--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When people hear that I have a chronic…" description: "\"When people hear that I have a chronic illness, they'll say things like \"Focus on you.\" Well, my spiritual and emotional fulfillment is based not on wh..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/25a/karen-duffy-20710_arguing_when-people-hear-that-i-have-a-chronic-i_3038669.jpg" --- # When people hear that I have a chronic illness, they'll… ![“When people hear that I have a chronic illness, they'll say things like "Focus on you." Well, my spiritual and emotional fulfillment is based not on who I am but on what I can give. Plus, many of my favorite philosophers suggested that self-fulfillment is found through service. Who am I to argue…” quote by Karen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/25a/karen-duffy-20710_arguing_when-people-hear-that-i-have-a-chronic-i_3038669.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/25a/karen-duffy-20710_arguing_when-people-hear-that-i-have-a-chronic-i_3038669.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/25a/karen-duffy-20710_arguing_when-people-hear-that-i-have-a-chronic-i_3038669.jpg) > “When people hear that I have a chronic illness, they'll say things like "Focus on you." Well, my spiritual and emotional fulfillment is based not on who I am but on what I can give. Plus, many of my favorite philosophers suggested that self-fulfillment is found through service. Who am I to argue with them?” [Karen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-duffy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Personal fulfillment comes from serving others rather than focusing on self; philosophers support this view. **In simple terms:** Helping others brings true satisfaction. Key Takeaway Serve to feel fulfilled. Themes service fulfillment philosophy Mood reflective inspired Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - volunteering - caregiving - community projects - teaching Key Concepts altruism meaning spirituality Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance service with self‑care? - What motivates your desire to give? A Different Perspective May overlook personal health needs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arguing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arguing/) [Chronic illness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chronic-illness/) [Emotional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotional/) [Emotional Fulfillment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotional-fulfillment-1618354/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Focus Spiritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus-spiritual-898007/) [Fulfillment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fulfillment/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Illness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illness/) [My favorite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-favorite/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Philosopher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosopher/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self fulfillment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-fulfillment/) [Spiritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual/) [Suggested Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suggested-self-4997987/) ## Related quotes > [There are all kinds of other things I could do, things I would probably like, but only acting would give me emotional fulfillment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mira-sorvino/there-are-all-kinds-of-other-things-i-could-do-things-i-would/) [Mira Sorvino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mira-sorvino/) > [My professional acting life, stage and screen, has brought me public support, emotional fulfillment and material comfort. It has brought me together with fine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-o-toole/my-professional-acting-life-stage-and-screen-has-brought-me-public/) [Peter O'Toole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-o-toole/) > [I've had so much positive reaction and emotional fulfillment from the creation of my art and sharing it with everyday people that I never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-kinkade/i-ve-had-so-much-positive-reaction-and-emotional-fulfillment-from-the/) [Thomas Kinkade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-kinkade/) > [“You can stuff yourself with emotional fulfillment until it’s dribbling down your chin & your ego will quickly chomp it down and demand more.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-slap/you-can-stuff-yourself-with-emotional-fulfillment-until-it-s/) [Stan Slap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-slap/) > [There are many paths through the Ring of Life. They are a constant movement toward self-fulfillment through growth of your mind, expansion of your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frosty-wooldridge/there-are-many-paths-through-the-ring-of-life-they-are-a-constant/) [Frosty Wooldridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frosty-wooldridge/) > [In any Christian view of life, self-fulfillment must never be permitted to become the controlling issue. The issue is service, the service of real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-carson/in-any-christian-view-of-life-self-fulfillment-must-never-be/) [D. A. Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-carson/) > [My philosophy of life is that the meek shall inherit nothing but debasement, frustration and ignoble deaths; that there is security in personal strength;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/my-philosophy-of-life-is-that-the-meek-shall-inherit-nothing-but/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [The true gospel is a call to self-denial. It is not a call to self-fulfillment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-true-gospel-is-a-call-to-self-denial-it-is-not-a-call-to-self/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [One of the most powerful wellsprings of creative energy, outstanding accomplishment, and self-fulfillment seems to be falling in love with something - your dreams,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellis-paul-torrance/one-of-the-most-powerful-wellsprings-of-creative-energy-outstanding/) [Ellis Paul Torrance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellis-paul-torrance/) > [Self fulfillment thinks of how something serves me. Self development thinks of how something helps me to serve others. With self fulfillment, feeling good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/self-fulfillment-thinks-of-how-something-serves-me-self-development/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Remember that work is not a place for self-fulfillment. If it were, you would know it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corinne-maier/remember-that-work-is-not-a-place-for-self-fulfillment-if-it-were-you/) [Corinne Maier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corinne-maier/) > [Disappointments that we experience give substance and integrity to life. They give us that direction to yearn and seek self-fulfillment and worth. Whenever you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/disappointments-that-we-experience-give-substance-and-integrity-to/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [The essence of self-fulfillment and autonomous culture is an unshakable egotism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/the-essence-of-self-fulfillment-and-autonomous-culture-is-an/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [In the early years of the Roaring Twenties, American women not only won the right to vote but they also earned headlines along side…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-de-varona/in-the-early-years-of-the-roaring-twenties-american-women-not-only/) [Donna de Varona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-de-varona/) > [This covenant energy holds and mirrors the pact that we have made of self-fulfillment for ourselves in this lifetime, and that covenant energy holds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-mccormick-day/this-covenant-energy-holds-and-mirrors-the-pact-that-we-have-made-of/) [Christine McCormick Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-mccormick-day/) ## More by Karen Duffy > [I prefer atrophy over exercise any day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-duffy/i-prefer-atrophy-over-exercise-any-day/) [Karen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-duffy/) > [The lesion is in the area of my brain that is responsible for motor function, so I have continual chronic pain in my left…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-duffy/the-lesion-is-in-the-area-of-my-brain-that-is-responsible-for-motor/) [Karen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-duffy/) > [“It's a mistake to do nothing just because you can only do a little.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-duffy/it-s-a-mistake-to-do-nothing-just-because-you-can-only-do-a-little/) [Karen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-duffy/) > [I never expected in a million years that I would have the honor to become an advocate of women's health care and education, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-duffy/i-never-expected-in-a-million-years-that-i-would-have-the-honor-to/) [Karen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-duffy/) > [In the beginning, when I first found out I had a disease that was incurable, emotionally I had to get used to the idea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-duffy/in-the-beginning-when-i-first-found-out-i-had-a-disease-that-was/) [Karen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-duffy/) > [The ancient Greek view of happiness was really defined by leading a productive life: It's not about how much you have, it's about what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-duffy/the-ancient-greek-view-of-happiness-was-really-defined-by-leading-a/) [Karen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-duffy/) > [My family has been amazing, and they understand how blessed I am. They've been able to keep my sense of humor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-duffy/my-family-has-been-amazing-and-they-understand-how-blessed-i-am-they/) [Karen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-duffy/) > [I am a bit of a Cheap Pete, but I do spend a fortune on books and false moustaches and practical jokes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-duffy/i-am-a-bit-of-a-cheap-pete-but-i-do-spend-a-fortune-on-books-and/) [Karen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-duffy/) > [“Happiness is the best cosmetic."---Model Patient”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-duffy/happiness-is-the-best-cosmetic-model-patient/) [Karen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-duffy/) > [It is a mistake to do nothing just because you think you can only do a little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-duffy/it-is-a-mistake-to-do-nothing-just-because-you-think-you-can-only-do/) [Karen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-duffy/) > [It's been an incredible odyssey to make the journey from a vibrantly healthy person to someone with a chronic illness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-duffy/it-s-been-an-incredible-odyssey-to-make-the-journey-from-a-vibrantly/) [Karen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-duffy/) > [I am enormously honored to be one of the spokesmen of the New Age Womens Health Campaign, so you'll be seeing me in public…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-duffy/i-am-enormously-honored-to-be-one-of-the-spokesmen-of-the-new-age/) [Karen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-duffy/) > [Concealing an illness is like keeping a beach ball under water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-duffy/concealing-an-illness-is-like-keeping-a-beach-ball-under-water/) [Karen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-duffy/) > [I try to manage my time to conserve energy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-duffy/i-try-to-manage-my-time-to-conserve-energy/) [Karen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-duffy/) > [I did as much research as I could and I took ownership of this illness, because if you don't take care of your body,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-duffy/i-did-as-much-research-as-i-could-and-i-took-ownership-of-this/) [Karen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-duffy/) [Explore all 30 Karen Duffy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-duffy/) ## More Arguing quotes > [I do wish you wouldn't argue with me when I'm knitting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/i-do-wish-you-wouldn-t-argue-with-me-when-i-m-knitting/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [Any comprehensive doctrine, religious or secular, can be introduced into any political argument at any time, but I argue that people who do this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rawls/any-comprehensive-doctrine-religious-or-secular-can-be-introduced/) [John Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rawls/) > [It's fine to talk about politics with people you agree with. But it is rude to argue about politics with people you disagree with.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-lessig/it-s-fine-to-talk-about-politics-with-people-you-agree-with-but-it-is/) [Lawrence Lessig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-lessig/) > [Men are fair, and they have learned not to personalize anger - they can disagree with you and argue to the bone, but afterward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-farrell/men-are-fair-and-they-have-learned-not-to-personalize-anger-they-can/) [Warren Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-farrell/) > [When Eudæmonidas heard a philosopher arguing that only a wise man can be a good general, "This is a wonderful speech," said he; "but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/when-eud-monidas-heard-a-philosopher-arguing-that-only-a-wise-man-can/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Fasting is required, staying away from fighting and arguing and bombing of masjids is still going on. Hatred is still manifested between Sunni and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-farrakhan/fasting-is-required-staying-away-from-fighting-and-arguing-and/) [Louis Farrakhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-farrakhan/) > [The problem for the Left, however, is that the moment it stops painting the Right as vile, it has to argue the issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/the-problem-for-the-left-however-is-that-the-moment-it-stops-painting/) [Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/) > [To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/to-argue-with-a-person-who-has-renounced-the-use-of-reason-is-like/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [You can argue that the Terminator movies reboot their world each time they go back in time, but that doesn't negate the value of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hayter/you-can-argue-that-the-terminator-movies-reboot-their-world-each-time/) [David Hayter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hayter/) > [We may argue eloquently that 'Honesty is the best Policy' - unfortunately, the moment honesty is adopted for the sake of policy it mysteriously…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/we-may-argue-eloquently-that-honesty-is-the-best-policy-unfortunately/) [Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/) > [I'm a very serious person, but I don't take myself very seriously and I would rather laugh all day than argue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stone-cold-steve-austin/i-m-a-very-serious-person-but-i-don-t-take-myself-very-seriously-and/) [Stone Cold Steve Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stone-cold-steve-austin/) > [These eyes, tho' clear To outward view of blemish or of spot, Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot, Nor to their idle orbs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/these-eyes-tho-clear-to-outward-view-of-blemish-or-of-spot-bereft-of/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [There's crucial distinction that has to be drawn between the Shari'a, which is this hugely expansive vision of cosmic order that I've been describing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadakat-kadri/there-s-crucial-distinction-that-has-to-be-drawn-between-the-shari-a/) [Sadakat Kadri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadakat-kadri/) > [Only fools argue whether to eat meat or not. They don't understand truth nor do they meditate on it. Who can define what is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guru-nanak/only-fools-argue-whether-to-eat-meat-or-not-they-don-t-understand/) [Guru Nanak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guru-nanak/) > [The surest sign that you haven't any sense is to argue with one who hasn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-j-peter/the-surest-sign-that-you-haven-t-any-sense-is-to-argue-with-one-who/) [Laurence J. Peter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-j-peter/) [Browse all 1,908 Arguing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arguing/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When people hear that I have a chronic illness, they'll say things like \"Focus on you.\" Well, my spiritual and emotional fulfillment is based not on who I am but on what I can give. Plus, many of my favorite philosophers suggested that self-fulfillment is found through service. 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