--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I knew that meant we were done and that…" description: "\"“I knew that meant we were done and that we'd smooth over the surface I'd just tossed a rock into, but even the waves that crash down on the beach star..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/336/jessi-kirby-10504_communication_i-knew-that-meant-we-were-done-and-that_2579140.jpg" --- # I knew that meant we were done and that we'd smooth over… ![“I knew that meant we were done and that we'd smooth over the surface I'd just tossed a rock into, but even the waves that crash down on the beach start out as tiny ripples, far out at sea. They just gain strength over time.” quote by Jessi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/336/jessi-kirby-10504_communication_i-knew-that-meant-we-were-done-and-that_2579140.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/336/jessi-kirby-10504_communication_i-knew-that-meant-we-were-done-and-that_2579140.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/336/jessi-kirby-10504_communication_i-knew-that-meant-we-were-done-and-that_2579140.jpg) > ““I knew that meant we were done and that we'd smooth over the surface I'd just tossed a rock into, but even the waves that crash down on the beach start out as tiny ripples, far out at sea. They just gain strength over time.”” [Jessi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessi-kirby/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Small disturbances grow into larger forces over time, illustrating how minor actions can lead to significant change. **In simple terms:** Tiny ripples become big waves. Key Takeaway Recognize the power of small beginnings. Themes growth change patience Mood inspirational hopeful Type motivational reflective When to use this quote - personal goals - environmental activism - social movements - career development Key Concepts cumulative effect momentum Questions to Reflect On - What small action can you start today? - How do you sustain momentum? A Different Perspective Not all small actions lead to big outcomes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Issues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/issues/) [Meant Smooth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meant-smooth-1762791/) [Moonglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moonglass-124940/) [Ripples](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ripples/) [Ripples Far](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ripples-far-1762792/) [River](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/river/) [Rock Waves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rock-waves-773540/) [Symbolism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/symbolism/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Waves Crash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waves-crash-1762790/) ## Related quotes > [“In the same way a pebble dropped on a quiet pond sends ripples far out from itself,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-brill/in-the-same-way-a-pebble-dropped-on-a-quiet-pond-sends-ripples-far/) [Leigh Brill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-brill/) > [“Kindness and connection, even with the natural world, create ripples that go far beyond ourselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-breniman/kindness-and-connection-even-with-the-natural-world-create-ripples/) [Ken Breniman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-breniman/) > [“I read once that water is a symbol for emotions. And for a while now I've thought maybe my mother drowned in both.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessi-kirby/i-read-once-that-water-is-a-symbol-for-emotions-and-for-a-while-now-i/) [Jessi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessi-kirby/) > [“I had a feeling she probably made friends with people pretty easily, and that could be a good thing for me too, since I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessi-kirby/i-had-a-feeling-she-probably-made-friends-with-people-pretty-easily/) [Jessi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessi-kirby/) > [Let the world be as it is and learn to rock with the waves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/let-the-world-be-as-it-is-and-learn-to-rock-with-the-waves/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [Glorious is the tumult of the waves that crash against a vessel, preparing it for the seas of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/glorious-is-the-tumult-of-the-waves-that-crash-against-a-vessel/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The ocean is far below us, but the waves crash so loudly, sound close enough to drown us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-lacour/the-ocean-is-far-below-us-but-the-waves-crash-so-loudly-sound-close/) [Nina LaCour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-lacour/) > [“We're in this together, until the ocean waves crash on our feet." "You really paint this Guatala as a paradise." "If you're there with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karina-halle/we-re-in-this-together-until-the-ocean-waves-crash-on-our-feet-you/) [Karina Halle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karina-halle/) > [Remember, this thing is small. It's not like the wolfships. It'll ride over the waves, not crash through them. So we're safe as houses."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/remember-this-thing-is-small-it-s-not-like-the-wolfships-it-ll-ride/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [Let your waves crash down on me and take me away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yellowcard/let-your-waves-crash-down-on-me-and-take-me-away/) [Yellowcard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yellowcard/) > [The storms come and go, the waves crash overhead, the big fish eat the little fish, and I keep on paddling. (Varys)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-storms-come-and-go-the-waves-crash-overhead-the-big-fish-eat-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I am mountains that crush. I am waves that crash. I am storms that shatter. I am the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-sanderson/i-am-mountains-that-crush-i-am-waves-that-crash-i-am-storms-that/) [Brandon Sanderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-sanderson/) > [Success is more dangerous than failure, the ripples break over a wider coastline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-greene/success-is-more-dangerous-than-failure-the-ripples-break-over-a-wider/) [Graham Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-greene/) > [Certain people have said that the world is like a calm pond, and that anytime a person does even the smallest thing, it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/certain-people-have-said-that-the-world-is-like-a-calm-pond-and-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Sometimes... the smallest drops in the bucket make the biggest ripples.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-m-hodgson/sometimes-the-smallest-drops-in-the-bucket-make-the-biggest-ripples/) [A.M. Hodgson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-m-hodgson/) ## More by Jessi Kirby > [“I can't promise the universe is gonna tell you what to do with your life up there. But if you can keep quiet and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessi-kirby/i-can-t-promise-the-universe-is-gonna-tell-you-what-to-do-with-your/) [Jessi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessi-kirby/) > [That’s what seems the most sad to me—that neither of them even think there’s a possibility they can be together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessi-kirby/that-s-what-seems-the-most-sad-to-me-that-neither-of-them-even-think/) [Jessi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessi-kirby/) > [“Little things become big things when your body has been broken.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessi-kirby/little-things-become-big-things-when-your-body-has-been-broken/) [Jessi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessi-kirby/) > [“Finn told me once, as we sat on the porch watching the sun go down, that one thing he remembered our mom telling him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessi-kirby/finn-told-me-once-as-we-sat-on-the-porch-watching-the-sun-go-down/) [Jessi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessi-kirby/) > [“And the whole time I was pleading with fate, or chance, or whatever, for him to find me. Just find me again. Find me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessi-kirby/and-the-whole-time-i-was-pleading-with-fate-or-chance-or-whatever-for/) [Jessi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessi-kirby/) > [We're all more than the person we show to everyone else. At least I hope so. Because I feel like there's more to me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessi-kirby/we-re-all-more-than-the-person-we-show-to-everyone-else-at-least-i/) [Jessi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessi-kirby/) > [“Some things need to be said. And sometimes they require strong words.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessi-kirby/some-things-need-to-be-said-and-sometimes-they-require-strong-words/) [Jessi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessi-kirby/) > [“Suspended as we were, with no horizon line or landscape or anything else to draw a separation between the water and the sky, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessi-kirby/suspended-as-we-were-with-no-horizon-line-or-landscape-or-anything/) [Jessi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessi-kirby/) > [“I can't go back. just like with everything else in my life. All I can do at this point is keep going forward. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessi-kirby/i-can-t-go-back-just-like-with-everything-else-in-my-life-all-i-can/) [Jessi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessi-kirby/) > [“Because that's the worse. That's worse than growing apart, or falling out of love, or even lying. Being with someone because you feel guilty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessi-kirby/because-that-s-the-worse-that-s-worse-than-growing-apart-or-falling/) [Jessi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessi-kirby/) > [Life is made of moments and choices. Not all of them matter, or have any lasting impact Then there's a different kind of moment.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessi-kirby/life-is-made-of-moments-and-choices-not-all-of-them-matter-or-have/) [Jessi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessi-kirby/) > [“After a minute I leaned back, elbows on the table, and looked up for the twinkle of the first star in the evening sky.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessi-kirby/after-a-minute-i-leaned-back-elbows-on-the-table-and-looked-up-for/) [Jessi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessi-kirby/) > [“Everyone wants the people to end up together in the end. It's human nature. The funny thing is, you always know they're going to.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessi-kirby/everyone-wants-the-people-to-end-up-together-in-the-end-it-s-human/) [Jessi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessi-kirby/) > [“In three words I can sum up all that I've learned about: It goes on.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessi-kirby/in-three-words-i-can-sum-up-all-that-i-ve-learned-about-it-goes-on/) [Jessi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessi-kirby/) > [“A moment was all it took to change everything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessi-kirby/a-moment-was-all-it-took-to-change-everything/) [Jessi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessi-kirby/) [Explore all 65 Jessi Kirby quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessi-kirby/) ## More Communication quotes > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [The problem posed by indirect speech acts is the problem of how it is possible for the speaker to say one thing and mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-searle/the-problem-posed-by-indirect-speech-acts-is-the-problem-of-how-it-is/) [John Searle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-searle/) > [We should have a conversation when we hang up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/we-should-have-a-conversation-when-we-hang-up/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/sing-like-no-one-s-listening-love-like-you-ve-never-been-hurt-dance/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [A poet is wounded into speech, and he examines these wounds, meticulously, to discover how to heal them. The bad poet harangues at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-r-delany/a-poet-is-wounded-into-speech-and-he-examines-these-wounds/) [Samuel R. Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-r-delany/) > [“To engage in dialogue is to serve others via whatever is real inside you; to engage in debate is to ultimately serve the illusions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oli-anderson/to-engage-in-dialogue-is-to-serve-others-via-whatever-is-real-inside/) [Oli Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oli-anderson/) > [What it comes down to for me is this: Will the technologies of communication in our culture, serve to enlighten us and help us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-waters/what-it-comes-down-to-for-me-is-this-will-the-technologies-of/) [Roger Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-waters/) > [In dialogue, there is opposition, yes, but no head-on collision. Smashing heads does not open minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-tannen/in-dialogue-there-is-opposition-yes-but-no-head-on-collision-smashing/) [Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-tannen/) > [A dialogue is very important. It is a form of communication in which question and answer continue till a question is left without an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/a-dialogue-is-very-important-it-is-a-form-of-communication-in-which/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [I get afraid of the dark if I'm in a great deal of dark, and I have to move around inside of that fear...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ferris/i-get-afraid-of-the-dark-if-i-m-in-a-great-deal-of-dark-and-i-have-to/) [Emil Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ferris/) > [I've been in a serious conversation with one of my children, and a fan has come up. 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