--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Most people use their energy attempting…" description: "\"Most people use their energy attempting to rearrange circumstances that trigger painful emotions. Changing external circumstances will not change your ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de2/gary-zukav-714_attempting_most-people-use-their-energy-attempting_2632025.png" --- # Most people use their energy attempting to rearrange… ![“Most people use their energy attempting to rearrange circumstances that trigger painful emotions. Changing external circumstances will not change your rigid patterns of emotional response. That requires looking at the patterns themselves.” quote by Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de2/gary-zukav-714_attempting_most-people-use-their-energy-attempting_2632025.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de2/gary-zukav-714_attempting_most-people-use-their-energy-attempting_2632025.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de2/gary-zukav-714_attempting_most-people-use-their-energy-attempting_2632025.png) > “Most people use their energy attempting to rearrange circumstances that trigger painful emotions. Changing external circumstances will not change your rigid patterns of emotional response. That requires looking at the patterns themselves.” [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. External changes don’t alter inner emotional patterns; true change comes from examining and reshaping those patterns. **In simple terms:** Changing surroundings won’t fix feelings; look inside. Key Takeaway Inspect and rewire your emotional responses. Themes self-awareness emotional intelligence personal growth Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - therapy - mindfulness practice - relationship counseling - stress management Key Concepts psychology habit formation Questions to Reflect On - What internal patterns repeat your pain? - How can you observe them without judgment? A Different Perspective Changing external factors alone can’t resolve deep‑seated emotional habits. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Emotion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotion/) [Emotional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotional/) [Emotional response](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotional-response/) [Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy/) [Patterns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patterns/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Triggers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/triggers/) ## Related quotes > [Remember always that we are pattern-seeking primates who are especially adept at finding patterns with emotional meaning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-shermer/remember-always-that-we-are-pattern-seeking-primates-who-are/) [Michael Shermer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-shermer/) > [Painful emotions show you what prevents you from creating harmony, cooperation, sharing and reverence for life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/painful-emotions-show-you-what-prevents-you-from-creating-harmony/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [Part of God's work in his people is synchronizing the heart and the mind thus providing freedom from the deceit of emotion-based beliefs. Emotions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/part-of-god-s-work-in-his-people-is-synchronizing-the-heart-and-the/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [“Life is a myriad of emotions ever changing like seasons in the wind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-parker/life-is-a-myriad-of-emotions-ever-changing-like-seasons-in-the-wind/) [Sheila Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-parker/) > [Our emotions are ever-changing and infinitely varied, but the words with which we describe them are fixed and rigid. Our life is like quicksilver,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-huxley/our-emotions-are-ever-changing-and-infinitely-varied-but-the-words/) [Laura Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-huxley/) > [We live under threat from painful emotions: anger, desire, pride, jealousy and so on. Therefore we should always be ready to counter these with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dilgo-khyentse-rinpoche/we-live-under-threat-from-painful-emotions-anger-desire-pride/) [Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dilgo-khyentse-rinpoche/) > [Human beings sometimes find a kind of pleasure in nursing painful emotions, in blaming themselves without reason or even against reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/human-beings-sometimes-find-a-kind-of-pleasure-in-nursing-painful/) [Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/) > [No book or expert can protect us from the range of painful emotions that make us human.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-lerner/no-book-or-expert-can-protect-us-from-the-range-of-painful-emotions/) [Harriet Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-lerner/) > [“Self-compassion helps you recognize and soothe painful emotions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carmel-sheridan/self-compassion-helps-you-recognize-and-soothe-painful-emotions/) [Carmel Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carmel-sheridan/) > [“Hope also walks hand in hand with fear, one of the most universal and most painful emotions. When fear is working for us, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-j-lopez/hope-also-walks-hand-in-hand-with-fear-one-of-the-most-universal-and/) Shane J. Lopez > [“Darkness, grievances and all painful emotions are the realm of the unknown. They are not horrible issues to hide or something wrong that needs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franco-santoro/darkness-grievances-and-all-painful-emotions-are-the-realm-of-the/) [Franco Santoro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franco-santoro/) > [“A lot of things are inherent in life -change, birth, death, aging, illness, accidents, calamities, and losses of all kinds- but these events don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-lake/a-lot-of-things-are-inherent-in-life-change-birth-death-aging-illness/) [Gina Lake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-lake/) > [“the best way to deal with difficult and painful emotions is to stop trying to fix them and just let myself feel them. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-christina/the-best-way-to-deal-with-difficult-and-painful-emotions-is-to-stop/) [Greta Christina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-christina/) > [“The most painful emotions are better than none at all. Ironically, we make you human.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelsey-sutton/the-most-painful-emotions-are-better-than-none-at-all-ironically-we/) [Kelsey Sutton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelsey-sutton/) > [Parents are teachers as much as caregivers, and our children learn to navigate life's challenges by watching us. Kids can get a road map…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-simmons/parents-are-teachers-as-much-as-caregivers-and-our-children-learn-to/) [Rachel Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-simmons/) ## More by Gary Zukav > [If you are not conscious of all of the different parts of yourself, the part of yourself that is the strongest will win out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/if-you-are-not-conscious-of-all-of-the-different-parts-of-yourself/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [When fear ceases to scare you, it cannot stay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/when-fear-ceases-to-scare-you-it-cannot-stay/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [Emotions are classes in the Earth school. Some classes are about fear, and some are about love. The Universe is your tutor, and your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/emotions-are-classes-in-the-earth-school-some-classes-are-about-fear/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [Reverence is an attitude of honoring life. Reverence automatically brings forth patience. Reverence permits non-judgemental justice. Reverence is a perception of the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/reverence-is-an-attitude-of-honoring-life-reverence-automatically/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [Being harmless means being so strong, so empowered, that the idea of showing power through harm is not even a part of your consciousness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/being-harmless-means-being-so-strong-so-empowered-that-the-idea-of/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [I see the potential for a new world being born in front of me and all around me, and I feel the only way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/i-see-the-potential-for-a-new-world-being-born-in-front-of-me-and-all/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [The challenge to each human is creation. Will you create with reverence, or with neglect?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/the-challenge-to-each-human-is-creation-will-you-create-with/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [The coming and going of the seasons give us more than the springtimes, summers, autumns, and winters of our lives. It reflects the coming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/the-coming-and-going-of-the-seasons-give-us-more-than-the-springtimes/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [Spiritual partnership is the partnership between equals for the purpose of spiritual growth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/spiritual-partnership-is-the-partnership-between-equals-for-the/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [The requirements for our evolution have changed. Survival is no longer sufficient. Our evolution now requires us to develop spiritually-to become emotionally aware and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/the-requirements-for-our-evolution-have-changed-survival-is-no-longer/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [Please... tell me who you are and what you want. And if you think those are simple questions, keep in mind that most people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/please-tell-me-who-you-are-and-what-you-want-and-if-you-think-those/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [The number of teachers and guides that a soul has depends upon what it seeks to accomplish and its level of awareness. Souls that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/the-number-of-teachers-and-guides-that-a-soul-has-depends-upon-what/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [“Pot do duše je skozi srce.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/pot-do-du-e-je-skozi-srce/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [Its not possible to do the wrong thing. You do what you do and you experience the consequences of what you do. If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/its-not-possible-to-do-the-wrong-thing-you-do-what-you-do-and-you/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [Perfectionism is a perpetual flight into an illusory future that cannot be attained.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/perfectionism-is-a-perpetual-flight-into-an-illusory-future-that/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) [Explore all 365 Gary Zukav quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) ## More Attempting quotes > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [In terms of style, too, I think I've been working with a somewhat limited -- although intentionally limited -- set of tools. So I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-link/in-terms-of-style-too-i-think-i-ve-been-working-with-a-somewhat/) [Kelly Link](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-link/) > [Lobbying' is the activity of attempting to influence legislation by privately influencing the legislators. It is the result and creation of a mixed economy-of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/lobbying-is-the-activity-of-attempting-to-influence-legislation-by/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [To attempt to be religious without practicing a specific religion is as possible as attempting to speak without a specific language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-santayana/to-attempt-to-be-religious-without-practicing-a-specific-religion-is/) [George Santayana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-santayana/) > [Ewan McGregor stars as Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi, again doing a fine Alec Guinness impersonation but otherwise seeming lost and alone in the galaxy as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-zacharek/ewan-mcgregor-stars-as-jedi-obi-wan-kenobi-again-doing-a-fine-alec/) [Stephanie Zacharek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-zacharek/) > [Daphne," he said with controlled gentleness, "what is wrong?" She sat down opposite him and placed a hand on his cheek. "I'm so insensitive,"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-quinn/daphne-he-said-with-controlled-gentleness-what-is-wrong-she-sat-down/) [Julia Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-quinn/) > [I'm a dreamer and continue to dream of what can and will be, "Expecting great things from God, Attempting great things for God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-carey/i-m-a-dreamer-and-continue-to-dream-of-what-can-and-will-be-expecting/) [William Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-carey/) > [I swear you’re a woman. (Devyn) I would respond to that, but I don’t want to distract you while you’re attempting to drive and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/i-swear-you-re-a-woman-devyn-i-would-respond-to-that-but-i-don-t-want/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [To approach a city, or even a city neighborhood, as if it were a larger architectural problem, capable of being given order by converting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-jacobs/to-approach-a-city-or-even-a-city-neighborhood-as-if-it-were-a-larger/) [Jane Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-jacobs/) > [I have told you of the Spaniard who always put on his spectacles when about to eat cherries, that they might look bigger and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-southey/i-have-told-you-of-the-spaniard-who-always-put-on-his-spectacles-when/) [Robert Southey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-southey/) > [The danger to which the success of revolutions is most exposed, is that of attempting them before the principles on which they proceed, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/the-danger-to-which-the-success-of-revolutions-is-most-exposed-is/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Politics resemble religion; attempting to divest either of ceremony is the most certain mode of bringing either into contempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/politics-resemble-religion-attempting-to-divest-either-of-ceremony-is/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [“failure is not an outcome, but involves a lack of trying—not stretching yourself far enough out of your comfort zone and attempting to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-wiseman/failure-is-not-an-outcome-but-involves-a-lack-of-trying-not/) [Liz Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-wiseman/) > [It is strange to reflect how much energy is thrown away in attempting to know the unknowable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-barber-lightfoot/it-is-strange-to-reflect-how-much-energy-is-thrown-away-in-attempting/) [Joseph Barber Lightfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-barber-lightfoot/) > [I am not attempting to preserve culture, or record actual events or stories. Instead I bow my head in gratitude to those storytellers who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-briggs/i-am-not-attempting-to-preserve-culture-or-record-actual-events-or/) [Patricia Briggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-briggs/) Browse all 513 Attempting quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Most people use their energy attempting to rearrange circumstances that trigger painful emotions. Changing external circumstances will not change your rigid patterns of emotional response. 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