--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ...with a rush of feeling he felt that…" description: "\"...with a rush of feeling he felt that this must be happiness. As soon as the thought came to him, he fought it back, blaming the whiskey. The very ide..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/455/john-mcgahern-11742_blame_with-a-rush-of-feeling-he-felt-that-this_1682958.jpg" --- # ...with a rush of feeling he felt that this must be… ![“...with a rush of feeling he felt that this must be happiness. As soon as the thought came to him, he fought it back, blaming the whiskey. The very idea was as dangerous as presumptive speech: happiness could not be sought or worried into being, or even fully grasped; it should be allowed its own…” quote by John McGahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/455/john-mcgahern-11742_blame_with-a-rush-of-feeling-he-felt-that-this_1682958.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/455/john-mcgahern-11742_blame_with-a-rush-of-feeling-he-felt-that-this_1682958.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/455/john-mcgahern-11742_blame_with-a-rush-of-feeling-he-felt-that-this_1682958.jpg) > “...with a rush of feeling he felt that this must be happiness. As soon as the thought came to him, he fought it back, blaming the whiskey. The very idea was as dangerous as presumptive speech: happiness could not be sought or worried into being, or even fully grasped; it should be allowed its own slow pace so that it passes unnoticed, if it ever comes at all.” [John McGahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcgahern/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He struggles with the notion that happiness must be pursued, suggesting it should arrive naturally and be appreciated slowly. **In simple terms:** Happiness should come naturally, not forced. Key Takeaway Allow happiness to unfold without pressure. Themes happiness acceptance patience Mood contemplative melancholic Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - personal reflection - therapy - mindfulness practice - creative writing Key Concepts existentialism psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do you recognize genuine happiness? - What practices help you accept emotions as they arise? A Different Perspective Happiness may be hindered by over‑analysis. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speech/) [Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought/) [Whiskey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whiskey/) [Wine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wine/) ## Related quotes > [“Without worry to protect me, every thought that came into my mind received real attention.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-patchett/without-worry-to-protect-me-every-thought-that-came-into-my-mind/) [Ann Patchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-patchett/) > [“A thought came to me. What do I think about the date with Rafe? 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