--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This situation where we are not quite…" description: "\"“This situation where we are not quite what we do, where we kiss, drink, work, laugh, or meditate only with part of ourselves, is the most normal of si..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa4/dorothee-soelle-19207_quote_this-situation-where-we-are-not-quite-wh_355268.jpg" --- # This situation where we are not quite what we do, where we… ![“This situation where we are not quite what we do, where we kiss, drink, work, laugh, or meditate only with part of ourselves, is the most normal of situations. We are not wholly present in what we experience; we are still watching ourselves, and we do not attain the self-forgetfulness of being…” quote by Dorothee Soelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa4/dorothee-soelle-19207_quote_this-situation-where-we-are-not-quite-wh_355268.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa4/dorothee-soelle-19207_quote_this-situation-where-we-are-not-quite-wh_355268.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa4/dorothee-soelle-19207_quote_this-situation-where-we-are-not-quite-wh_355268.jpg) > ““This situation where we are not quite what we do, where we kiss, drink, work, laugh, or meditate only with part of ourselves, is the most normal of situations. We are not wholly present in what we experience; we are still watching ourselves, and we do not attain the self-forgetfulness of being one. We do not play as a child can play; rather, we observe ourselves.”” [Dorothee Soelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothee-soelle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Humans often engage in life activities without full awareness, observing themselves rather than fully experiencing. **In simple terms:** We rarely live fully in the moment. Key Takeaway Practice mindfulness to be present. Themes mindfulness self‑awareness authenticity psychology Mood contemplative hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - daily routines - work meetings - social gatherings - meditation sessions Key Concepts presence self‑observation inner child play Questions to Reflect On - What moments do you observe yourself? - How can you cultivate child‑like play? A Different Perspective Overcoming habitual self‑monitoring can be challenging. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Situations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/situations/) ## Related quotes > [“In normal situations, feeling annoyed is one's choice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/in-normal-situations-feeling-annoyed-is-one-s-choice/) [Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/) > [I want people to know that I'm a real person, and that I've been through normal situations, like crushes and heartbreaks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-tisdale/i-want-people-to-know-that-i-m-a-real-person-and-that-i-ve-been/) [Ashley Tisdale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-tisdale/) > [Basically, what Economic Hit Men are trained to do is to build up the American empire. 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