticks/) [Bobby Murcer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-murcer/) > [Chopsticks box! I didn't know before and put them on the table and my Japan friends scolded me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seungri/chopsticks-box-i-didn-t-know-before-and-put-them-on-the-table-and-my/) [Seungri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seungri/) > [I only started to understand the concept of "environmental protection" 14 years ago. I was an ambassador for a charity event, and the staff…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-bingbing/i-only-started-to-understand-the-concept-of-environmental-protection/) [Li Bingbing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-bingbing/) > [I remember watching steak being cooked on TV and wanting to try it. As a special treat, my mother cooked it for me, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nobu-matsuhisa/i-remember-watching-steak-being-cooked-on-tv-and-wanting-to-try-it-as/) [Nobu Matsuhisa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nobu-matsuhisa/) > [I don't want to get burned when I'm cooking. To avoid getting hit when pan-frying, I stand far away and use chopsticks that are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-huang/i-don-t-want-to-get-burned-when-i-m-cooking-to-avoid-getting-hit-when/) [Eddie Huang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-huang/) > [All too frequently the amateur will purchase a fine modern camera and proceed to use it for making the most elementary simple snapshots. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-haskins/all-too-frequently-the-amateur-will-purchase-a-fine-modern-camera-and/) [Sam Haskins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-haskins/) > [I joke that I came out of my mother with chopsticks in my hands. But one of my earliest memories is of my dad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gok-wan/i-joke-that-i-came-out-of-my-mother-with-chopsticks-in-my-hands-but/) [Gok Wan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gok-wan/) > [I started out playing 'Chopsticks.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-russell/i-started-out-playing-chopsticks/) [Leon Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-russell/) > [I got so used to using chopsticks that using a fork and knife is weird.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephon-marbury/i-got-so-used-to-using-chopsticks-that-using-a-fork-and-knife-is-weird/) [Stephon Marbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephon-marbury/) ## More by Barbara Johnson > [Forgiveness is a stunning principle, your ticket out of hate and fear and chaos. ... I know what regret feels like; I've earned my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-johnson/forgiveness-is-a-stunning-principle-your-ticket-out-of-hate-and-fear/) [Barbara Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-johnson/) > [Change is a process not an event.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-johnson/change-is-a-process-not-an-event/) [Barbara Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-johnson/) > [We can choose to gather to our hearts the thorns of disappointment, failure, loneliness, and dismay in our present situation. Or we can gather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-johnson/we-can-choose-to-gather-to-our-hearts-the-thorns-of-disappointment/) [Barbara Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-johnson/) > [If things are tough, remember that every flower that ever bloomed had to go through a whole lot of dirt to get there. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-johnson/if-things-are-tough-remember-that-every-flower-that-ever-bloomed-had/) [Barbara Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-johnson/) > [How will you use the years God gives you? Will you be remembered for being a fault-finder? Or will you be known for your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-johnson/how-will-you-use-the-years-god-gives-you-will-you-be-remembered-for/) [Barbara Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-johnson/) > [Worry is the senseless process of cluttering up tomorrows opportunities with leftover problems from today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-johnson/worry-is-the-senseless-process-of-cluttering-up-tomorrows/) [Barbara Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-johnson/) > [“Men are like parking spaces, the good ones are already taken and the ones left are running out of their metres”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-johnson/men-are-like-parking-spaces-the-good-ones-are-already-taken-and-the/) [Barbara Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-johnson/) > [Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-johnson/never-let-a-problem-to-be-solved-become-more-important-than-a-person/) [Barbara Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-johnson/) > [If we give someone a piece of bread and butter, that's kindness, but if we put jelly or peanut butter on it, then it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-johnson/if-we-give-someone-a-piece-of-bread-and-butter-that-s-kindness-but-if/) [Barbara Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-johnson/) > [Violets are God's apology for February.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-johnson/violets-are-god-s-apology-for-february/) [Barbara Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-johnson/) > [Don’t let your life speed out of control. Live intentionally. Do something today that will last beyond your lifetime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-johnson/don-t-let-your-life-speed-out-of-control-live-intentionally-do/) [Barbara Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-johnson/) > [God will never let you sink under your circumstances. He always provides a safety net and His love always encircles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-johnson/god-will-never-let-you-sink-under-your-circumstances-he-always/) [Barbara Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-johnson/) > [Winners see an answer for every problem; losers see a problem in every answer!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-johnson/winners-see-an-answer-for-every-problem-losers-see-a-problem-in-every/) [Barbara Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-johnson/) > [We spend our lives dreaming of the future, not realizing that a little of it slips away every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-johnson/we-spend-our-lives-dreaming-of-the-future-not-realizing-that-a-little/) [Barbara Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-johnson/) > [Motherhood: if it were going to be easy, it never would have started with something called labor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-johnson/motherhood-if-it-were-going-to-be-easy-it-never-would-have-started/) [Barbara Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-johnson/) [Explore all 80 Barbara Johnson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-johnson/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) [Isaiah Harden (Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaiah-harden-me/) > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) [Sheye Hassan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheye-hassan/) > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Life is a refining process. Our response to it determines whether we'll be ground down or polished up. On a piano, one person sits down and plays sonatas, while another merely bangs away at \"Chopsticks.\" The piano is not responsible. 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