--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I wondered why I was so startled by the…" description: "\"I wondered why I was so startled by the encounter when there was something that seemed utterly inevitable about the moment. Not in any grand, destined ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ef/emily-giffin-938_business_i-wondered-why-i-was-so-startled-by-the_2568328.jpg" --- # I wondered why I was so startled by the encounter when… ![“I wondered why I was so startled by the encounter when there was something that seemed utterly inevitable about the moment. Not in any grand, destined sense; just in the quiet, stubborn way that unfinished business has of imposing its will on the unwilling.” quote by Emily Giffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ef/emily-giffin-938_business_i-wondered-why-i-was-so-startled-by-the_2568328.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ef/emily-giffin-938_business_i-wondered-why-i-was-so-startled-by-the_2568328.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ef/emily-giffin-938_business_i-wondered-why-i-was-so-startled-by-the_2568328.jpg) > “I wondered why I was so startled by the encounter when there was something that seemed utterly inevitable about the moment. Not in any grand, destined sense; just in the quiet, stubborn way that unfinished business has of imposing its will on the unwilling.” [Emily Giffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-giffin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Unexpected moments can feel inevitable, driven by unresolved issues that compel us despite lack of destiny. **In simple terms:** Unfinished business creates a sense of inevitability. Key Takeaway Acknowledge and resolve lingering matters. Themes inevitability unfinished business psychology Mood reflective introspective Type psychological literary When to use this quote - personal relationships - career decisions - creative projects Key Concepts destiny psychological tension Questions to Reflect On - What unfinished business is influencing you? - How can you break the feeling of inevitability? A Different Perspective Inevitability may be illusion; we can change outcomes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Encounter Utterly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/encounter-utterly-1667444/) [Encounters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/encounters/) [Inevitable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inevitable/) [Inevitable Moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inevitable-moment-1667443/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Quiet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quiet/) [Startled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/startled/) [Startled Encounter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/startled-encounter-1667441/) [Stubborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stubborn/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Unfinished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unfinished/) [Unfinished business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unfinished-business/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Wondered Startled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wondered-startled-1667442/) ## Related quotes > [What a wonderfully exciting cough,' said the little man, quite startled by it, 'do you mind if I join you?' 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