--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Given that you desire to change things in…" description: "\"“Given that you desire to change things in your life much bigger than particles, how long do you maintain your observation and how much mental power do..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/005/ilchi-lee-1445_change-things_given-that-you-desire-to-change-things-i_3042077.png" --- # Given that you desire to change things in your life much… ![“Given that you desire to change things in your life much bigger than particles, how long do you maintain your observation and how much mental power do you invest in observing those things?” quote by Ilchi Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/005/ilchi-lee-1445_change-things_given-that-you-desire-to-change-things-i_3042077.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/005/ilchi-lee-1445_change-things_given-that-you-desire-to-change-things-i_3042077.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/005/ilchi-lee-1445_change-things_given-that-you-desire-to-change-things-i_3042077.png) > ““Given that you desire to change things in your life much bigger than particles, how long do you maintain your observation and how much mental power do you invest in observing those things?”” [Ilchi Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilchi-lee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. To change life, one must maintain long‑term observation and invest mental energy, emphasizing sustained focus over fleeting effort. **In simple terms:** Sustained observation and mental effort drive change. Key Takeaway Commit to persistent observation. Themes self‑improvement observation mental discipline change Mood inspirational serious Type self‑help philosophical When to use this quote - personal development - coaching - strategic planning Key Concepts mindfulness goal setting Questions to Reflect On - How long will you observe before acting? - What mental tools support sustained focus? A Different Perspective Observation alone may not produce action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-things/) [Desire to change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire-to-change/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Maintain Observation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maintain-observation-5020099/) [Mental power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mental-power/) [Observation Mental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/observation-mental-5020098/) [Observing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/observing/) [Observing Things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/observing-things-1246793/) [Self development](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-development/) ## Related quotes > [I love the line of Flaubert about observing things very intensely. I think our duty as writers begins not with our own feelings, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/i-love-the-line-of-flaubert-about-observing-things-very-intensely-i/) [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) > [I've always found that I personally love to observe things, and I'm good at observing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-johnson/i-ve-always-found-that-i-personally-love-to-observe-things-and-i-m/) [Jamie Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-johnson/) > [We have forgotten to observe. Instead of observing, we do things according to patterns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrei-tarkovsky/we-have-forgotten-to-observe-instead-of-observing-we-do-things/) [Andrei Tarkovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrei-tarkovsky/) > [I have always thought that by observing things with a great deal of attention you eventually wrest some of their secrets from them, making…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julien-green/i-have-always-thought-that-by-observing-things-with-a-great-deal-of/) [Julien Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julien-green/) > [“Observing is not just seeing. It is watching with attention.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilchi-lee/observing-is-not-just-seeing-it-is-watching-with-attention/) [Ilchi Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilchi-lee/) > [“The miracle of the Atonement is not just that we can go home but that—miraculously—we can feel at home there. If Christ did not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-wilcox/the-miracle-of-the-atonement-is-not-just-that-we-can-go-home-but-that/) [Brad Wilcox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-wilcox/) > [“This life is a hospital in which each patient is possessed by the desire to change beds. One wants to suffer in front of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-baudelaire/this-life-is-a-hospital-in-which-each-patient-is-possessed-by-the/) [Charles Baudelaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-baudelaire/) > [This is part of human nature, the desire to change consciousness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pollan/this-is-part-of-human-nature-the-desire-to-change-consciousness/) [Michael Pollan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pollan/) > [“People must understand the need for change and desire to change before they can change. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-a-weidman/people-must-understand-the-need-for-change-and-desire-to-change/) [H.A. Weidman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-a-weidman/) > [“From another corner of neuroscience, we’re learning about a neurotransmitter called dopamine. Though there are more than fifty neurotransmitters (that we know of), scientists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-foote/from-another-corner-of-neuroscience-we-re-learning-about-a/) [Jeffrey Foote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-foote/) > [“On our particular mission, senior marines met with local school officials while the rest of us provided security or hung out with the schoolkids,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-vance/on-our-particular-mission-senior-marines-met-with-local-school/) [J.D. Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-vance/) > [“Life is a hospital, in which every patient is possessed by the desire to change his bed. This one would prefer to suffer in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-baudelaire/life-is-a-hospital-in-which-every-patient-is-possessed-by-the-desire/) [Charles Baudelaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-baudelaire/) > [If you get into entrepreneurshi p driven by profit, you are a lot more likely to fail. The entrepreneurs who succeed usually want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/if-you-get-into-entrepreneurshi-p-driven-by-profit-you-are-a-lot-more/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [Every forward step achieved by man has been due to the adventurous attitude. This attitude inspires dissatisfaction with the world as it is; it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilferd-peterson/every-forward-step-achieved-by-man-has-been-due-to-the-adventurous/) [Wilferd Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilferd-peterson/) > [God desires to change us from the inside out. Renewing our minds, starving our self-destructive tendencies, and teaching us to form new habits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/god-desires-to-change-us-from-the-inside-out-renewing-our-minds/) [Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/) ## More by Ilchi Lee > [“Observing is not just seeing. It is watching with attention.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilchi-lee/observing-is-not-just-seeing-it-is-watching-with-attention/) [Ilchi Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilchi-lee/) > [“Place your concentration in the center of your palm. Concentrate on making that part of your palm warmer than the rest of your hand.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilchi-lee/place-your-concentration-in-the-center-of-your-palm-concentrate-on/) [Ilchi Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilchi-lee/) > [“Awareness, when managed and directed, becomes attention. By turning into attention, awareness becomes localized, and attains a focal point. Because of this feature, attention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilchi-lee/awareness-when-managed-and-directed-becomes-attention-by-turning-into/) [Ilchi Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilchi-lee/) > [“Our true reality is not a limited phenomenon, existing only between birth and death. It is eternal life that exists alone, self-existent and self-sufficient,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilchi-lee/our-true-reality-is-not-a-limited-phenomenon-existing-only-between/) [Ilchi Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilchi-lee/) > [“As a phenomenon, life has a beginning and ending, but life itself doesn’t. So, which one is truly me - a phenomenon that lasts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilchi-lee/as-a-phenomenon-life-has-a-beginning-and-ending-but-life-itself-doesn/) [Ilchi Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilchi-lee/) > [“Change is the very nature of Nature. if there's one thing that doesn't change, it is the fact that everything changes. In the Korean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilchi-lee/change-is-the-very-nature-of-nature-if-there-s-one-thing-that-doesn-t/) [Ilchi Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilchi-lee/) > [“The value of a human being depends on the quality of information held in his or her brain. Depending on whether that information is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilchi-lee/the-value-of-a-human-being-depends-on-the-quality-of-information-held/) [Ilchi Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilchi-lee/) > [“Whatever path brought you here There is a reason why you came, Through you may not know it now.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilchi-lee/whatever-path-brought-you-here-there-is-a-reason-why-you-came-through/) [Ilchi Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilchi-lee/) > [“Everyday, Jay would sit under a giant elm tree and imagine the adventures his life might bring.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilchi-lee/everyday-jay-would-sit-under-a-giant-elm-tree-and-imagine-the/) [Ilchi Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilchi-lee/) > [“It is important to realize that you are fundamentally made up of Life Particles, as is everyone else. Please realize that you, like everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilchi-lee/it-is-important-to-realize-that-you-are-fundamentally-made-up-of-life/) [Ilchi Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilchi-lee/) > [“My beloved Jay, remember me. Call my name every day. If you think of me and are with me, The infinite power of your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilchi-lee/my-beloved-jay-remember-me-call-my-name-every-day-if-you-think-of-me/) [Ilchi Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilchi-lee/) > [“Do you have a dream? If you do, what is it? Is your dream similar to mine? I hope that even more people dream…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilchi-lee/do-you-have-a-dream-if-you-do-what-is-it-is-your-dream-similar-to/) [Ilchi Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilchi-lee/) > [“It's only natural to experience times that are difficult and painful, no matter who you are. those are times when anyone would feel tempted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilchi-lee/it-s-only-natural-to-experience-times-that-are-difficult-and-painful/) [Ilchi Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilchi-lee/) > [Now is a time for change, a time to become the greatest version of yourself. And a time to to make your grandest vision…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilchi-lee/now-is-a-time-for-change-a-time-to-become-the-greatest-version-of/) [Ilchi Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilchi-lee/) > [“How do we meditate? It is not thinking about the past or future. It starts with being present.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilchi-lee/how-do-we-meditate-it-is-not-thinking-about-the-past-or-future-it/) [Ilchi Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilchi-lee/) [Explore all 240 Ilchi Lee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilchi-lee/) ## More Change things quotes > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) [Phil Hogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-hogan/) > [“I’m not saying Jesus won’t come back; I’ve just decided I can’t keep hoping to be rescued from my life. Maybe it’s up to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-hartzler/i-m-not-saying-jesus-won-t-come-back-i-ve-just-decided-i-can-t-keep/) [Aaron Hartzler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-hartzler/) > [What really distinguishes this generation in all countries from earlier generations ... is its determination to act, its joy in action, the assurance of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-arendt/what-really-distinguishes-this-generation-in-all-countries-from/) [Hannah Arendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-arendt/) > [“why would white dudes want to change things when they held all the cards?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wally-lamb/why-would-white-dudes-want-to-change-things-when-they-held-all-the/) [Wally Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wally-lamb/) > [“Gandhi is best remembered for his adherence to the principle of nonviolence; but no less important was his adherence to non-demonization. Even when he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-truett-anderson/gandhi-is-best-remembered-for-his-adherence-to-the-principle-of/) [Walter Truett Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-truett-anderson/) > [Simply having rules does not change the things that people want to do. You have to change incentives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-wales/simply-having-rules-does-not-change-the-things-that-people-want-to-do/) [Jimmy Wales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-wales/) > [I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I believe that prayer changes us and we change things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-used-to-believe-that-prayer-changes-things-but-now-i-believe-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You cannot change the things, so you don't need to stress if you're going to change them. So why complain? It looks so simple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrey-rublev/you-cannot-change-the-things-so-you-don-t-need-to-stress-if-you-re/) [Andrey Rublev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrey-rublev/) > [I'm always trying to change things - change my character, change my look, change my hair, change my facial hair, change my costumes, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-jericho/i-m-always-trying-to-change-things-change-my-character-change-my-look/) [Chris Jericho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-jericho/) > [When something doesn't go your way, never lose hope in Allah. That faith could be just enough for Him to change things around for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-something-doesn-t-go-your-way-never-lose-hope-in-allah-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you're a black superhero, you can't erase the notion that you're black. If you're black, living in the community, and you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheo-hodari-coker/when-you-re-a-black-superhero-you-can-t-erase-the-notion-that-you-re/) [Cheo Hodari Coker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheo-hodari-coker/) > [It's crazy how much time can change things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alaska/it-s-crazy-how-much-time-can-change-things/) [Alaska](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alaska/) > [The point of the essay is to change things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/the-point-of-the-essay-is-to-change-things/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) > [“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them. Try to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/you-may-not-control-all-the-events-that-happen-to-you-but-you-can/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) [Browse all 661 Change things quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-things/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Given that you desire to change things in your life much bigger than particles, how long do you maintain your observation and how much mental power do you invest in observing those things?”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ilchi Lee" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilchi-lee/given-that-you-desire-to-change-things-in-your-life-much-bigger-than/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Change things" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilchi-lee/given-that-you-desire-to-change-things-in-your-life-much-bigger-than/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/005/ilchi-lee-1445_change-things_given-that-you-desire-to-change-things-i_3042077.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/005/ilchi-lee-1445_change-things_given-that-you-desire-to-change-things-i_3042077.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/005/ilchi-lee-1445_change-things_given-that-you-desire-to-change-things-i_3042077.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Given that you desire to change things in your life much bigger than particles, how long do you maintain…” — Ilchi Lee", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ilchi Lee", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilchi-lee/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Given that you desire to change...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilchi-lee/given-that-you-desire-to-change-things-in-your-life-much-bigger-than/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilchi-lee/given-that-you-desire-to-change-things-in-your-life-much-bigger-than/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```