Attention Quote by Jennifer Donnelly
“...Listen to your own thoughts and feelings very carefully, be aware of your observations, and learn to value them. When you're a teenager—and even when you're older—lots of people will try to tell you what to think and feel. Try to stand still inside all of that and hear your own voice. It's yours and only yours, it's unique and worth of your attention, and if you cultivate it properly, it might just make you a writer.”
About This Quote
Source Book: A Map of the World by Jennifer Donnelly, 1999
Listening to inner thoughts amid external pressures helps preserve authenticity and can foster creative growth.
In simple terms: Trust your inner voice despite others' opinions.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate self‑awareness for personal and artistic development.
Themes
self‑awareness
authenticity
creativity
adolescence
independence
Mood
reflective
empowering
introspective
Type
advice
motivational
personal development
When to use this quote
- teenage self‑exploration
- writing practice
- mental health
- decision making
- personal growth
Key Concepts
mindfulness
identity formation
creative potential
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you differentiate your own feelings from others' expectations?
- What practices help you stay attuned to your inner voice?
A Different Perspective
External opinions may still influence self‑confidence, requiring ongoing effort to maintain inner focus.
![“I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with [my wife] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer. And I was really emotionally - I felt really grounded at that time. And so to be in this prayer and the imam is doing the prayer in…” quote by Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d31/mahershala-ali-6687_attention_i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with_3083.jpg)
