---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Life hands us things we don't want. Nasty…"
description: "\"“Life hands us things we don't want. Nasty things. Terrible things. It's how we handle those things that matters. That's all.”\" — Lisa Schroeder"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a39/lisa-schroeder-2932_life_life-hands-us-things-we-don-t-want-nasty_524652.jpg"
---

#  Life hands us things we don't want. Nasty things. Terrible…

![“Life hands us things we don't want. Nasty things. Terrible things. It's how we handle those things that matters. That's all.” quote by Lisa Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a39/lisa-schroeder-2932_life_life-hands-us-things-we-don-t-want-nasty_524652.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a39/lisa-schroeder-2932_life_life-hands-us-things-we-don-t-want-nasty_524652.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a39/lisa-schroeder-2932_life_life-hands-us-things-we-don-t-want-nasty_524652.jpg)

> ““Life hands us things we don't want. Nasty things. Terrible things. It's how we handle those things that matters. That's all.””

[Lisa Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-schroeder/)

## About This Quote

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

How we respond to unwanted hardships defines our character and outcomes.

**In simple terms:** Response to hardship matters.

Key Takeaway

Focus on response, not circumstance.

Themes

resilience mindset adversity

Mood

determined reflective

Type

motivational inspirational

When to use this quote

- personal crisis
- workplace conflict
- health challenges
- relationship stress

Key Concepts

cognitive reframing emotional regulation

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you choose your reaction?
- What habits support constructive coping?

A Different Perspective

Response alone cannot change external reality.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/)

## Related quotes

> [“There are still things to be handle; there will always be things to be handled. Nobody ever gets caught up and finished on what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bukowski/there-are-still-things-to-be-handle-there-will-always-be-things-to-be/)

[Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bukowski/)

> [I think you just have to take life as it goes, and I believe you never get things put on you that you can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-wozniacki/i-think-you-just-have-to-take-life-as-it-goes-and-i-believe-you-never/)

[Caroline Wozniacki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-wozniacki/)

> [Every time I face things I cant handle myself...i close my eyes and pray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercy-pheona/every-time-i-face-things-i-cant-handle-myself-i-close-my-eyes-and-pray/)

[Mercy Pheona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercy-pheona/)

> [God dosen't give us things that we can't handle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/god-dosen-t-give-us-things-that-we-can-t-handle/)

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

> [If you love someone, show them. Show them just how special and important they are with little things because the little things are what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/if-you-love-someone-show-them-show-them-just-how-special-and/)

[Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/)

> [Being married, having children, a home and being happy. Without these things, nothing else matters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-blake/being-married-having-children-a-home-and-being-happy-without-these/)

[Amanda Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-blake/)

> [What is, what was, what will be. It does not matter. All things are nothing. Nothing is nothing. Nothing is all things. We are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-is-what-was-what-will-be-it-does-not-matter-all-things-are/)

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

> [The significance of something lies in its presence here and now. I don't care what it has been or what it will become. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asger-jorn/the-significance-of-something-lies-in-its-presence-here-and-now-i-don/)

[Asger Jorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asger-jorn/)

> [“And what is reality, if it isn’t how we feel about things? What else matters at the end of the day when we lie…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-quick/and-what-is-reality-if-it-isn-t-how-we-feel-about-things-what-else/)

[Matthew Quick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-quick/)

> [“It doesn't matter how wealthy you may be in material things, what matters is do you know what to do with those wealth?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaachynma-n-e-agu/it-doesn-t-matter-how-wealthy-you-may-be-in-material-things-what/)

[Jaachynma N.E. Agu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaachynma-n-e-agu/)

> [How you deal with things is what matters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-leaf/how-you-deal-with-things-is-what-matters/)

[Ryan Leaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-leaf/)

> [In the great scheme of things, what matters is not how long you live but why you live, what you stand for and what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-watson/in-the-great-scheme-of-things-what-matters-is-not-how-long-you-live/)

[Paul Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-watson/)

> [Relationships, not achievements or the acquisition of things, are what matters most in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/relationships-not-achievements-or-the-acquisition-of-things-are-what/)

[Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/)

> [what we call things matters. ... The words we use, and how we perceive those words, reflect how we value, or devalue, people, places,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/what-we-call-things-matters-the-words-we-use-and-how-we-perceive/)

[Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/)

> [There are things that are too terrible to remember, and there are things that are almost too wonderful to recall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-yancey/there-are-things-that-are-too-terrible-to-remember-and-there-are/)

[Rick Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-yancey/)

## More by Lisa Schroeder

> [“One outer paddles around on his back, spinning a blue ball on his tummy. I could watch them for hours. Because they get it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-schroeder/one-outer-paddles-around-on-his-back-spinning-a-blue-ball-on-his/)

[Lisa Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-schroeder/)

> [“THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ME AND YOU When I hold a rose, I see the soft, velvety petals and smile, because tucked between those precious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-schroeder/the-difference-between-me-and-you-when-i-hold-a-rose-i-see-the-soft/)

[Lisa Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-schroeder/)

> [“I've realized therapy is incredibly therapeutic.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-schroeder/i-ve-realized-therapy-is-incredibly-therapeutic/)

[Lisa Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-schroeder/)

> [“His, ours, theirs-- blame needs a place. His, ours, theirs-- pain all over the place. His, ours, theirs-- forgiveness missing from this place.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-schroeder/his-ours-theirs-blame-needs-a-place-his-ours-theirs-pain-all-over-the/)

[Lisa Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-schroeder/)

> [“I peel hiss tense fingers on his right hand away from the steering wheel, one two three four five. With each finger, the scowl…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-schroeder/i-peel-hiss-tense-fingers-on-his-right-hand-away-from-the-steering/)

[Lisa Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-schroeder/)

> [“When you meet someone so different from yourself, in a good way, you don't even have to kiss to have fireworks go off. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-schroeder/when-you-meet-someone-so-different-from-yourself-in-a-good-way-you/)

[Lisa Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-schroeder/)

> [“Cade motions with a nod to follow him. He's holding the pole, and I'm the fish on the line. Just how far will he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-schroeder/cade-motions-with-a-nod-to-follow-him-he-s-holding-the-pole-and-i-m/)

[Lisa Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-schroeder/)

> [“What I believe is that life is music and fabulous foliage, but it's also cancer and wars. That's just how it is. Maybe God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-schroeder/what-i-believe-is-that-life-is-music-and-fabulous-foliage-but-it-s/)

[Lisa Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-schroeder/)

> [“I'll wait for you at the finish line.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-schroeder/i-ll-wait-for-you-at-the-finish-line/)

[Lisa Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-schroeder/)

> [“It brings me back to the moment, and I want to live the moment with everything I’ve got.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-schroeder/it-brings-me-back-to-the-moment-and-i-want-to-live-the-moment-with/)

[Lisa Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-schroeder/)

> [“Doughnuts Music Love It doesn't get any better than this”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-schroeder/doughnuts-music-love-it-doesn-t-get-any-better-than-this/)

[Lisa Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-schroeder/)

> [“Funny how time goes on, things change, and yet, some things stay exactly the same.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-schroeder/funny-how-time-goes-on-things-change-and-yet-some-things-stay-exactly/)

[Lisa Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-schroeder/)

> [“When you meet someone so different from yourself, in a good way, you don't even have to kiss to have fireworks go off. Its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-schroeder/when-you-meet-someone-so-different-from-yourself-in-a-good-way-you-2/)

[Lisa Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-schroeder/)

> [“Absence makes the heart grow desperate.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-schroeder/absence-makes-the-heart-grow-desperate/)

[Lisa Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-schroeder/)

> [“Friends will keep us happy. Our family keeps us warm. We’ll party through the good times and hold tight through the storms.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-schroeder/friends-will-keep-us-happy-our-family-keeps-us-warm-we-ll-party/)

[Lisa Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-schroeder/)

[Explore all 142 Lisa Schroeder quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-schroeder/)

## More Life quotes

> [Of all the people who have affected my life and influenced the choices I've made, none has been more important than my father. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-atlas/of-all-the-people-who-have-affected-my-life-and-influenced-the/)

[Teddy Atlas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-atlas/)

> [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/)

[Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/)

> [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/)

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

> [Life works most perfectly when a reciprocal love relationship is in place between man and God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/life-works-most-perfectly-when-a-reciprocal-love-relationship-is-in/)

[Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/)

> [I value the experiences that come with life too much to sit by and not put my full effort into them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-miller/i-value-the-experiences-that-come-with-life-too-much-to-sit-by-and/)

[Jim Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-miller/)

> [Entertainment is a sacred pursuit when done well. When done well, it raises the quality of human life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/entertainment-is-a-sacred-pursuit-when-done-well-when-done-well-it/)

[Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/)

> [“There's more to life than you can see. Your sight is limited.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammy-kling/there-s-more-to-life-than-you-can-see-your-sight-is-limited/)

[Tammy Kling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammy-kling/)

> [“I've spent much of my life calling my intuition "something wrong with me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deanna-l-lawlis/i-ve-spent-much-of-my-life-calling-my-intuition-something-wrong-with/)

Deanna L. Lawlis

> [When you do things they're absolutely right at that time for you and it can always teach you something about yourself. You can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kym-marsh/when-you-do-things-they-re-absolutely-right-at-that-time-for-you-and/)

[Kym Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kym-marsh/)

> [The only people who think the Internet is a calamity are people whose lives have been hurt by it; the only people who insist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-klosterman/the-only-people-who-think-the-internet-is-a-calamity-are-people-whose/)

[Chuck Klosterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-klosterman/)

> [The one thing that I keep learning over and over again is that I don't know nothing. I mean, that's my life lesson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-johnson/the-one-thing-that-i-keep-learning-over-and-over-again-is-that-i-don/)

[Dwayne Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-johnson/)

> [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/)

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

> [“The future is only an indifferent void no one cares about, but the past is filled with life, and its countenance is irritating, repellent,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/the-future-is-only-an-indifferent-void-no-one-cares-about-but-the/)

[Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/)

> [Two things revolutionised life: moving to the countryside and falling in love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-love/two-things-revolutionised-life-moving-to-the-countryside-and-falling/)

[Nick Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-love/)

> [But just remember, life without me would be even more unbearable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-rice/but-just-remember-life-without-me-would-be-even-more-unbearable/)

[Anne Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-rice/)

[Browse all 265,290 Life quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Life hands us things we don't want. Nasty things. Terrible things. It's how we handle those things that matters. That's all.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Lisa Schroeder"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-schroeder/life-hands-us-things-we-don-t-want-nasty-things-terrible-things-it-s/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Life"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-schroeder/life-hands-us-things-we-don-t-want-nasty-things-terrible-things-it-s/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a39/lisa-schroeder-2932_life_life-hands-us-things-we-don-t-want-nasty_524652.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a39/lisa-schroeder-2932_life_life-hands-us-things-we-don-t-want-nasty_524652.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a39/lisa-schroeder-2932_life_life-hands-us-things-we-don-t-want-nasty_524652.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Life hands us things we don't want. Nasty things. Terrible things. It's how we handle those things that…” — Lisa Schroeder",
                "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": "Lisa Schroeder",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-schroeder/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Life hands us things we don't...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-schroeder/life-hands-us-things-we-don-t-want-nasty-things-terrible-things-it-s/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-schroeder/life-hands-us-things-we-don-t-want-nasty-things-terrible-things-it-s/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
