Attitude-in-life Quote by Henri J.M. Nouwen
““Are we condemned to be passive victims of our moods? Must we simply say: 'I feel great today' or 'I feel awful today', and require others to live with our moods? Although it is very hard to control our moods, we can gradually overcome them by living a well-disciplined spiritual life. This can prevent us from acting out of our moods. We might not 'feel' like getting up in the morning because we 'feel' that life is not worth living, that nobody loves us, and that our work is boring. But if we get up anyhow, to spend some time reading the Gospels, praying the Psalms, and thanking God for a new day, our moods may lose their power on us.””
About This Quote
Source Book: "The Return of the Prodigal Son", 1992
Discipline and spiritual practice can lessen mood control, allowing purposeful action despite emotional states.
In simple terms: Spiritual discipline reduces mood power over actions.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate daily spiritual habits.
Themes
spirituality
discipline
mental health
resilience
Mood
hopeful
calm
Type
motivational
spiritual
When to use this quote
- morning routine
- reading sacred texts
- prayer
- journaling
Key Concepts
Mindfulness
faith practice
emotional regulation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you integrate discipline when moods are low?
- What spiritual practices help you stay grounded?
A Different Perspective
Mood control also requires external support and therapy.
