---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I used to think that one day I'd be able…"
description: "\"I used to think that one day I'd be able to resolve the different drives I have in different directions, the tensions between the different people I am..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21b/edward-de-bono-2489_able_i-used-to-think-that-one-day-i-d-be-able_2583127.png"
---

#  I used to think that one day I'd be able to resolve the…

![“I used to think that one day I'd be able to resolve the different drives I have in different directions, the tensions between the different people I am. Now I realize that is who I am. I do feel I'm getting closer to the song in my head. I wasn't looking for grace. But luckily grace was looking…” quote by Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21b/edward-de-bono-2489_able_i-used-to-think-that-one-day-i-d-be-able_2583127.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21b/edward-de-bono-2489_able_i-used-to-think-that-one-day-i-d-be-able_2583127.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21b/edward-de-bono-2489_able_i-used-to-think-that-one-day-i-d-be-able_2583127.png)

> “I used to think that one day I'd be able to resolve the different drives I have in different directions, the tensions between the different people I am. Now I realize that is who I am. I do feel I'm getting closer to the song in my head. I wasn't looking for grace. But luckily grace was looking for me.”

[Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Personal integration of conflicting drives leads to self-acceptance; grace arrives when you stop seeking it.

**In simple terms:** Accepting inner conflicts brings grace.

Key Takeaway

Embrace all parts of yourself to find harmony.

Themes

self acceptance inner conflict

Mood

introspective inspirational

Type

psychological spiritual

When to use this quote

- therapy
- mindfulness
- creative expression
- journaling
- coaching

Key Concepts

identity grace personal growth integration

Questions to Reflect On

- What internal conflicts do you resist?
- How can you welcome grace without expecting it?

A Different Perspective

Self-acceptance can be uncomfortable and require effort.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Different directions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-directions/) [Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grace/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Luck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/luck/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Nature of Beauty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-beauty/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Resolve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resolve/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Tension](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tension/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Who i am](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/who-i-am/)

## Related quotes

> [ Grace is not looking for good men whom it may approve, for it is not grace but mere justice to approve goodness. \[Rather\] it… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-i-scofield/grace-is-not-looking-for-good-men-whom-it-may-approve-for-it-is-not/)

[C. I. Scofield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-i-scofield/)

> [“He was old-fashioned looking, Grace decided. Not just the suit, which made him look as though he should be taking the air in one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarra-manning/he-was-old-fashioned-looking-grace-decided-not-just-the-suit-which/)

[Sarra Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarra-manning/)

> [“#1. Spend more time considering evidences of grace in other Christians than you do pondering their sins and weaknesses. You, as a Christian, probably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-brooks/1-spend-more-time-considering-evidences-of-grace-in-other-christians/)

[Thomas Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-brooks/)

> [“The throw truck driver and car-lot owner stood there, peering at us. Hier voice came through, muffled by the glass. ''You find what you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/the-throw-truck-driver-and-car-lot-owner-stood-there-peering-at-us/)

[maggie stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/)

> [The trick is to begin looking for the grace hidden beneath the struggle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/the-trick-is-to-begin-looking-for-the-grace-hidden-beneath-the/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [There may be circumstances in this life that God uses to keep bringing us back to Him, looking for His grace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-karon/there-may-be-circumstances-in-this-life-that-god-uses-to-keep/)

[Jan Karon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-karon/)

> [“You are the grace of my life So tender, so undeserved Hard to believe you're my wife Even harder to put what I feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-littrell/you-are-the-grace-of-my-life-so-tender-so-undeserved-hard-to-believe/)

[Brian Littrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-littrell/)

> [“Realize that when you feel like giving up, you may just be inches away from the winning line.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amey-hegde/realize-that-when-you-feel-like-giving-up-you-may-just-be-inches-away/)

[Amey Hegde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amey-hegde/)

> [Sometimes, we have to let go of someone we care for very deeply when we realize that person does not care for us in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-we-have-to-let-go-of-someone-we-care-for-very-deeply-when/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Love is who you are. Your true self is pure love, infinite awareness, and unbounded joy...As you realize this, you will feel a small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/love-is-who-you-are-your-true-self-is-pure-love-infinite-awareness/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [“Isn't that the tragedy of growing up though? One day you wake up and realize that everything you are and everything you feel is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadine-rose-larter/isn-t-that-the-tragedy-of-growing-up-though-one-day-you-wake-up-and/)

Nadine Rose Larter

> [Most people don't realize that they feel something is wrong before they think something is wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-winspear/most-people-don-t-realize-that-they-feel-something-is-wrong-before/)

[Jacqueline Winspear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-winspear/)

> [The more I pay attention to what's going on inside, the more I realize that how I feel, and how I react to what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-williams/the-more-i-pay-attention-to-what-s-going-on-inside-the-more-i-realize/)

[Ricky Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-williams/)

> [“We are the worst of ourselves and also the best. They can try and shock it out of us but it doesn't really go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-shepard/we-are-the-worst-of-ourselves-and-also-the-best-they-can-try-and/)

[Sara Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-shepard/)

> [“In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all; and, to the young, it comes with bitterest agony, because it takes them unawares.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/in-this-sad-world-of-ours-sorrow-comes-to-all-and-to-the-young-it-2/)

[Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/)

## More by Edward de Bono

> [We still seek to solve conflicts with 'judgement' instead of designing the way forwards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/we-still-seek-to-solve-conflicts-with-judgement-instead-of-designing/)

[Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/)

> [Traditional thinking is all about "what is" Future thinking will also need to be about what can be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/traditional-thinking-is-all-about-what-is-future-thinking-will-also/)

[Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/)

> [“In 80% of Socrates' dialogues there was no constructive outcome. He saw his role as simply pointing out what was "wrong.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/in-80-of-socrates-dialogues-there-was-no-constructive-outcome-he-saw/)

[Edward De Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/)

> [The music that really turns me on is either running toward God or away from God. Both recognize the pivot, that God is at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/the-music-that-really-turns-me-on-is-either-running-toward-god-or/)

[Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/)

> [People should realize we're jerks just like them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/people-should-realize-we-re-jerks-just-like-them/)

[Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/)

> [The effective thinker treats arrogance as the major sin of thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/the-effective-thinker-treats-arrogance-as-the-major-sin-of-thinking/)

[Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/)

> [To be successful you have to be lucky, or a little mad, or very talented, or find yourself in a rapid growth field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/to-be-successful-you-have-to-be-lucky-or-a-little-mad-or-very/)

[Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/)

> [Argument is meant to reveal the truth, not to create it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/argument-is-meant-to-reveal-the-truth-not-to-create-it/)

[Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/)

> [Complexity creates confusion, simplicity focus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/complexity-creates-confusion-simplicity-focus/)

[Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/)

> [The weapons of the positive revolution are not bullets and bombs but simple human perceptions. Bullets and bombs may offer physical power but eventually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/the-weapons-of-the-positive-revolution-are-not-bullets-and-bombs-but/)

[Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/)

> [“In real-life situations apparently logical lines of argument are often (not always) based on an inability to see alternative possibilities. In a similar way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/in-real-life-situations-apparently-logical-lines-of-argument-are/)

[Edward De Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/)

> [An expert is someone who has succeeded in making decisions and judgements simpler through knowing what to pay attention to and what to ignore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/an-expert-is-someone-who-has-succeeded-in-making-decisions-and/)

[Edward De Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/)

> [It wouldn't cost too much to change the rules of trade so that poor countries can work their way out of poverty. But the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/it-wouldn-t-cost-too-much-to-change-the-rules-of-trade-so-that-poor/)

[Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/)

> [It has always surprised me how little attention philosophers have paid to humor, since it is a more significant process of mind than reason.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/it-has-always-surprised-me-how-little-attention-philosophers-have/)

[Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/)

> [The need to be right all the time is the biggest bar to new ideas. It is better to have enough ideas for some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/the-need-to-be-right-all-the-time-is-the-biggest-bar-to-new-ideas-it/)

[Edward De Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/)

[Explore all 161 Edward de Bono quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/)

## More Able quotes

> [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/)

[Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/)

> [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/)

[Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/)

> [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/)

[Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/)

> [In the '80s, the way radio was programmed, if you didn't have a hit record you weren't going to be able to make any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huey-lewis/in-the-80s-the-way-radio-was-programmed-if-you-didn-t-have-a-hit/)

[Huey Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huey-lewis/)

> [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/)

[Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/)

> [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/)

[Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/)

> [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pee-wee-reese/thinking-about-the-things-that-happened-i-don-t-know-any-other-ball/)

[Pee Wee Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pee-wee-reese/)

> [I wanted to remember in order to be able to return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/i-wanted-to-remember-in-order-to-be-able-to-return/)

[Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/)

> [Government schools, with your tax money, now discourage the teaching of multiplication tables by rote memorization but teach reading by the 'look-and-say' method which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-perry/government-schools-with-your-tax-money-now-discourage-the-teaching-of/)

Greg Perry

> [I don't know if I would qualify as mainstream. I think I have managed to function pretty successfully on the fringes of the music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-metheny/i-don-t-know-if-i-would-qualify-as-mainstream-i-think-i-have-managed/)

[Pat Metheny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-metheny/)

> [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/)

[Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/)

> [The reason that Apple is able to create products like iPad is because we always try to be at the intersection of technology and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jobs/the-reason-that-apple-is-able-to-create-products-like-ipad-is-because/)

[Steve Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jobs/)

> [It was an important period for us, because even though we weren't a "punk band", and what became a model for a punk band,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mallinder/it-was-an-important-period-for-us-because-even-though-we-weren-t-a/)

[Stephen Mallinder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mallinder/)

> [- You look fine. - Right. I look fine. Except I don't, said Zora, tugging sadly at her man's nightshirt. This was why Kiki…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zadie-smith/you-look-fine-right-i-look-fine-except-i-don-t-said-zora-tugging/)

[Zadie Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zadie-smith/)

> [There is a way to be a woman, ask for what we deserve and be able to negotiate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/there-is-a-way-to-be-a-woman-ask-for-what-we-deserve-and-be-able-to/)

[Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/)

Browse all 17,257 Able quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I used to think that one day I'd be able to resolve the different drives I have in different directions, the tensions between the different people I am. Now I realize that is who I am. I do feel I'm getting closer to the song in my head. I wasn't looking for grace. But luckily grace was looking for me.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Edward de Bono"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/i-used-to-think-that-one-day-i-d-be-able-to-resolve-the-different/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Able"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/i-used-to-think-that-one-day-i-d-be-able-to-resolve-the-different/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21b/edward-de-bono-2489_able_i-used-to-think-that-one-day-i-d-be-able_2583127.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21b/edward-de-bono-2489_able_i-used-to-think-that-one-day-i-d-be-able_2583127.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21b/edward-de-bono-2489_able_i-used-to-think-that-one-day-i-d-be-able_2583127.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I used to think that one day I'd be able to resolve the different drives I have in different directions, the…” — Edward de Bono",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Edward de Bono",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I used to think that one...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/i-used-to-think-that-one-day-i-d-be-able-to-resolve-the-different/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/i-used-to-think-that-one-day-i-d-be-able-to-resolve-the-different/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
