Art deco Quote by Marisa de los Santos
““Pen realized it: Sometimes there is nothing to do but surrender yourself to wonder... You must stop measuring - over and over - the line between loving and being in love. You must offer yourself, whole, to the cobalt starfish (and the orange one and the pale pink one and the biscuit-colored one with the raised, chocolate-brown art deco design) and to the clear, clear water and to the sweep of shining sky and to the silver scattershot of leaping fish (an entire school skipping across the ocean like a stone.)””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Wonder of Surrender, 2018
One must abandon constant measurement and fully immerse oneself in awe, offering the whole self to the vast, beautiful world.
In simple terms: Stop over‑analyzing; give yourself completely to wonder.
Key Takeaway
Practice total surrender to awe.
Themes
wonder
love
mindfulness
Mood
contemplative
introspective
Type
philosophical
poetic
When to use this quote
- nature walks
- meditation
- creative writing
- relationship building
Key Concepts
philosophical surrender
sensory immersion
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance surrender with personal agency?
- What does “the cobalt starfish” symbolize for you?
A Different Perspective
Over‑surrender may blur boundaries or lead to passivity.
![“I look at [Toronto] and think well, perhaps my grandchildren will someday look at this stuff with the sort of appreciation I once held for Art Deco. Although I've come to find Art Deco quite creepy too.” quote by William Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/16e/william-gibson-642_appreciation_i-look-at-toronto-and-think-well-perhaps_1484772.jpg)
