--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: How many people have I heard claim their…" description: "\"“How many people have I heard claim their children as the greatest accomplishment and comfort of their lives? It's the thing they can always lean on du..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/elizabeth-gilbert-131_children_how-many-people-have-i-heard-claim-their_1803703.jpg" --- # How many people have I heard claim their children as the… ![“How many people have I heard claim their children as the greatest accomplishment and comfort of their lives? It's the thing they can always lean on during a metaphysical crisis, or a moment of doubt about their relevancy - If I have done nothing else in this life, then at least I have raised my…” quote by Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/elizabeth-gilbert-131_children_how-many-people-have-i-heard-claim-their_1803703.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/elizabeth-gilbert-131_children_how-many-people-have-i-heard-claim-their_1803703.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/elizabeth-gilbert-131_children_how-many-people-have-i-heard-claim-their_1803703.jpg) > ““How many people have I heard claim their children as the greatest accomplishment and comfort of their lives? It's the thing they can always lean on during a metaphysical crisis, or a moment of doubt about their relevancy - If I have done nothing else in this life, then at least I have raised my children well. But what if, either by choice or by reluctant necessity, you end up not participating in this comforting cycle of family and continuity? What if you step out? Where do you sit at the reunion? How do you mark time's passage without the fear that you've just fritted away your time on earth without being relevant? You'll need to find another purpose, another measure by which to judge whether or not you have been a successful human being. I love children, but what if I don't have any? What kind of person does that make me? Virginia Woolf wrote, "Across the broad continent of a woman's life falls the shadow of a sword." On one side of that sword, she said, there lies convention and tradition and order, where "all is correct." But on the other side of that sword, if you're crazy enough to cross it and choose a life that does not follow convention, "all is confusion. Nothing follows a regular course." Her argument was that the crossing of the shadow of that sword may bring a far more interesting existence to a woman, but you can bet it will also be more perilous.”” [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage questions societal expectations that define a woman's worth through motherhood and suggests that those without children must find alternative purpose and identity. **In simple terms:** Motherhood isn’t the only measure of a woman’s value; seek other purposes. Key Takeaway Redefine success beyond traditional roles. Themes identity purpose gender roles societal expectations self‑discovery Mood contemplative reflective hopeful Type philosophical inspirational personal essay When to use this quote - career fulfillment - creative projects - community service - spiritual practice - friendship Key Concepts existentialism feminist critique psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do you define personal success without conventional milestones? - What new purpose can you cultivate now? A Different Perspective Alternative paths may lack clear societal validation and can feel isolating. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Choose life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choose-life/) [Eat-pray-love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eat-pray-love/) [Elizabeth-gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elizabeth-gilbert/) [Greatest accomplishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatest-accomplishment/) [Man's Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mans-life/) [Memoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memoir/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Time on earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-on-earth/) [Virginia-woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virginia-woolf-2/) ## Related quotes > [“The child is taught form earliest consciousness that she has these four brothers with her in the world wherever she goes, and that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/the-child-is-taught-form-earliest-consciousness-that-she-has-these/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > [“Is this lifetime supposed to be only about duty?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/is-this-lifetime-supposed-to-be-only-about-duty/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > [“Go back to bed so that, when the tempest comes, you'll be strong enough to deal with it. 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But what if, either by choice or by reluctant necessity, you end up not participating in this comforting cycle of family and continuity? What if you step out? Where do you sit at the reunion? How do you mark time's passage without the fear that you've just fritted away your time on earth without being relevant? You'll need to find another purpose, another measure by which to judge whether or not you have been a successful human being. I love children, but what if I don't have any? What kind of person does that make me? Virginia Woolf wrote, \"Across the broad continent of a woman's life falls the shadow of a sword.\" On one side of that sword, she said, there lies convention and tradition and order, where \"all is correct.\" But on the other side of that sword, if you're crazy enough to cross it and choose a life that does not follow convention, \"all is confusion. 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