Ageing Quote by Dani Shapiro
““This is in the natural order of things--the time of life we've now entered. The afternoon , as Jung called it. Thoroughly unprepared we take the step into the afternoon of life. Are we unprepared simply because preparation is not possible? ... We learn--if we are lucky we learn--as we go. ... we are in the center of the stream. Much has already happened, and has formed the shape of our lives as surely as water shapes rock. Much lies ahead of us. We can't see what's coming. We can't know it. All we have is our hope that all will be well, and our knowledge that it won't always be so. We live in the space between this hope and this knowledge. ... Life keeps coming at us. Fleeing it is pointless, as is fighting. What I have begun to learn is that there is value in simply standing there-- this too --whether the sun is shining, or the wind whipping all around. [pp.239-240]””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Unwritten Life, pp.239‑240, 2015
Life is an unpredictable flow where hope and knowledge coexist; embracing the present, regardless of circumstance, holds value.
In simple terms: We live between hope and knowledge, and must accept the present.
Key Takeaway
Embrace each moment without fear.
Themes
existence
uncertainty
acceptance
Mood
contemplative
calm
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- daily mindfulness
- stress coping
- career planning
- relationship building
Key Concepts
philosophy of life
psychology of hope
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance hope with realistic expectations?
- What practices help you stay present?
A Different Perspective
Hope may be fragile and knowledge can cause anxiety.
