--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Suddenly the idea struck me that surely…" description: "\"“Suddenly the idea struck me that surely it was selfish to ask Heaven for anything; would it not be better to reflect on all that had already been give..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddc/marie-corelli-7507_gratitude_suddenly-the-idea-struck-me-that-surely_794250.jpg" --- # Suddenly the idea struck me that surely it was selfish to… ![“Suddenly the idea struck me that surely it was selfish to ask Heaven for anything; would it not be better to reflect on all that had already been given to me, and to offer up thanks? Scarcely had this thought entered my mind when a sort of overwhelming sense of unworthiness came over me. Had I…” quote by Marie Corelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddc/marie-corelli-7507_gratitude_suddenly-the-idea-struck-me-that-surely_794250.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddc/marie-corelli-7507_gratitude_suddenly-the-idea-struck-me-that-surely_794250.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddc/marie-corelli-7507_gratitude_suddenly-the-idea-struck-me-that-surely_794250.jpg) > ““Suddenly the idea struck me that surely it was selfish to ask Heaven for anything; would it not be better to reflect on all that had already been given to me, and to offer up thanks? Scarcely had this thought entered my mind when a sort of overwhelming sense of unworthiness came over me. Had I ever been unhappy? I wondered. If so, why? I began to count up my blessings and compare them with my misfortunes. Exhausted pleasure-seekers may be surprised to hear that I proved the joys of my life to have far exceeded my sorrows. I found that I had sight, hearing, youth, sound limbs, an appreciation of the beautiful in art and nature, and an intense power of enjoyment”” [Marie Corelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-corelli/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Recognizing and appreciating existing blessings reduces feelings of unworthiness and fosters gratitude. **In simple terms:** Count blessings to feel gratitude. Key Takeaway Practice daily gratitude. Themes gratitude self‑reflection well‑being Mood reflective calm Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - personal journaling - therapy - mindful meditation Key Concepts mindfulness psychology spirituality Questions to Reflect On - How do you notice small gifts? - What stops you from feeling grateful? A Different Perspective Gratitude can be hard when faced with severe hardship. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Appreciation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appreciation/) [Appreciation Beautiful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appreciation-beautiful-6094003/) [Ask Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ask-heaven-1007078/) [Blessings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blessings/) [Exceeded Sorrows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exceeded-sorrows-6094004/) [Gratitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gratitude/) [Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) ## Related quotes > [Never undertake anything unless you have the heart to ask Heaven's blessing on your undertaking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/never-undertake-anything-unless-you-have-the-heart-to-ask-heaven-s/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [I cannot ask of heaven success, even for my country, in a cause where she should be in the wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/i-cannot-ask-of-heaven-success-even-for-my-country-in-a-cause-where-2/) [John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/) > [When we ask for heaven, we are asking for stasis. A form of comfort that will last for eternity. Yes, that is what we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruben-papian/when-we-ask-for-heaven-we-are-asking-for-stasis-a-form-of-comfort-2/) [Ruben Papian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruben-papian/) > [Ask, heaven, heaven, is there room for me? Cause I believe, that's where you'll be. Waiting for me, at the end of a stairway…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chico-debarge/ask-heaven-heaven-is-there-room-for-me-cause-i-believe-that-s-where/) [Chico DeBarge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chico-debarge/) > [“I cannot ask of heaven success, even for my country, in a cause where she should be in the wrong. My toast would be,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-kaplan/i-cannot-ask-of-heaven-success-even-for-my-country-in-a-cause-where/) [Fred Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-kaplan/) > [ “\[We seem to ask\] 'Can I go to heaven without truly and faithfully loving Jesus?” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/we-seem-to-ask-can-i-go-to-heaven-without-truly-and-faithfully-loving/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Be careful what you ask of Heaven; it might be granted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabel-allende/be-careful-what-you-ask-of-heaven-it-might-be-granted/) [Isabel Allende](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabel-allende/) > [Someone has said it is better to appreciate the things you don't own than to own things you don't appreciate. I hope we will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/someone-has-said-it-is-better-to-appreciate-the-things-you-don-t-own/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [“The problem that we have with a victim mentality is that we forget to see the blessings of the day. Because of this, our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/the-problem-that-we-have-with-a-victim-mentality-is-that-we-forget-to/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [There are those who criticize everything. There are those who appreciate everything because no matter what, they are able to recognize the blessings of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/there-are-those-who-criticize-everything-there-are-those-who/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [“My thank-yous always come out rather labored. I often don't give them at all. People do what they're supposed to do and then wait…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-flynn/my-thank-yous-always-come-out-rather-labored-i-often-don-t-give-them/) [Gillian Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-flynn/) > [Appreciation is the purest vibration that exists on the planet today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-hicks/appreciation-is-the-purest-vibration-that-exists-on-the-planet-today/) [Esther Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-hicks/) > [Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/wine-is-one-of-the-most-civilized-things-in-the-world-and-one-of-the/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Marie Corelli > [Love clamors far more incessantly and passionately at a closed gate than an open one!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-corelli/love-clamors-far-more-incessantly-and-passionately-at-a-closed-gate/) [Marie Corelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-corelli/) > [“There, the sublime, unreachable mysteries of the Universe are haggled over by poor finite minds who cannot call their lives their own. There, nation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-corelli/there-the-sublime-unreachable-mysteries-of-the-universe-are-haggled/) [Marie Corelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-corelli/) > [I must not say what I truly think, or you will tell me I flatter you-but I can only speak what I feel-and very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-corelli/i-must-not-say-what-i-truly-think-or-you-will-tell-me-i-flatter-you/) [Marie Corelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-corelli/) > [No one is contented in this world, I believe. There is always something left to desire, and the last thing longed for always seems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-corelli/no-one-is-contented-in-this-world-i-believe-there-is-always-something/) [Marie Corelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-corelli/) > [“What do I mean, you ask, by accepting everything as it comes, and trying to find out the reason of its coming? Why, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-corelli/what-do-i-mean-you-ask-by-accepting-everything-as-it-comes-and-trying/) [Marie Corelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-corelli/) > [You should always be well and bright, for so you do your best work; and you have so much beautiful work to do. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-corelli/you-should-always-be-well-and-bright-for-so-you-do-your-best-work-and/) [Marie Corelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-corelli/) > [Education! Is it education to teach the young that their chances of happiness depend on being richer than their neighbors? Yet that is what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-corelli/education-is-it-education-to-teach-the-young-that-their-chances-of/) [Marie Corelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-corelli/) > [Imagination is the supreme endowment of the poet and romanticist. It is a kind of second sight, which conveys the owner of it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-corelli/imagination-is-the-supreme-endowment-of-the-poet-and-romanticist-it/) [Marie Corelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-corelli/) > [Fancy your having no sunshine in London yesterday! Here it was glorious, like full summer, and I sat up with the window wide open,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-corelli/fancy-your-having-no-sunshine-in-london-yesterday-here-it-was/) [Marie Corelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-corelli/) > [There is nothing so depressing as a constant contemplation of one's self, and the greatest moral cowardice in the world's opinion comes from consulting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-corelli/there-is-nothing-so-depressing-as-a-constant-contemplation-of-one-s/) [Marie Corelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-corelli/) > [work is happiness. No one can take my work from me and therefore no one can take my happiness from me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-corelli/work-is-happiness-no-one-can-take-my-work-from-me-and-therefore-no/) [Marie Corelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-corelli/) > [“The finest actor is he who play the comedy of life perfectly, as i aspire to do. To walk well, talk well, weep well,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-corelli/the-finest-actor-is-he-who-play-the-comedy-of-life-perfectly-as-i/) [Marie Corelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-corelli/) > [Nothing is so deceptive as human reasoning, - nothing so slippery and reversible as what we have decided to call 'logic.' The truest compass…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-corelli/nothing-is-so-deceptive-as-human-reasoning-nothing-so-slippery-and/) [Marie Corelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-corelli/) > [“So you are tired of your life, young man! All the more reason have you to live. Anyone can die. A murderer has moral…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-corelli/so-you-are-tired-of-your-life-young-man-all-the-more-reason-have-you/) [Marie Corelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-corelli/) > [There is no Death,/What seems so is transition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-corelli/there-is-no-death-what-seems-so-is-transition/) [Marie Corelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-corelli/) [Explore all 90 Marie Corelli quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-corelli/) ## More Appreciation quotes > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Time can but make her beauty over again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-butler-yeats/time-can-but-make-her-beauty-over-again/) [William Butler Yeats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-butler-yeats/) > [The writings of latter-day prophets clearly teach that the sorrows and sufferings endured by Adam and Eve upon their leaving the Garden of Eden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-k-judd/the-writings-of-latter-day-prophets-clearly-teach-that-the-sorrows/) [Daniel K Judd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-k-judd/) > [Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/wine-is-one-of-the-most-civilized-things-in-the-world-and-one-of-the/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [A very small percentage of the people in this world will actually experience and live today. So many people will be stuck on another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/a-very-small-percentage-of-the-people-in-this-world-will-actually/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [Stop chasing the things you want and embrace all that you already have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/stop-chasing-the-things-you-want-and-embrace-all-that-you-already-have/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Appreciation is the purest vibration that exists on the planet today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-hicks/appreciation-is-the-purest-vibration-that-exists-on-the-planet-today/) [Esther Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-hicks/) > [“My thank-yous always come out rather labored. I often don't give them at all. People do what they're supposed to do and then wait…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-flynn/my-thank-yous-always-come-out-rather-labored-i-often-don-t-give-them/) [Gillian Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-flynn/) > [“Like gratitude, authentic appreciation in the workplace is a realisation that can be nurtured and accessed with daily mindful practice. By and large, people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-dines/like-gratitude-authentic-appreciation-in-the-workplace-is-a/) [Christopher Dines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-dines/) > [Think of your mind, your emotions, and your spirit as the ultimate garden. The way to ensure a bountiful, nourishing harvest is to plant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/think-of-your-mind-your-emotions-and-your-spirit-as-the-ultimate/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [“Recognize and appreciate little things, and enjoy what Life has to offer”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-nikko-caharian-iii/recognize-and-appreciate-little-things-and-enjoy-what-life-has-to/) [Cesar Nikko Caharian III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-nikko-caharian-iii/) > [Men, when it comes to women, value diamonds and put no stock into copper. Diamonds are rare. You can find copper anywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enhance-dreams/men-when-it-comes-to-women-value-diamonds-and-put-no-stock-into/) [Enhance Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enhance-dreams/) > [“Everything we perceive to be solid and static is made up of almost entirely empty space.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-p-kauffman/everything-we-perceive-to-be-solid-and-static-is-made-up-of-almost/) [Joseph P. Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-p-kauffman/) > [Be very slow to believe that you are wiser than all others; it is a fatal but common error. Where one has been saved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/be-very-slow-to-believe-that-you-are-wiser-than-all-others-it-is-a/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) [Browse all 2,528 Appreciation quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appreciation/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Suddenly the idea struck me that surely it was selfish to ask Heaven for anything; would it not be better to reflect on all that had already been given to me, and to offer up thanks? Scarcely had this thought entered my mind when a sort of overwhelming sense of unworthiness came over me. Had I ever been unhappy? I wondered. If so, why? I began to count up my blessings and compare them with my misfortunes. Exhausted pleasure-seekers may be surprised to hear that I proved the joys of my life to have far exceeded my sorrows. 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