--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A Permeable Life is about what presses…" description: "\"“A Permeable Life is about what presses out from the heart, what comes in at a slant and what shimmers below the surface of things. To live permeably i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27d/carrie-newcomer-33630_astonishment_a-permeable-life-is-about-what-presses-o_2675448.jpg" --- # A Permeable Life is about what presses out from the heart… ![“A Permeable Life is about what presses out from the heart, what comes in at a slant and what shimmers below the surface of things. To live permeably is to be open-hearted and audacious, to risk showing up as our truest self, and embracing a willingness to be astonished.” quote by Carrie Newcomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27d/carrie-newcomer-33630_astonishment_a-permeable-life-is-about-what-presses-o_2675448.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27d/carrie-newcomer-33630_astonishment_a-permeable-life-is-about-what-presses-o_2675448.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27d/carrie-newcomer-33630_astonishment_a-permeable-life-is-about-what-presses-o_2675448.jpg) > ““A Permeable Life is about what presses out from the heart, what comes in at a slant and what shimmers below the surface of things. To live permeably is to be open-hearted and audacious, to risk showing up as our truest self, and embracing a willingness to be astonished.”” [Carrie Newcomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-newcomer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Living openly means allowing heart‑driven input, daring authenticity, and wonder. **In simple terms:** Be open, daring, amazed. Key Takeaway Live authentically, welcome wonder. Themes authenticity vulnerability wonder Mood inspirational hopeful Type spiritual literary When to use this quote - relationships - creative work - spiritual practice Key Concepts heart‑centered living self‑expression mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - What does openness look like for you? - How can you stay safe while being authentic? A Different Perspective Risk of over‑exposure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Astonishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astonishment/) [Authenticity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authenticity/) [Presence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presence/) ## Related quotes > [“Dear heart, we embrace the song and the story and all our gifts because the world has such great need, and because the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-newcomer/dear-heart-we-embrace-the-song-and-the-story-and-all-our-gifts/) [Carrie Newcomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-newcomer/) > [“But miracles do happen, every shining now and then. If not now, if not now, tell me when. From "If Not Now ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-newcomer/but-miracles-do-happen-every-shining-now-and-then-if-not-now-if-not/) [Carrie Newcomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-newcomer/) > [“There are some questions, there are some answers, the simple ones, the most important ones, that cannot be approached or even seen, until we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-newcomer/there-are-some-questions-there-are-some-answers-the-simple-ones-the/) [Carrie Newcomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-newcomer/) > [“God walks 'round in muddy boots, sometimes rags and that's the truth. You can't always tell but sometimes you just know. " From Geodes”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-newcomer/god-walks-round-in-muddy-boots-sometimes-rags-and-that-s-the-truth/) [Carrie Newcomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-newcomer/) > [“Our culture reasons that because we fell there is not enough time, we should increase our pace, multitask, and fit more into our already…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-newcomer/our-culture-reasons-that-because-we-fell-there-is-not-enough-time-we/) [Carrie Newcomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-newcomer/) > [“I am the permeable membrane. If I love you, you can have everything. You can have my time, my devotion, my ass, my money,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-am-the-permeable-membrane-if-i-love-you-you-can-have-everything-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think I'm very permeable. I can very easily, without even choosing to do it, enter the life of another. Or, to put it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-berger/i-think-i-m-very-permeable-i-can-very-easily-without-even-choosing-to/) [John Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-berger/) > [The line between good and evil is movable and it's permeable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-zimbardo/the-line-between-good-and-evil-is-movable-and-it-s-permeable/) [Philip Zimbardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-zimbardo/) > [Within the silence, expansion, and sustained day by day concentration, I grow permeable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-hirshfield/within-the-silence-expansion-and-sustained-day-by-day-concentration-i/) [Jane Hirshfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-hirshfield/) > [“Life is not a competition. No one has to lose for someone else to win. A true blessing blesses everyone. A fragmented love which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-goddard/life-is-not-a-competition-no-one-has-to-lose-for-someone-else-to-win/) [Donna Goddard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-goddard/) > [“Caring is open-hearted, keeping us available to transmit love to a stranger through simple eye contact and without condition. This is not the opportunistic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-katehakis/caring-is-open-hearted-keeping-us-available-to-transmit-love-to-a/) [Alexandra Katehakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-katehakis/) > [“Mr. Elliot was rational, discreet, polished, – but he was not open. There was never any burst of feeling, any warmth of indignation or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/mr-elliot-was-rational-discreet-polished-but-he-was-not-open-there/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [“She prized the frank, the open-hearted, the eager character beyond all others. Warmth and enthusiasm did captivate her still. She felt that she could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/she-prized-the-frank-the-open-hearted-the-eager-character-beyond-all/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [The minute a person whose word means a great deal dares to take the open-hearted and courageous way, many others follow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-anderson/the-minute-a-person-whose-word-means-a-great-deal-dares-to-take-the/) [Marian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-anderson/) > [The fragrance of the heart is made up of the qualities and virtues of our spirit. Most of us have learned how to keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/the-fragrance-of-the-heart-is-made-up-of-the-qualities-and-virtues-of/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) ## More by Carrie Newcomer > [“Dear heart, we embrace the song and the story and all our gifts because the world has such great need, and because the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-newcomer/dear-heart-we-embrace-the-song-and-the-story-and-all-our-gifts/) [Carrie Newcomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-newcomer/) > [Holy is the dish and drain, the soap and sink, and the cup and plate and the warm wool socks, and the cold white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-newcomer/holy-is-the-dish-and-drain-the-soap-and-sink-and-the-cup-and-plate/) [Carrie Newcomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-newcomer/) > [There's a spiritual current in my work because there's a spiritual current in my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-newcomer/there-s-a-spiritual-current-in-my-work-because-there-s-a-spiritual/) [Carrie Newcomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-newcomer/) > [“God walks 'round in muddy boots, sometimes rags and that's the truth. You can't always tell but sometimes you just know. " From Geodes”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-newcomer/god-walks-round-in-muddy-boots-sometimes-rags-and-that-s-the-truth/) [Carrie Newcomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-newcomer/) > [“Something good happened to my writing when stopped being afraid to do something simple, for the fear that people might think I couldn’t do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-newcomer/something-good-happened-to-my-writing-when-stopped-being-afraid-to-do/) [Carrie Newcomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-newcomer/) > [Every night before I go to sleep I say out loud three things that I am grateful for, all the significant, insignificant, extraordinary, ordinary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-newcomer/every-night-before-i-go-to-sleep-i-say-out-loud-three-things-that-i/) [Carrie Newcomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-newcomer/) > [A dog is grateful for what is, which I am finding to be the soundest kind of wisdom and very good theology.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-newcomer/a-dog-is-grateful-for-what-is-which-i-am-finding-to-be-the-soundest/) [Carrie Newcomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-newcomer/) > [If I could turn down the noise of my own will and choiceI could hear the truth of my life in a clear voice.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-newcomer/if-i-could-turn-down-the-noise-of-my-own-will-and-choicei-could-hear/) [Carrie Newcomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-newcomer/) > [Never doubt or question the power of love or one woman with a shovel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-newcomer/never-doubt-or-question-the-power-of-love-or-one-woman-with-a-shovel/) [Carrie Newcomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-newcomer/) > [“There are some questions, there are some answers, the simple ones, the most important ones, that cannot be approached or even seen, until we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-newcomer/there-are-some-questions-there-are-some-answers-the-simple-ones-the/) [Carrie Newcomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-newcomer/) > [Sometimes you just close your eyes and jump... you don't think too long or maybe you just won't. Sometimes you just follow your heart,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-newcomer/sometimes-you-just-close-your-eyes-and-jump-you-don-t-think-too-long/) [Carrie Newcomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-newcomer/) > [“But miracles do happen, every shining now and then. If not now, if not now, tell me when. From "If Not Now ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-newcomer/but-miracles-do-happen-every-shining-now-and-then-if-not-now-if-not/) [Carrie Newcomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-newcomer/) > [“Our culture reasons that because we fell there is not enough time, we should increase our pace, multitask, and fit more into our already…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-newcomer/our-culture-reasons-that-because-we-fell-there-is-not-enough-time-we/) [Carrie Newcomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-newcomer/) [Explore all 14 Carrie Newcomer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-newcomer/) ## More Astonishment quotes > [“A writer lives, at least, in a state of astonishment. Beneath any feeling he has of the good or evil of the world lies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-sansom/a-writer-lives-at-least-in-a-state-of-astonishment-beneath-any/) [William Sansom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-sansom/) > [Rich men are resolved to be astonished at nothing. When they see a masterpiece, they must needs at one glance recognize some flaw to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/rich-men-are-resolved-to-be-astonished-at-nothing-when-they-see-a/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [A lot of what I am looking for is a moment of astonishment, he says. Those moments of pure consciousness when you involuntarily inhale…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-meyerowitz/a-lot-of-what-i-am-looking-for-is-a-moment-of-astonishment-he-says/) [Joel Meyerowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-meyerowitz/) > [If there be a skeptical star I was born under it. Yet I have lived all my days in complete astonishment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-macneile-dixon/if-there-be-a-skeptical-star-i-was-born-under-it-yet-i-have-lived-all/) [William Macneile Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-macneile-dixon/) > [If you aren't constantly astonished at God's grace in your solitude, there's no way it can happen in public.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/if-you-aren-t-constantly-astonished-at-god-s-grace-in-your-solitude/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“Witness each moment in astounded jubilation. Take every holy breath in gratitude. Rejoice in life!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/witness-each-moment-in-astounded-jubilation-take-every-holy-breath-in/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [Those who have past much of their lives in this great city, look upon its opulence and its multitudes, its extent and variety, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/those-who-have-past-much-of-their-lives-in-this-great-city-look-upon/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“See? Nothing to it." "I see all right," Carly said, her tone full of awe. She gaped at him. "What?" "Um..." "Jesus, Carly, what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lissa-bryan/see-nothing-to-it-i-see-all-right-carly-said-her-tone-full-of-awe-she/) [Lissa Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lissa-bryan/) > [For a moment Clary thought she might fall; she felt as if something essential had been torn away from her, an arm or a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/for-a-moment-clary-thought-she-might-fall-she-felt-as-if-something/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Both of you’ll just have to believe me. Emma’s one of those women who was born with… The thing is, the minute a heterosexual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-elizabeth-phillips/both-of-you-ll-just-have-to-believe-me-emma-s-one-of-those-women-who/) [Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-elizabeth-phillips/) > [“For the analyst it is a source of never-ending astonishment how comparatively well a person can function with the core of himself not participating.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-horney/for-the-analyst-it-is-a-source-of-never-ending-astonishment-how/) [Karen Horney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-horney/) > [It was only when I lay there on the rotting prison straw that I sensed within myself the first stirrings of good. 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The Ancient of Days…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-john-chrysostom/what-shall-i-say-and-how-shall-i-describe-this-birth-to-you-for-this/) [Saint John Chrysostom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-john-chrysostom/) [Browse all 227 Astonishment quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astonishment/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“A Permeable Life is about what presses out from the heart, what comes in at a slant and what shimmers below the surface of things. 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