--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Most of our distractions are designed to…" description: "\"Most of our distractions are designed to invite us away from this recognition, which is a good idea.\" — Leonard Cohen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/150/leonard-cohen-448_distraction_most-of-our-distractions-are-designed-to_2982069.jpg" --- # Most of our distractions are designed to invite us away… ![“Most of our distractions are designed to invite us away from this recognition, which is a good idea.” quote by Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/150/leonard-cohen-448_distraction_most-of-our-distractions-are-designed-to_2982069.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/150/leonard-cohen-448_distraction_most-of-our-distractions-are-designed-to_2982069.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/150/leonard-cohen-448_distraction_most-of-our-distractions-are-designed-to_2982069.jpg) > “Most of our distractions are designed to invite us away from this recognition, which is a good idea.” [Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Distractions are intentionally designed to divert us from deeper recognition, which can be beneficial. **In simple terms:** Distractions pull us from insight, sometimes helpfully. Key Takeaway Be aware of distractions that both hinder and aid insight. Themes attention mindfulness recognition Mood contemplative curious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - digital detox - meditation retreats - creative brainstorming sessions Key Concepts cognitive psychology spiritual awareness Questions to Reflect On - What distractions serve a constructive purpose? - How to discern beneficial from harmful diversion? A Different Perspective Distractions can also prevent necessary focus. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Away Recognition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/away-recognition-4642701/) [Distraction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distraction/) [Distractions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distractions/) [Distractions Designed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distractions-designed-4642699/) [Good ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-ideas/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Invite Away](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invite-away-4642700/) [Invites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invites/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Recognition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recognition/) [Recognition Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recognition-good-365552/) ## Related quotes > [“An applause is not just the recognition of good performance, but its proof of being different than the crowd.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/an-applause-is-not-just-the-recognition-of-good-performance-but-its/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [The speech recognition is now good enough that I dictate emails on my phone rather than type them in. It's not perfect, but it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-dean/the-speech-recognition-is-now-good-enough-that-i-dictate-emails-on-my/) [Jeff Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-dean/) > [There is undoubtedly a lot of pressure that comes with recognition, which can be a good thing and bad thing all at the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prabal-gurung/there-is-undoubtedly-a-lot-of-pressure-that-comes-with-recognition/) [Prabal Gurung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prabal-gurung/) > [A lot of guys don't get their recognition, all the good men out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pepa/a-lot-of-guys-don-t-get-their-recognition-all-the-good-men-out-there/) [Pepa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pepa/) > [The thing is, I don't do these things for recognition, being a good teammate, being a positive member of the community. I do them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwyane-wade/the-thing-is-i-don-t-do-these-things-for-recognition-being-a-good/) [Dwyane Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwyane-wade/) > [Our differences - in race, sexual preference, economic - have always been used as distractions to keep us divided. We get so wrapped up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-jamal-warner/our-differences-in-race-sexual-preference-economic-have-always-been/) [Malcolm-Jamal Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-jamal-warner/) > [You have a number of choices. You could continue to always fight against people who are really distractions. They're people in the cheap seats…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-thomas/you-have-a-number-of-choices-you-could-continue-to-always-fight/) [Clarence Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-thomas/) > [There's so many things running through your mind. If you can formulate a game plan that works for you and allows you to block…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-arrieta/there-s-so-many-things-running-through-your-mind-if-you-can-formulate/) [Jake Arrieta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-arrieta/) > [I'm not worried about all the distractions, 'Am I going to be playing, am I going to be doing this?' Whatever I can do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-chung/i-m-not-worried-about-all-the-distractions-am-i-going-to-be-playing/) [Patrick Chung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-chung/) > [“How tragic it is to find that an entire lifetime is wasted in pursuit of distractions while purpose is neglected.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/how-tragic-it-is-to-find-that-an-entire-lifetime-is-wasted-in-pursuit/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [There are always going to be distractions, push and shove between players. It's about rolling with the punches and enjoying every situation, good or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johanna-konta/there-are-always-going-to-be-distractions-push-and-shove-between/) [Johanna Konta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johanna-konta/) > [I've tried to stick with the same people from when my career started to today. The more people you add around you, the more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-jones-jr/i-ve-tried-to-stick-with-the-same-people-from-when-my-career-started/) [Roy Jones Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-jones-jr/) > [I imagine that one of the biggest troubles with colleges is there are too many distractions, too much panty-raiding, fraternities, and boola-boola and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/i-imagine-that-one-of-the-biggest-troubles-with-colleges-is-there-are/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [“Working with these distractions, steadying the canoe, letting the waves pass by, and coming back again and again in a quiet and collected way,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/working-with-these-distractions-steadying-the-canoe-letting-the-waves/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [If anything during the playoffs, I try to golf more. I'll just do anything I can to be normal. I don't really designate any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denny-hamlin/if-anything-during-the-playoffs-i-try-to-golf-more-i-ll-just-do/) [Denny Hamlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denny-hamlin/) ## More by Leonard Cohen > [The blizzard of the world has crossed the threshold and it's overturned the order of the soul...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/the-blizzard-of-the-world-has-crossed-the-threshold-and-it-s/) [Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/) > [“Don't matter if you're rich and strong Don't matter if you're weak Don't matter if you write a song The nightingales repeat Don't matter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/don-t-matter-if-you-re-rich-and-strong-don-t-matter-if-you-re-weak/) [Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/) > [“You don't know me from the wind you never will, you never did I'm the little jew who wrote the Bible. I've seen the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/you-don-t-know-me-from-the-wind-you-never-will-you-never-did-i-m-the/) [Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/) > [“This is it I’m not coming after you I’m going to lie down for half an hour This is it I’m not going down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/this-is-it-i-m-not-coming-after-you-i-m-going-to-lie-down-for-half-an/) [Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/) > [My sense of proprietorship has been so weak that actually I didn't pay attention and I lost the copyrights on a lot of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/my-sense-of-proprietorship-has-been-so-weak-that-actually-i-didn-t/) [Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/) > [This world is full of conflicts and full of things that cannot be reconciled. But there are moments when we can... reconcile and embrace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/this-world-is-full-of-conflicts-and-full-of-things-that-cannot-be/) [Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/) > [ I would say the hummingbird really deserves the royalties on \[some of my songs\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/i-would-say-the-hummingbird-really-deserves-the-royalties-on-some-of/) [Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/) > [One is given to self-dramatization from time to time. I intend to live forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/one-is-given-to-self-dramatization-from-time-to-time-i-intend-to-live/) [Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/) > [The basic function of popular music is to create an environment for courting, lovemaking, and doing the dishes. It's useful because it addresses the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/the-basic-function-of-popular-music-is-to-create-an-environment-for/) [Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/) > [“Blessed are you, embrace of the falling, foundation of the light, master of the human accident.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/blessed-are-you-embrace-of-the-falling-foundation-of-the-light-master/) [Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/) > [I continually blacken pages and scribble away, so I always have a number of songs that are half-finished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/i-continually-blacken-pages-and-scribble-away-so-i-always-have-a/) [Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/) > [I have nothing against the Queen of England. Even in my heart I never resented her for not being Jackie Kennedy. She is, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/i-have-nothing-against-the-queen-of-england-even-in-my-heart-i-never/) [Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/) > [I loved you when you opened like a lily to the heat; you see I’m just another snowman standing in the rain and sleet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/i-loved-you-when-you-opened-like-a-lily-to-the-heat-you-see-i-m-just/) [Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/) > [It's time that we began to laugh and cry and cry and laugh about it all again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/it-s-time-that-we-began-to-laugh-and-cry-and-cry-and-laugh-about-it/) [Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/) > [“I followed the course From chaos to art Desire the horse Depression the cart”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/i-followed-the-course-from-chaos-to-art-desire-the-horse-depression/) [Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/) [Explore all 543 Leonard Cohen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/) ## More Distraction quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [I don't want this to be a distraction. This has been distracting enough. I'm not going to rehash this going forward. I'm sure other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-werth/i-don-t-want-this-to-be-a-distraction-this-has-been-distracting/) [Jayson Werth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-werth/) > [Almost all accidents take place because of human distraction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-thrun/almost-all-accidents-take-place-because-of-human-distraction/) [Sebastian Thrun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-thrun/) > [I spend a lot of time loathing the sentences that I put down on the page. Once I'm past that phase, it doesn't really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-link/i-spend-a-lot-of-time-loathing-the-sentences-that-i-put-down-on-the/) [Kelly Link](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-link/) > [To really be of benefit to others as the Buddha always taught, we ourselves must first get out of the swamp. One of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tenzin-palmo/to-really-be-of-benefit-to-others-as-the-buddha-always-taught-we/) [Tenzin Palmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tenzin-palmo/) > [As a social and as a personal force, religion has become a dependent variable. It does not originate; it reacts. It does not denounce;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-wright-mills/as-a-social-and-as-a-personal-force-religion-has-become-a-dependent/) [C. Wright Mills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-wright-mills/) > [Not knowing how to feed the spirit, we try to muffle its demands in distraction...What matters is that one be for a time inwardly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-morrow-lindbergh/not-knowing-how-to-feed-the-spirit-we-try-to-muffle-its-demands-in/) [Anne Morrow Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-morrow-lindbergh/) > [You have a number of choices. You could continue to always fight against people who are really distractions. They're people in the cheap seats…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-thomas/you-have-a-number-of-choices-you-could-continue-to-always-fight/) [Clarence Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-thomas/) > [I feel very privileged to get to read and write and not to have to do things that I don't like, and I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pankaj-mishra/i-feel-very-privileged-to-get-to-read-and-write-and-not-to-have-to-do/) [Pankaj Mishra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pankaj-mishra/) > [Meditation is sticking to one thought. That single thought keeps away other thoughts; distraction of mind is a sign of its weakness; by constant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramana-maharshi/meditation-is-sticking-to-one-thought-that-single-thought-keeps-away/) [Ramana Maharshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramana-maharshi/) > [“One of the defining symptoms of ADHD is distraction.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-orlov/one-of-the-defining-symptoms-of-adhd-is-distraction/) [Melissa Orlov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-orlov/) > [Some days, who can stare at swathes of sky, leafage and bad-complected whale-gray streets, tailpipes and smokestacks orating sepia exhaust, or the smaller enthusiasms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-s-di-piero/some-days-who-can-stare-at-swathes-of-sky-leafage-and-bad-complected/) [W. S. Di Piero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-di-piero/) > [“the problem with reading off a screen isn’t resolution, eyestrain, or compatibility with reading in the bathtub: it’s that computers are seductive, they tempt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-doctorow/the-problem-with-reading-off-a-screen-isn-t-resolution-eyestrain-or/) [Cory Doctorow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-doctorow/) > [“Distraction is your friend.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susane-colasanti/distraction-is-your-friend/) [Susane Colasanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susane-colasanti/) > [“Opportunity knocks but some people are too busy watching TV.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-gerard-trotman/opportunity-knocks-but-some-people-are-too-busy-watching-tv/) [Wayne Gerard Trotman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-gerard-trotman/) [Browse all 1,030 Distraction quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distraction/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Most of our distractions are designed to invite us away from this recognition, which is a good idea.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Leonard Cohen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/most-of-our-distractions-are-designed-to-invite-us-away-from-this/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Distraction" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/most-of-our-distractions-are-designed-to-invite-us-away-from-this/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/150/leonard-cohen-448_distraction_most-of-our-distractions-are-designed-to_2982069.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/150/leonard-cohen-448_distraction_most-of-our-distractions-are-designed-to_2982069.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/150/leonard-cohen-448_distraction_most-of-our-distractions-are-designed-to_2982069.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Most of our distractions are designed to invite us away from this recognition, which is a good idea.” — Leonard Cohen", "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": "Leonard Cohen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Most of our distractions are designed...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/most-of-our-distractions-are-designed-to-invite-us-away-from-this/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/most-of-our-distractions-are-designed-to-invite-us-away-from-this/#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 } } ] } ```