Ability Quote by Diane Ackerman
“Despite not knowing if what he felt from moment to moment would pass or last forever, he entered fully into his shifting states of violent rage, self-pity, longing, heartbreak, cynicism, without losing the ability to think about what was happening to him. That took courage, I thought, living with the suffering in a mindful way, as an artifact of being, neither good nor bad.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Art of Living, 2005
The passage describes embracing intense, fluctuating emotions with mindfulness, recognizing them as neither good nor bad, which requires courage.
In simple terms: Accept feelings without judgment.
Practice mindful acceptance of emotional swings.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- creative writing
- personal growth workshops
- stress management
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What strategies help stay present in turmoil?
- Can labeling emotions reduce their impact?
It may be difficult to maintain nonjudgmental stance during extreme distress.