--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I watched the early morning light pass…" description: "\"I watched the early morning light pass over and through the windows of colored glass, leaving streaks of red and green and yellow on the stone floor. W..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/817/karen-cushman-24799_capture_i-watched-the-early-morning-light-pass-o_63671.jpg" --- # I watched the early morning light pass over and through… ![“I watched the early morning light pass over and through the windows of colored glass, leaving streaks of red and green and yellow on the stone floor. When I was little, I used to try and capture the colored light. I thought I could hold it in my hand and carry it home. Now I know it is like…” quote by Karen Cushman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/817/karen-cushman-24799_capture_i-watched-the-early-morning-light-pass-o_63671.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/817/karen-cushman-24799_capture_i-watched-the-early-morning-light-pass-o_63671.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/817/karen-cushman-24799_capture_i-watched-the-early-morning-light-pass-o_63671.jpg) > “I watched the early morning light pass over and through the windows of colored glass, leaving streaks of red and green and yellow on the stone floor. When I was little, I used to try and capture the colored light. I thought I could hold it in my hand and carry it home. Now I know it is like happiness-- it is there or it is not, you cannot hold it or keep it.” [Karen Cushman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-cushman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The narrator likens fleeting light through stained glass to happiness: both appear briefly, cannot be captured, and exist only in the moment. **In simple terms:** Happiness is fleeting, like light on a floor. Key Takeaway Cherish transient joy rather than trying to possess it. Themes happiness impermanence light memory Mood nostalgic tranquil Type metaphor reflection When to use this quote - watching sunrise - enjoying a concert - celebrating a brief success Key Concepts ephemeral nature of joy acceptance of transience Practical Applications - practice mindfulness to savor moments - avoid over‑attachment to fleeting feelings Questions to Reflect On - What practices help you notice fleeting joy? - Can happiness be intentionally cultivated? A Different Perspective Some view happiness as cultivable, not merely fleeting. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Colored glass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/colored-glass/) [Early morning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/early-morning/) [Home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/home/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Morning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morning/) [Morning light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morning-light/) [Red](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/red/) [Red and green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/red-and-green/) [Streaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/streaks/) [Yellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/yellow/) ## Related quotes > [“The room fractured into shards of colored light. Red… gold… green… and blue shimmered, then blurred into unrecognizable colors as they wound tightly around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-s-ruff/the-room-fractured-into-shards-of-colored-light-red-gold-green-and/) [K.S. 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They have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-wright/it-s-rewarding-to-be-able-to-change-people-s-perceptions-of-reality/) [Will Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-wright/) > [Here's to alcohol, the rose colored glasses of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/here-s-to-alcohol-the-rose-colored-glasses-of-life/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) ## More by Karen Cushman > [Love brightens and purifies the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-cushman/love-brightens-and-purifies-the-heart/) [Karen Cushman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-cushman/) > [Corpus Bones! I utterly loathe my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-cushman/corpus-bones-i-utterly-loathe-my-life/) [Karen Cushman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-cushman/) > [“I know what I want. 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My life is barren.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-cushman/i-am-near-fourteen-and-have-never-yet-seen-a-hanging-my-life-is-barren/) [Karen Cushman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-cushman/) > [Seems to me God made a big mistake when He failed to put handles on watermelons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-cushman/seems-to-me-god-made-a-big-mistake-when-he-failed-to-put-handles-on/) [Karen Cushman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-cushman/) > [Seems to me home is where I am loved and safe and needed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-cushman/seems-to-me-home-is-where-i-am-loved-and-safe-and-needed/) [Karen Cushman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-cushman/) > [“She was not as stupid as some I have had, and better company, but still perhaps her going was for the best. 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