--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is not what we choose that is…" description: "\"It is not what we choose that is important; it is the reason we choose it.\" — Caroline Myss" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b06/caroline-myss-1439_choose_it-is-not-what-we-choose-that-is-importa_1217744.png" --- # It is not what we choose that is important; it is the… ![“It is not what we choose that is important; it is the reason we choose it.” quote by Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b06/caroline-myss-1439_choose_it-is-not-what-we-choose-that-is-importa_1217744.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b06/caroline-myss-1439_choose_it-is-not-what-we-choose-that-is-importa_1217744.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b06/caroline-myss-1439_choose_it-is-not-what-we-choose-that-is-importa_1217744.png) > “It is not what we choose that is important; it is the reason we choose it.” [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Emphasizes that the underlying motives behind choices matter more than the choices themselves. **In simple terms:** Reasons matter more than choices. Key Takeaway Examine why you choose. Themes intention morality self-awareness Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career decisions - personal relationships - ethical dilemmas Key Concepts ethical philosophy psychology Questions to Reflect On - What drives your most important decisions? - Are your reasons aligned with your values? A Different Perspective Reasons can be rationalized after the fact. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comeback](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comeback/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligence/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) ## Related quotes > [I think you have to pick and choose what is most important to tell the story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-wilson/i-think-you-have-to-pick-and-choose-what-is-most-important-to-tell/) [Patrick Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-wilson/) > [Sometimes its hard to choose what we wanted in life, but still we need to choose which is most important, we cannot priority in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaymie-gassner/sometimes-its-hard-to-choose-what-we-wanted-in-life-but-still-we-need/) [Jaymie Gassner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaymie-gassner/) > [What do you think it is to be normal?' Why in the world would you want to be?' she says. I don't know. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-jones/what-do-you-think-it-is-to-be-normal-why-in-the-world-would-you-want/) [Patrick Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-jones/) > [Being a working mother is not easy, but I think it helps you choose what's important in your life. If I think about starting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-aguilera/being-a-working-mother-is-not-easy-but-i-think-it-helps-you-choose/) [Christina Aguilera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-aguilera/) > [“Choose what’s important to you, Macy. Not for the moment, but for eternity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hauck/choose-what-s-important-to-you-macy-not-for-the-moment-but-for/) [Rachel Hauck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hauck/) > [Just trying to, with age, you have to decide what's more important for you, choose what's more important for you as a person, father,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrei-arlovski/just-trying-to-with-age-you-have-to-decide-what-s-more-important-for/) [Andrei Arlovski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrei-arlovski/) > [What path you choose is not important. How intensely you pursue that path is much more important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/what-path-you-choose-is-not-important-how-intensely-you-pursue-that/) [Sri Sri Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/) > [You get to choose to do what's important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daryn-kagan/you-get-to-choose-to-do-what-s-important/) [Daryn Kagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daryn-kagan/) > [I really like Los Angeles - I had a good life out there. But the reason I choose to live in New York is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gets/i-really-like-los-angeles-i-had-a-good-life-out-there-but-the-reason/) [Malcolm Gets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gets/) > [“All the people, all the events in your life are put there for a reason. 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You always have to choose what's more important.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heidi-heilig/sometimes-a-person-has-to-let-go-of-something-to-take-hold-of/) [Heidi Heilig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heidi-heilig/) > [When life is the reason you choose to live, look again at the live's you have had an impact on, then live some more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathi-butler/when-life-is-the-reason-you-choose-to-live-look-again-at-the-live-s/) Kathi Butler > [It is not contrary to reason to prefer the destruction of the whole world to the scratching of my finger. It is not contrary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hume/it-is-not-contrary-to-reason-to-prefer-the-destruction-of-the-whole/) [David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hume/) > [Choose the least important day in your life. It will be important enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thornton-wilder/choose-the-least-important-day-in-your-life-it-will-be-important/) [Thornton Wilder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thornton-wilder/) ## More by Caroline Myss > [Your spirit is the part of you that seeks meaning and purpose. It's the part drawn to hope, that will not give in to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/your-spirit-is-the-part-of-you-that-seeks-meaning-and-purpose-it-s/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [“Manipulating or controlling others through the use of one's illness or suffering,for example,was-and remains-extremely effective for people who find they cannot be direct in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/manipulating-or-controlling-others-through-the-use-of-one-s-illness/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [Being of service is not an option, it is a biological necessity. Every kind of action we do for someone is a reanimation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/being-of-service-is-not-an-option-it-is-a-biological-necessity-every/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [In general, if a couple cannot expand their original rules and boundaries to accommodate personal growth, the relationship disintegrates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/in-general-if-a-couple-cannot-expand-their-original-rules-and/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [If you have life, you have purpose. It can't be otherwise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/if-you-have-life-you-have-purpose-it-can-t-be-otherwise/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [Intuitive guidance means having the self-esteem to recognize that the discomfort or confusion that a person feels is actually directing him to take charge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/intuitive-guidance-means-having-the-self-esteem-to-recognize-that-the/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [If you don't appreciate what you have in life right now, whatever it is, you will never realize your purpose. Without appreciation, you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/if-you-don-t-appreciate-what-you-have-in-life-right-now-whatever-it/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [Becoming adept at the process of self inquiry and symbolic insight is a vital spiritual task that leads to the growth of faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/becoming-adept-at-the-process-of-self-inquiry-and-symbolic-insight-is/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [One atom is as purposeful as our planet. What is in one is in the whole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/one-atom-is-as-purposeful-as-our-planet-what-is-in-one-is-in-the-whole/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [We #fear our intuitions because we fear the transformational power within our revelations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/we-fear-our-intuitions-because-we-fear-the-transformational-power/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [It is your birthright to discover your sacred contract. It will guide you to find your divine destiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/it-is-your-birthright-to-discover-your-sacred-contract-it-will-guide/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [We have converted our wounds into a type of relationship currency that we use in order to control situations and people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/we-have-converted-our-wounds-into-a-type-of-relationship-currency/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [The love that flows through your heart purifies not only your own spirit, but the love you share with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/the-love-that-flows-through-your-heart-purifies-not-only-your-own/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [Your body is your own planet Earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/your-body-is-your-own-planet-earth/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [Whenever you become empowered, you will be tested.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/whenever-you-become-empowered-you-will-be-tested/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) [Explore all 241 Caroline Myss quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) ## More Choose quotes > [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you have a choice, choose happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pancho-barnes/when-you-have-a-choice-choose-happy/) Pancho Barnes > [You dont choose your life; it chooses you. Theres no point asking why life has reserved certain joys or griefs, you just accept them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/you-dont-choose-your-life-it-chooses-you-theres-no-point-asking-why/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [If somebody asks me to choose a biopic, it would be Narain Karthikeyan because I love racing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naga-chaitanya/if-somebody-asks-me-to-choose-a-biopic-it-would-be-narain-karthikeyan/) [Naga Chaitanya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naga-chaitanya/) > [“Either you soften your ego, or the world will do it for you. Choose!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-mccoy/either-you-soften-your-ego-or-the-world-will-do-it-for-you-choose/) [Bert McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-mccoy/) > [I'm aware of who I am and I'm comfortable with who I choose to date.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shibani-dandekar/i-m-aware-of-who-i-am-and-i-m-comfortable-with-who-i-choose-to-date/) [Shibani Dandekar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shibani-dandekar/) > [No actor wants to choose - they just want all of the options available to them all the time; we tend to be pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-jacobs/no-actor-wants-to-choose-they-just-want-all-of-the-options-available/) [Gillian Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-jacobs/) > [If you choose to work at a larger company over a smaller company, you are more likely to be higher paid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-sweet/if-you-choose-to-work-at-a-larger-company-over-a-smaller-company-you/) [Julie Sweet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-sweet/) > [You can't choose what stays and what stays away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-welch/you-can-t-choose-what-stays-and-what-stays-away/) [Florence Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-welch/) > [It's only a thought and a thought can be changed. Choose good ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/it-s-only-a-thought-and-a-thought-can-be-changed-choose-good-ones/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime...so you gotta choose who is good for you! Be wise, be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/people-come-into-your-life-for-a-reason-a-season-or-a-lifetime-so-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm not opposed - we manufacture a lot of socks in North Carolina - I just choose not to wear them. It's a Southern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-burr/i-m-not-opposed-we-manufacture-a-lot-of-socks-in-north-carolina-i/) [Richard Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-burr/) > [Having too many options is bad. I want one person, just one. Not a whole bunch to choose from,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roderickthefirst/having-too-many-options-is-bad-i-want-one-person-just-one-not-a-whole/) RoderickTheFirst > [If I could be anyone, I'd choose the lead singer of Arcade Fire, Win Butler.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-kardashian/if-i-could-be-anyone-i-d-choose-the-lead-singer-of-arcade-fire-win/) [Rob Kardashian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-kardashian/) > [People are as happy as they choose to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ford/people-are-as-happy-as-they-choose-to-be/) [Henry Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ford/) Browse all 3,851 Choose quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is not what we choose that is important; it is the reason we choose it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Caroline Myss" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/it-is-not-what-we-choose-that-is-important-it-is-the-reason-we-choose/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Choose" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/it-is-not-what-we-choose-that-is-important-it-is-the-reason-we-choose/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b06/caroline-myss-1439_choose_it-is-not-what-we-choose-that-is-importa_1217744.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b06/caroline-myss-1439_choose_it-is-not-what-we-choose-that-is-importa_1217744.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b06/caroline-myss-1439_choose_it-is-not-what-we-choose-that-is-importa_1217744.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is not what we choose that is important; it is the reason we choose it.” — Caroline Myss", "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": "Caroline Myss", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is not what we choose...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/it-is-not-what-we-choose-that-is-important-it-is-the-reason-we-choose/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/it-is-not-what-we-choose-that-is-important-it-is-the-reason-we-choose/#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 } } ] } ```