Blades Quote by Gayle Forman
“When I was little, I used to go to the local ice-skating rink. In my mind, I always felt like I could twirl and jump, but when I got out onto the ice, I could barely keep my blades straight. When I got older, that's how it was with people: In my mind, I am bold and forthright, but what comes out always seems to be so meek and polite. Even with Evan, my boyfriend for junior and most of senior year, I never quite managed to be that skating, twirling, leaping person I suspected I could be. But today, apparently, I can skate.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan, 2010
The narrator compares confidence on ice to confidence in life, noting a gap between imagined boldness and actual meekness, yet hints at growth.
In simple terms: Mind vs. action gap.
Key Takeaway
Practice to align thoughts and actions.
Themes
self‑esteem
growth
confidence
authenticity
Mood
determined
introspective
Type
motivational
reflective
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- new relationships
- skill learning
- personal challenges
Key Concepts
cognitive dissonance
personal development
social interaction
Questions to Reflect On
- What steps can you take to bridge your inner confidence with outward behavior?
- How does practice reshape self‑perception?
A Different Perspective
Changing behavior takes time and effort.
![“[on going to Sunday school:] It looks like rain, and I hope it will rain cats and dogs and hammers and pitchforks and silver sugar spoons and hay ricks and paper-covered novels and picture frames and rag carpets and toothpicks and skating rinks and birds of paradise and roof gardens and burdocks…” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6b6/anonymous-1_bird_on-going-to-sunday-school-it-looks-like_1362138.jpg)
