---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This has been a long and imperfect…"
description: "\"“This has been a long and imperfect journey. It is a journey I am still on. I will always be on. And it is one I would like to share with you. I want c..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/775/jewel-1833_another-day_this-has-been-a-long-and-imperfect-journ_2711701.jpg"
---

#  This has been a long and imperfect journey. It is a…

![“This has been a long and imperfect journey. It is a journey I am still on. I will always be on. And it is one I would like to share with you. I want company along my road. This is an invitation to question your life and, should you desire, to find the courage to erase the lines that imprison you…” quote by Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/775/jewel-1833_another-day_this-has-been-a-long-and-imperfect-journ_2711701.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/775/jewel-1833_another-day_this-has-been-a-long-and-imperfect-journ_2711701.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/775/jewel-1833_another-day_this-has-been-a-long-and-imperfect-journ_2711701.jpg)

> ““This has been a long and imperfect journey. It is a journey I am still on. I will always be on. And it is one I would like to share with you. I want company along my road. This is an invitation to question your life and, should you desire, to find the courage to erase the lines that imprison you and to reimagine a better you. And if you do not get it just right (none of us do), you are invited to keep redrawing and redrawing until you feel your outer world matches your inner life. If falling short of our goals is truly what terrifies us, then we should do away with half measures. The notion that dipping a toe in the water somehow protects us is nothing short of fear propagation—and in fact guarantees the hurt we fear. Be bold. Name what you want. Give it voice and then give it action. Success is not guaranteed but commitment and courage are the only insurance we have. This is serious. Every day that passes is another day closer to looking back on your life and seeing whether you have done something meaningful. Don’t let the days pass without doing something great. Be the architect of your dreams.””

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A call to continuously pursue personal growth, embrace boldness, and align outer actions with inner aspirations despite imperfections.

**In simple terms:** Keep striving, be bold, and shape your life purposefully.

Key Takeaway

Act with courage and commit daily.

Themes

self‑development boldness purpose commitment

Mood

motivational determined

Type

inspirational philosophical

When to use this quote

- career planning
- personal therapy
- creative projects
- daily habit building

Key Concepts

courage vision authenticity continuous improvement

Questions to Reflect On

- What bold step will you take today?
- How can you align your actions with your inner vision?

A Different Perspective

Fear can stall progress; bold steps may feel risky.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Inner life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inner-life/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/)

## Related quotes

> [The most disappointing period are started then, / when you're desire, and courage to be lose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/the-most-disappointing-period-are-started-then-when-you-re-desire-and/)

Mak\_786

> [When you pray, you know that you want something, that's always the first step. to let yourself know that you want something, that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippa-gregory/when-you-pray-you-know-that-you-want-something-that-s-always-the/)

[Philippa Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippa-gregory/)

> [“It might never have happened. That’s among the most important lessons of history . . . and of life. There is so much around us that might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mccullough/it-might-never-have-happened-that-s-among-the-most-important-lessons/)

[David McCullough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mccullough/)

> [“Perseverance, determination, commitment, and courage - those things are real. The desire for redemption drives you. And the will to succeed - it’s everything.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/perseverance-determination-commitment-and-courage-those-things-are-2/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [We need energy, commitment, and courage not to run from our life nor to cover it over with any philosophy—material or spiritual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/we-need-energy-commitment-and-courage-not-to-run-from-our-life-nor-to/)

[Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/)

> [Challenging the status quo takes commitment, courage, imagination, and, above all, dedication to learning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-ganz/challenging-the-status-quo-takes-commitment-courage-imagination-and/)

[Marshall Ganz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-ganz/)

> [“At any stage of the game — regardless of your educational level, upbringing or age — you can decide to leapfrog the pettiness of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-pape/at-any-stage-of-the-game-regardless-of-your-educational-level/)

[Scott Pape](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-pape/)

> [The Marine Corps taught me commitment, courage, focus, and a value system that can easily suffice for people like me who aren't religious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-lutz/the-marine-corps-taught-me-commitment-courage-focus-and-a-value/)

[Bob Lutz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-lutz/)

> [My work is my passion and my life is all about to withstand with commitment &amp; courage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dranil-kr-sinha/my-work-is-my-passion-and-my-life-is-all-about-to-withstand-with/)

[DrAnil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dranil-kr-sinha/)

> ['Iceman' covers a bigger scope than 'Long Day's Journey.' But they're both fabulous pieces of work. 'Iceman' is like a symphony. It's got all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-robards/iceman-covers-a-bigger-scope-than-long-day-s-journey-but-they-re-both/)

[Jason Robards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-robards/)

> [“It was not like the beginning of a journey; it was like the beginning of a dream.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-g-wells/it-was-not-like-the-beginning-of-a-journey-it-was-like-the-beginning/)

[H. G. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-g-wells/)

> [Wonder knows that while you cannot look at the light, you cannot look at anything else without it. It is not exhausted by childhood,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/wonder-knows-that-while-you-cannot-look-at-the-light-you-cannot-look/)

[Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/)

> [I have put absolutely everything into my album. I feel like it's been such a long journey to get here. It is like giving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bebe-rexha/i-have-put-absolutely-everything-into-my-album-i-feel-like-it-s-been/)

[Bebe Rexha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bebe-rexha/)

> [A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/a-journey-is-like-marriage-the-certain-way-to-be-wrong-is-to-think/)

[John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/)

> [It takes a great strength of character to arrive at Real at 18 years and make a journey like I have so far.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raphael-varane/it-takes-a-great-strength-of-character-to-arrive-at-real-at-18-years/)

[Raphael Varane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raphael-varane/)

## More by Jewel

> [I want my whole life to be a great work of art, not just my art. And that means paying attention to my entire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/i-want-my-whole-life-to-be-a-great-work-of-art-not-just-my-art-and/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [Forgiveness is the needle that knows how to mend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/forgiveness-is-the-needle-that-knows-how-to-mend/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [We must never lose sight of the fact that we must take part in the development, not only of ourselves but of all humanity...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/we-must-never-lose-sight-of-the-fact-that-we-must-take-part-in-the/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [There is always one true thing to believe in…God,Science,Karma or fate...one of this always judge u.So.. try to be good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/there-is-always-one-true-thing-to-believe-in-god-science-karma-or/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [Being part of the natural world reminds me that innocence isn't ever lost completely; we just need to maintain our goodness to regain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/being-part-of-the-natural-world-reminds-me-that-innocence-isn-t-ever/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [Show me one man who knows his own heart, to him I shall belong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/show-me-one-man-who-knows-his-own-heart-to-him-i-shall-belong/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [“Spend time in silence. Take time to get to know yourself and your genius in stillness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/spend-time-in-silence-take-time-to-get-to-know-yourself-and-your/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [You always feel better when you sing. Music touches people's hearts. You know, it doesn't go through your mental capacity, it just moves you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/you-always-feel-better-when-you-sing-music-touches-people-s-hearts/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [I'm a happy mum. I didn't think it was in the cards for me, so I feel very blessed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/i-m-a-happy-mum-i-didn-t-think-it-was-in-the-cards-for-me-so-i-feel/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [Love bravely, live bravely, be courageous, there's really nothing to lose. There's no wrong you can't make right again, so be kinder to yourself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/love-bravely-live-bravely-be-courageous-there-s-really-nothing-to/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [I'm trying to be in the moment and really enjoy my pregnancy. I feel really lucky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/i-m-trying-to-be-in-the-moment-and-really-enjoy-my-pregnancy-i-feel/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [Lots of people have gone from public housing to do great things in the world and have a tremendous sense of duty to their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/lots-of-people-have-gone-from-public-housing-to-do-great-things-in/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [Love bravely, live bravely, be courageous; there's really nothing to lose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/love-bravely-live-bravely-be-courageous-there-s-really-nothing-to-lose/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [On my own I generally have very messy hair, wear jeans and sneakers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/on-my-own-i-generally-have-very-messy-hair-wear-jeans-and-sneakers/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

> [Who will save your soul, if you won’t save your own?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/who-will-save-your-soul-if-you-won-t-save-your-own/)

[Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

[Explore all 204 Jewel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/)

## More Another day quotes

> [In the entire history of the universe, let alone in your own history, there has never been another day just like today, and there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-buechner/in-the-entire-history-of-the-universe-let-alone-in-your-own-history/)

[Frederick Buechner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-buechner/)

> [“We have no idea, now, of who or what the inhabitants of our future might be. In that sense, we have no future. Not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gibson/we-have-no-idea-now-of-who-or-what-the-inhabitants-of-our-future/)

[William Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gibson/)

> [A very small percentage of the people in this world will actually experience and live today. So many people will be stuck on another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/a-very-small-percentage-of-the-people-in-this-world-will-actually/)

[Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/)

> [“TOMORROW IS ANOTHER DAY. Not true. Today is another day. We have no idea what tomorrow is going to be. It might turn out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/tomorrow-is-another-day-not-true-today-is-another-day-we-have-no-idea/)

[George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/)

> [Consider developing your whole self with the same raw focus and intensity that you develop a particular skill set. Get focused. Go out, have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-holden/consider-developing-your-whole-self-with-the-same-raw-focus-and/)

[Anthony Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-holden/)

> [David Rockefeller is the most conspicuous representative today of the ruling class, a multinational fraternity of men who shape the global economy and manage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-moyers/david-rockefeller-is-the-most-conspicuous-representative-today-of-the/)

[Bill Moyers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-moyers/)

> [If you live for today you can live another day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalya-johnson/if-you-live-for-today-you-can-live-another-day/)

[Natalya Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalya-johnson/)

> [Today isn't just another day off, it's a day to remember those who have sacrificed their life for your FREEDOM. Happy Memorial Day!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/today-isn-t-just-another-day-off-it-s-a-day-to-remember-those-who/)

[Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/)

> [Another day is another blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mhaj-porras/another-day-is-another-blessing/)

[Mhaj Porras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mhaj-porras/)

> [You load 16 tons, and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt. St. Peter don't you call me 'cause I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/merle-travis/you-load-16-tons-and-what-do-you-get-another-day-older-and-deeper-in/)

[Merle Travis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/merle-travis/)

> [“Dawn. Another day is given us, R’hllor be praised.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/dawn-another-day-is-given-us-r-hllor-be-praised/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [“Just another day in my life. This was one of those days when I thought that maybe a new life, a different life, wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/just-another-day-in-my-life-this-was-one-of-those-days-when-i-thought/)

[Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/)

> [Another day, Another blessing and Another chance at life. Take nothing for granted and think of every breath as a gift.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rashida-rowe/another-day-another-blessing-and-another-chance-at-life-take-nothing/)

[Rashida Rowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rashida-rowe/)

> [Life is too short to spend another day at war with yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/life-is-too-short-to-spend-another-day-at-war-with-yourself/)

[Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/)

> [Another day feeling unimportant. I should really consider being a back up singer...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/another-day-feeling-unimportant-i-should-really-consider-being-a-back/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

Browse all 1,021 Another day quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“This has been a long and imperfect journey. It is a journey I am still on. I will always be on. And it is one I would like to share with you. I want company along my road. This is an invitation to question your life and, should you desire, to find the courage to erase the lines that imprison you and to reimagine a better you. And if you do not get it just right (none of us do), you are invited to keep redrawing and redrawing until you feel your outer world matches your inner life. If falling short of our goals is truly what terrifies us, then we should do away with half measures. The notion that dipping a toe in the water somehow protects us is nothing short of fear propagation—and in fact guarantees the hurt we fear. Be bold. Name what you want. Give it voice and then give it action. Success is not guaranteed but commitment and courage are the only insurance we have. This is serious. Every day that passes is another day closer to looking back on your life and seeing whether you have done something meaningful. Don’t let the days pass without doing something great. Be the architect of your dreams.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Jewel"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/this-has-been-a-long-and-imperfect-journey-it-is-a-journey-i-am-still/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Another day"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/this-has-been-a-long-and-imperfect-journey-it-is-a-journey-i-am-still/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/775/jewel-1833_another-day_this-has-been-a-long-and-imperfect-journ_2711701.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/775/jewel-1833_another-day_this-has-been-a-long-and-imperfect-journ_2711701.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/775/jewel-1833_another-day_this-has-been-a-long-and-imperfect-journ_2711701.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“This has been a long and imperfect journey. It is a journey I am still on. I will always be on. And it is…” — Jewel",
                "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": "Jewel",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“This has been a long and...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/this-has-been-a-long-and-imperfect-journey-it-is-a-journey-i-am-still/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/this-has-been-a-long-and-imperfect-journey-it-is-a-journey-i-am-still/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
