--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I grew up, I had everything you…" description: "\"When I grew up, I had everything you could ask for, and I kind of didn't appreciate it. Because it was a given for me. Everybody that grew up in my nei..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04d/chris-long-5847_college_when-i-grew-up-i-had-everything-you-coul_223235.jpg" --- # When I grew up, I had everything you could ask for, and I… ![“When I grew up, I had everything you could ask for, and I kind of didn't appreciate it. Because it was a given for me. Everybody that grew up in my neighborhood was going to have an opportunity to go to college. I took that for granted. I always regret that.” quote by Chris Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04d/chris-long-5847_college_when-i-grew-up-i-had-everything-you-coul_223235.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04d/chris-long-5847_college_when-i-grew-up-i-had-everything-you-coul_223235.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04d/chris-long-5847_college_when-i-grew-up-i-had-everything-you-coul_223235.jpg) > “When I grew up, I had everything you could ask for, and I kind of didn't appreciate it. Because it was a given for me. Everybody that grew up in my neighborhood was going to have an opportunity to go to college. I took that for granted. I always regret that.” [Chris Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-long/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reflects on taking privileges for granted and feeling regret for not appreciating them earlier **In simple terms:** Regret for not valuing easy opportunities Key Takeaway Recognize and appreciate your advantages now Themes gratitude privilege reflection Mood thoughtful reflective Type personal inspirational When to use this quote - College planning - career mentoring - community outreach - personal development Key Concepts Sociology psychology social inequality Questions to Reflect On - How can you use your privilege to help others? - What steps can you take to express gratitude daily? A Different Perspective Acknowledging privilege doesn't change systemic barriers ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [College](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/college/) [Opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity/) [Regret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regret/) ## Related quotes > [“But folks took for granted their blessings and often didn’t appreciate them until it was too late to offer thanks.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-aguirre/but-folks-took-for-granted-their-blessings-and-often-didn-t/) [Ann Aguirre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-aguirre/) > [We dont say the things we want to say to the people we love...we take that moment for granted and regret later.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-dont-say-the-things-we-want-to-say-to-the-people-we-love-we-take/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When I was in my freshman year at college I took some acting classes and found that I fell in love with it again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kate-olsen/when-i-was-in-my-freshman-year-at-college-i-took-some-acting-classes/) [Mary-Kate Olsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kate-olsen/) > [I was obsessed with the idea of going to college. And I took many years off after that, so I sort of missed the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaby-hoffmann/i-was-obsessed-with-the-idea-of-going-to-college-and-i-took-many/) [Gaby Hoffmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaby-hoffmann/) > [When I went to college I took a creative writing class and decided in a week to be a writer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-guterson/when-i-went-to-college-i-took-a-creative-writing-class-and-decided-in/) [David Guterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-guterson/) > [In college, I took an acting class as a lark. I was surprised by how much it interested me. It seemed like something I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ebon-moss-bachrach/in-college-i-took-an-acting-class-as-a-lark-i-was-surprised-by-how/) [Ebon Moss-Bachrach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ebon-moss-bachrach/) > [I was an English major in college, took a ton of creative writing courses, and was a newspaper reporter for 10 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-weiner/i-was-an-english-major-in-college-took-a-ton-of-creative-writing/) [Jennifer Weiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-weiner/) > [At this point I was strongly advised that I was too young socially to go to college so I took a second senior year…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-standish-knowles/at-this-point-i-was-strongly-advised-that-i-was-too-young-socially-to/) [William Standish Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-standish-knowles/) > [“After graduating high school and leaving my faith-reinforcing circle of Christian classmates, my religious fervor cooled somewhat, but I was still firm in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-jeskin/after-graduating-high-school-and-leaving-my-faith-reinforcing-circle/) Alan Jeskin > [In high school, I wanted to be an actress. Until I got to college and took some creative writing courses. Then I decided I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-cabot/in-high-school-i-wanted-to-be-an-actress-until-i-got-to-college-and/) [Meg Cabot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-cabot/) > [In college I took an acting class as a joke. It sounded like something fun and easy at the time. I had originally wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-graziadei/in-college-i-took-an-acting-class-as-a-joke-it-sounded-like-something/) [Michael Graziadei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-graziadei/) > [When I finally decided that my only hope was to go to college, I took an acting class, and once I walked onstage, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/when-i-finally-decided-that-my-only-hope-was-to-go-to-college-i-took/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) > [I regret that I did not take care of you, did not spend time with you and took you for granted. I guess it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-regret-that-i-did-not-take-care-of-you-did-not-spend-time-with-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There really is nothing I ever had access to that I didn't appreciate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/there-really-is-nothing-i-ever-had-access-to-that-i-didn-t-appreciate/) [Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) > [I went through some tough times because if you're used to having a voice in contemporary culture and all of sudden, you don't have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-ford/i-went-through-some-tough-times-because-if-you-re-used-to-having-a/) [Tom Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-ford/) ## More by Chris Long > [My mother has been really instrumental in raising a lot of money through the Boys & Girls Club in my hometown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-long/my-mother-has-been-really-instrumental-in-raising-a-lot-of-money/) [Chris Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-long/) > [I'm a big guy and I can't have any tiny tattoos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-long/i-m-a-big-guy-and-i-can-t-have-any-tiny-tattoos/) [Chris Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-long/) > [Before I was a champion, I failed, and I was afraid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-long/before-i-was-a-champion-i-failed-and-i-was-afraid/) [Chris Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-long/) > [I came to Philly not only because of the quality of the team and the organization, but also the fans, the passion - it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-long/i-came-to-philly-not-only-because-of-the-quality-of-the-team-and-the/) [Chris Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-long/) > [I don't think football is enough for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-long/i-don-t-think-football-is-enough-for-me/) [Chris Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-long/) > [My dad was able to give me everything through football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-long/my-dad-was-able-to-give-me-everything-through-football/) [Chris Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-long/) > [I've been through nine camps, and they're all a little bit different, but at the end of the day, it's just football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-long/i-ve-been-through-nine-camps-and-they-re-all-a-little-bit-different/) [Chris Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-long/) > [I've been lucky, man. I've been very lucky for 10 years, made a lot of money playing a game, a kids' game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-long/i-ve-been-lucky-man-i-ve-been-very-lucky-for-10-years-made-a-lot-of/) [Chris Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-long/) > [I love Philadelphia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-long/i-love-philadelphia/) [Chris Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-long/) > [In my career playing football, nobody asked me to do as much as Bill Belichick did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-long/in-my-career-playing-football-nobody-asked-me-to-do-as-much-as-bill/) [Chris Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-long/) > [It's a team game, but at the end of the day, you gotta be happy, and you gotta enjoy playing football every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-long/it-s-a-team-game-but-at-the-end-of-the-day-you-gotta-be-happy-and-you/) [Chris Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-long/) > [I've heard a lot of people say you need white athletes to get involved in the anthem protests. I've said before I'll never kneel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-long/i-ve-heard-a-lot-of-people-say-you-need-white-athletes-to-get/) [Chris Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-long/) > [Educational equity was my way of giving my salary. It's not $10 million or anything. I'm not going to act like I'm the first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-long/educational-equity-was-my-way-of-giving-my-salary-it-s-not-10-million/) [Chris Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-long/) > [This is a wonderful country, and I think everyone agrees on that, but there are things in our country that can improve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-long/this-is-a-wonderful-country-and-i-think-everyone-agrees-on-that-but/) [Chris Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-long/) > [My wife and I have been passionate about education being a gateway for upward mobility and equality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-long/my-wife-and-i-have-been-passionate-about-education-being-a-gateway/) [Chris Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-long/) [Explore all 100 Chris Long quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-long/) ## More College quotes > [I made, like, five movies while I was in college. I think they just weren't memorable movies. I've taken breaks as the years have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodie-foster/i-made-like-five-movies-while-i-was-in-college-i-think-they-just/) [Jodie Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodie-foster/) > [My first ever job after college was as a flight attendant. I wanted to travel and could not afford it, so I decided to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-winspear/my-first-ever-job-after-college-was-as-a-flight-attendant-i-wanted-to/) [Jacqueline Winspear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-winspear/) > [There's no authoritarian structure at Reed College, but the education is conservative. So what you have is a lot of students who are very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-miller/there-s-no-authoritarian-structure-at-reed-college-but-the-education/) [Donald Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-miller/) > [“What's the best thing about being in college? Good teachers. They inspire you, they entertain you, and you end up learning a ton even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/what-s-the-best-thing-about-being-in-college-good-teachers-they/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [Some people, you know, should just go to college and do what they do and have a great job and not worry about trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-legend/some-people-you-know-should-just-go-to-college-and-do-what-they-do/) [John Legend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-legend/) > [Children should finish school and even go to college if they can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fuller/children-should-finish-school-and-even-go-to-college-if-they-can/) [Robert Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fuller/) > [I was totally sober in college and really, really focused. I just took the time when other people might be partying and just made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-flay/i-was-totally-sober-in-college-and-really-really-focused-i-just-took/) [K. Flay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-flay/) > [In college we didn't pass block the way they do in the pros - they played the I-formation at Wisconsin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-webster/in-college-we-didn-t-pass-block-the-way-they-do-in-the-pros-they/) [Mike Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-webster/) > [Plant flowers in others' gardens and your life becomes a bouquet! Submitted by Lisa Letto, Coordinator, Nutrition Resource and Volunteer Centre, College of Pharmacy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/plant-flowers-in-others-gardens-and-your-life-becomes-a-bouquet/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [The number of poor, and poorly prepared, students who succeed in college and beyond undercuts the simplistic notion that economic or educational disadvantage is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-merullo/the-number-of-poor-and-poorly-prepared-students-who-succeed-in/) [Roland Merullo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-merullo/) > [Doing away with separate black colleges meets resistance from alumni and other blacks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/constance-baker-motley/doing-away-with-separate-black-colleges-meets-resistance-from-alumni/) [Constance Baker Motley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/constance-baker-motley/) > [My son going to college is a big milestone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gore/my-son-going-to-college-is-a-big-milestone/) [Frank Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gore/) > [The reason I got into acting was not to explore myself. I was a reader, I didn't care about acting. I got into it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/campbell-scott/the-reason-i-got-into-acting-was-not-to-explore-myself-i-was-a-reader/) [Campbell Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/campbell-scott/) [Browse all 7,391 College quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/college/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I grew up, I had everything you could ask for, and I kind of didn't appreciate it. Because it was a given for me. Everybody that grew up in my neighborhood was going to have an opportunity to go to college. I took that for granted. 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