Attention Quote by Charles de Lint
“I've always been aware of the otherworld, of spirits that exist in that twilight place that lies in the corner of our eyes, of fairie and stranger things still that we spy only when we're not really paying attention to them, whispers and flickering shadows, here one moment, gone the instant we turn our heads for a closer look. But I couldn't always find them. And when I did, for a long time I thought they were only this excess of imagination that I carry around inside me, that somehow it was leaking out of me into the world.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Moonheart by Charles de Lint, 1984
The quote describes a sensitivity to unseen, magical aspects of reality that are often missed when we focus too directly, suggesting a blend of imagination and perception.
In simple terms: Seeing hidden magic requires a relaxed, attentive mind.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate quiet awareness to notice subtle wonders.
Themes
imagination
perception
magic
mindfulness
Mood
wonderful
reflective
mysterious
Type
literary
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- meditation
- nature walks
- artistic inspiration
- dream analysis
Key Concepts
mythology
psychology
spirituality
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your attention shape what you consider real?
- Can you train yourself to notice the subtle?
A Different Perspective
The experience may be dismissed as mere fantasy, limiting its practical value.
![“I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with [my wife] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer. And I was really emotionally - I felt really grounded at that time. And so to be in this prayer and the imam is doing the prayer in…” quote by Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d31/mahershala-ali-6687_attention_i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with_3083.jpg)
