--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: By coming forward and sharing your story…" description: "\"By coming forward and sharing your story, you don't know the countless lives you change.\" — Mariska Hargitay" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7a/mariska-hargitay-5252_change_by-coming-forward-and-sharing-your-story_2758721.jpg" --- # By coming forward and sharing your story, you don't know… ![“By coming forward and sharing your story, you don't know the countless lives you change.” quote by Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7a/mariska-hargitay-5252_change_by-coming-forward-and-sharing-your-story_2758721.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7a/mariska-hargitay-5252_change_by-coming-forward-and-sharing-your-story_2758721.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7a/mariska-hargitay-5252_change_by-coming-forward-and-sharing-your-story_2758721.jpg) > “By coming forward and sharing your story, you don't know the countless lives you change.” [Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Sharing personal stories can unknowingly change many lives. **In simple terms:** Storytelling impacts others. Key Takeaway Share your story openly. Themes storytelling impact vulnerability Mood empathetic encouraging Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - public speaking - community outreach Key Concepts advocacy mental health Questions to Reflect On - What story could you share? - How might it affect others? A Different Perspective Not everyone will respond positively. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Coming Forward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coming-forward-1385491/) [Countless Lives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/countless-lives-465905/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Lives Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lives-change-286987/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Sharing Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sharing-story-833778/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) ## Related quotes > [“Keep him coming forward but never let him think that you come forward yourself. He wants to feel that he is pursuing you, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippa-gregory/keep-him-coming-forward-but-never-let-him-think-that-you-come-forward/) [Philippa Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippa-gregory/) > [By not coming forward, you make yourself a victim forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-mcgillis/by-not-coming-forward-you-make-yourself-a-victim-forever/) [Kelly McGillis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-mcgillis/) > [The biggest part of what Anita Hill did was take away the stigma of coming forward, and it took a lot for her to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-famuyiwa/the-biggest-part-of-what-anita-hill-did-was-take-away-the-stigma-of/) [Rick Famuyiwa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-famuyiwa/) > [In his brief 21 years on this earth, Michael Smith Jr. touched countless lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-dewine/in-his-brief-21-years-on-this-earth-michael-smith-jr-touched/) [Mike DeWine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-dewine/) > [Public health research has saved countless lives in the past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leana-s-wen/public-health-research-has-saved-countless-lives-in-the-past/) [Leana S. Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leana-s-wen/) > [The world is better because of Coretta Scott King. She affected countless lives and her voice will be deeply missed, especially by those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alcee-hastings/the-world-is-better-because-of-coretta-scott-king-she-affected/) [Alcee Hastings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alcee-hastings/) > [For every shrill and violent voice that throws itself in front of microphones and cameras in the name of God, there are countless lives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krista-tippett/for-every-shrill-and-violent-voice-that-throws-itself-in-front-of/) [Krista Tippett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krista-tippett/) > [You may have had countless lives, and many more stretching before you, and what else have you got to do with your time?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/you-may-have-had-countless-lives-and-many-more-stretching-before-you/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [This is not going away. At this point of unimaginable threats on the horizon, this is what hope looks like. In these times of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-dechristopher/this-is-not-going-away-at-this-point-of-unimaginable-threats-on-the/) [Tim DeChristopher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-dechristopher/) > [I could not be more proud of the countless lives that I have changed since I began my coaching and mentoring career!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-pena/i-could-not-be-more-proud-of-the-countless-lives-that-i-have-changed/) [Dan Pena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-pena/) > [If you know that you have had countless lives, then what happens in this life is not quite as traumatic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-know-that-you-have-had-countless-lives-then-what-happens-in/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“I hope that by sharing my story, I inspire others to stand for what they believe in and know that their voice matters, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominique-moceanu/i-hope-that-by-sharing-my-story-i-inspire-others-to-stand-for-what/) [Dominique Moceanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominique-moceanu/) > [One of the things we've always tried to do is help others with our story. Whether it's with the infertility issues, whether it's with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-rancic/one-of-the-things-we-ve-always-tried-to-do-is-help-others-with-our/) [Bill Rancic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-rancic/) > [When I come to schools like Norton Primary Academy and meet children who have their lives and careers before them, I hope in some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steph-mcgovern/when-i-come-to-schools-like-norton-primary-academy-and-meet-children/) [Steph McGovern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steph-mcgovern/) > [It's just incredible to be working alongside with the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation, sharing the story of his life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-gardot/it-s-just-incredible-to-be-working-alongside-with-the-emmett-till/) [Melody Gardot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-gardot/) ## More by Mariska Hargitay > [You survived the abuse, you’re going to survive the recovery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/you-survived-the-abuse-you-re-going-to-survive-the-recovery/) [Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/) > [I think God runs the show. Completely. Life proves it every day: He runs the show](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/i-think-god-runs-the-show-completely-life-proves-it-every-day-he-runs/) [Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/) > [It's very difficult leaving the house anytime with my baby at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/it-s-very-difficult-leaving-the-house-anytime-with-my-baby-at-home/) [Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/) > [Sexual assault and domestic violence are difficult things to talk about. Talk about them anyway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/sexual-assault-and-domestic-violence-are-difficult-things-to-talk/) [Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/) > [Humor is about perspective, and hanging out with people who see life through a similar lens is so important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/humor-is-about-perspective-and-hanging-out-with-people-who-see-life/) [Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/) > [I have a more developed sense of my priorities. Life has so much more meaning now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/i-have-a-more-developed-sense-of-my-priorities-life-has-so-much-more/) [Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/) > [I have a nest egg, and I don't buy above my means.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/i-have-a-nest-egg-and-i-don-t-buy-above-my-means/) [Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/) > [Being fearless means busting down those walls of fear and being who you are, not who someone else thinks you are. People like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/being-fearless-means-busting-down-those-walls-of-fear-and-being-who/) [Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/) > [In life you have two choices. You can laugh or you can cry. You have to laugh, you have to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/in-life-you-have-two-choices-you-can-laugh-or-you-can-cry-you-have-to/) [Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/) > [Golf made me feel like a loser. So I dismissed it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/golf-made-me-feel-like-a-loser-so-i-dismissed-it/) [Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/) > [Fifty years ago my Mother stood on this stage accepting this award; She was fortunate enough to have my Dad with her. Fifty years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/fifty-years-ago-my-mother-stood-on-this-stage-accepting-this-award/) [Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/) > [If I can play a little part in the world's healing, and making it a better place than when I came, then I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/if-i-can-play-a-little-part-in-the-world-s-healing-and-making-it-a/) [Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/) > [I think one of the mistakes actors make is we're so focused on what we're going to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/i-think-one-of-the-mistakes-actors-make-is-we-re-so-focused-on-what/) [Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/) > [You should've seen my big hair in the 80's, that was a real project.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/you-should-ve-seen-my-big-hair-in-the-80-s-that-was-a-real-project/) [Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/) > [There's so much that you can get mad about. Out of self-preservation, I focus on being grateful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/there-s-so-much-that-you-can-get-mad-about-out-of-self-preservation-i/) [Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/) [Explore all 102 Mariska Hargitay quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/) ## More Change quotes > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [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/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) [Phil Hogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-hogan/) > [Nobody can tell me that no changes are necessary in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-weld/nobody-can-tell-me-that-no-changes-are-necessary-in-washington/) [William Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-weld/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [When you walk down the street of Kabul your values for life changes, they do change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/when-you-walk-down-the-street-of-kabul-your-values-for-life-changes/) [Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/) > [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Irish research will contribute to global progress and have the potential to help all countries realise the potential of their land sectors in addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enda-kenny/irish-research-will-contribute-to-global-progress-and-have-the/) [Enda Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enda-kenny/) > [No man can change himself into anything from sheer reason; he can only change into what he potentially is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/no-man-can-change-himself-into-anything-from-sheer-reason-he-can-only/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 33,920 Change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "By coming forward and sharing your story, you don't know the countless lives you change.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mariska Hargitay" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/by-coming-forward-and-sharing-your-story-you-don-t-know-the-countless/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Change" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/by-coming-forward-and-sharing-your-story-you-don-t-know-the-countless/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7a/mariska-hargitay-5252_change_by-coming-forward-and-sharing-your-story_2758721.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7a/mariska-hargitay-5252_change_by-coming-forward-and-sharing-your-story_2758721.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7a/mariska-hargitay-5252_change_by-coming-forward-and-sharing-your-story_2758721.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“By coming forward and sharing your story, you don't know the countless lives you change.” — Mariska Hargitay", "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": "Mariska Hargitay", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "By coming forward and sharing your...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/by-coming-forward-and-sharing-your-story-you-don-t-know-the-countless/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/by-coming-forward-and-sharing-your-story-you-don-t-know-the-countless/#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 } } ] } ```