Attention Quote by Jenny Holzer
“The desperate things seem to require attention, the lovely things seem to elicit celebration. If I had to choose, I would go to the awful in the hope that doing something could yield a happier result.”
About This Quote
Source Art Installation: Public Space, 2018
Highlighting the allure of negative experiences over positive ones.
In simple terms: Choosing the awful for potential happiness.
Key Takeaway
Embrace discomfort to discover hidden growth.
Themes
discomfort
choice
growth
Mood
provocative
introspective
Type
artistic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal development
- creative problem solving
- mental health coping
Key Concepts
psychology of attention
value of negativity
Questions to Reflect On
- Why are we drawn to the awful?
- How can we channel this drive constructively?
A Different Perspective
Focusing on negativity can exacerbate distress.
![“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)
