--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I did not want to be a tree, a flower or…" description: "\"I did not want to be a tree, a flower or a wave. In a dancer's body, we as audience must see ourselves, not the imitated behavior of everyday actions, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2a/martha-graham-2832_action_i-did-not-want-to-be-a-tree-a-flower-or_1851597.jpg" --- # I did not want to be a tree, a flower or a wave. In a… ![“I did not want to be a tree, a flower or a wave. In a dancer's body, we as audience must see ourselves, not the imitated behavior of everyday actions, not the phenomenon of nature, not exotic creatures from another planet, but something of a miracle.” quote by Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2a/martha-graham-2832_action_i-did-not-want-to-be-a-tree-a-flower-or_1851597.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2a/martha-graham-2832_action_i-did-not-want-to-be-a-tree-a-flower-or_1851597.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2a/martha-graham-2832_action_i-did-not-want-to-be-a-tree-a-flower-or_1851597.jpg) > “I did not want to be a tree, a flower or a wave. In a dancer's body, we as audience must see ourselves, not the imitated behavior of everyday actions, not the phenomenon of nature, not exotic creatures from another planet, but something of a miracle.” [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Artistic expression should transcend imitation of nature, revealing a miraculous inner truth through movement. **In simple terms:** Dance should reveal inner miracles, not just copy nature. Key Takeaway Create authentic, transformative movement. Themes art creativity authenticity miracle expression Mood reflective inspirational Type artistic philosophical When to use this quote - theatre - personal growth - spiritual practice - educational workshops Key Concepts performance embodiment philosophy Questions to Reflect On - What inner truth does your movement convey? - How can you avoid mere imitation in art? A Different Perspective Audience may misinterpret abstract expression as mere spectacle. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) [Dancer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dancer/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Miracles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miracles/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) ## Related quotes > [I did not want to be a tree, a flower or a wave. In a dancer's body, we as audience must see ourselves, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/i-did-not-want-to-be-a-tree-a-flower-or-a-wave-in-a-dancer-s-body-we-2/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [I focus on having a feminine body, a dancer's body. I do resistance and dance and cardio. I like hiking, swimming, being active. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-greene/i-focus-on-having-a-feminine-body-a-dancer-s-body-i-do-resistance-and/) [Ashley Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-greene/) > [When you are a dancer your body speaks, my body can express itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shakti-mohan/when-you-are-a-dancer-your-body-speaks-my-body-can-express-itself/) [Shakti Mohan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shakti-mohan/) > [The dancer's body is simply the luminous manifestation of her soul...This is the truly creative dancer, natural but not imitative, speaking in movement out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isadora-duncan/the-dancer-s-body-is-simply-the-luminous-manifestation-of-her-soul/) [Isadora Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isadora-duncan/) > [“Science and Truth are simple phenomenon of nature, but it is the known that is preventing us from mastering the unknown.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chandrakanth-natekar/science-and-truth-are-simple-phenomenon-of-nature-but-it-is-the-known/) Chandrakanth Natekar > [The rainbow is such a remarkable phenomenon of nature, and its cause has been so meticulously sought after by inquiring minds throughout the ages,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-descartes/the-rainbow-is-such-a-remarkable-phenomenon-of-nature-and-its-cause/) [Rene Descartes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-descartes/) > [All the arts are based on the presence of man, only photography derives an advantage from his absence. Photography affects us like a phenomenon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-bazin/all-the-arts-are-based-on-the-presence-of-man-only-photography/) [Andre Bazin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-bazin/) > [What I am really saying is that you don’t need to do anything, because if you see yourself in the correct way, you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-watts/what-i-am-really-saying-is-that-you-don-t-need-to-do-anything-because/) [Alan Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-watts/) > [Every phenomenon of nature was a word, - the sign, symbol and pledge of a new, mysterious, inexpressible but all the more intimate union,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-georg-hamann/every-phenomenon-of-nature-was-a-word-the-sign-symbol-and-pledge-of-a/) [Johann Georg Hamann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-georg-hamann/) > [Perhaps an individual must consider his own death to be the final phenomenon of nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-crane/perhaps-an-individual-must-consider-his-own-death-to-be-the-final/) [Stephen Crane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-crane/) > [We should always keep an open mind about any new phenomenon in nature. To merely say that's impossible, therefore it doesn't exist, is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-stein/we-should-always-keep-an-open-mind-about-any-new-phenomenon-in-nature/) [Gordon Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-stein/) > [The dancer's body is simply the luminous manifestation of the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isadora-duncan/the-dancer-s-body-is-simply-the-luminous-manifestation-of-the-soul/) [Isadora Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isadora-duncan/) > [I heard a lot in school, 'You've got a really great talent, but there's no way you're going to be a dancer with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-anderson/i-heard-a-lot-in-school-you-ve-got-a-really-great-talent-but-there-s/) [Tracy Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-anderson/) > [If you want a dancer's body, dance. Dance aerobics is my favourite cardio. It's very frustrating if people think you have to become a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-anderson/if-you-want-a-dancer-s-body-dance-dance-aerobics-is-my-favourite/) [Tracy Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-anderson/) > [My problem is: as a singer and a dancer, if I get it in my body one way, it is harder for me to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-lawrence/my-problem-is-as-a-singer-and-a-dancer-if-i-get-it-in-my-body-one-way/) [Sharon Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-lawrence/) ## More by Martha Graham > [The body never lies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/the-body-never-lies/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [You have no right to go before a public without an adequate technique, just because you feel. Anything feels - a leaf feels, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/you-have-no-right-to-go-before-a-public-without-an-adequate-technique/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/there-is-a-vitality-a-life-force-an-energy-a-quickening-that-is/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [Misery is a communicable disease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/misery-is-a-communicable-disease/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [People have asked me why I chose to be a dancer. I did not choose. I was chosen to be a dancer, and with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/people-have-asked-me-why-i-chose-to-be-a-dancer-i-did-not-choose-i/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [All things I do are in every woman. Every woman is Medea. Every woman is Jocasta. There comes a time when a woman is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/all-things-i-do-are-in-every-woman-every-woman-is-medea-every-woman/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [The body is shaped, disciplined, honored, and in time, trusted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/the-body-is-shaped-disciplined-honored-and-in-time-trusted/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [The secret to dancing is that it is about everything except dancing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/the-secret-to-dancing-is-that-it-is-about-everything-except-dancing/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [What makes a great dancer is not technique. What makes a great dancer is passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/what-makes-a-great-dancer-is-not-technique-what-makes-a-great-dancer/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [The body is a sacred garment. It's your first and last garment; it is what you enter life in and what you depart life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/the-body-is-a-sacred-garment-it-s-your-first-and-last-garment-it-is/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [You are unique, and if that is not fulfilled, then something has been lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/you-are-unique-and-if-that-is-not-fulfilled-then-something-has-been/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [You see, when weaving a blanket, an Indian woman leaves a flaw in the weaving of that blanket to let the soul out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/you-see-when-weaving-a-blanket-an-indian-woman-leaves-a-flaw-in-the/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [Dancing is just discovery, discovery, discovery - what it all means, the way the little bone near the ankle relates itself to the floor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/dancing-is-just-discovery-discovery-discovery-what-it-all-means-the/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [Theater used to be a verb; it used to be an act. But nowadays it is just a noun. It is a place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/theater-used-to-be-a-verb-it-used-to-be-an-act-but-nowadays-it-is/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [There is a force, a quickness that is translated through you into action. If you block it, the world will not have it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/there-is-a-force-a-quickness-that-is-translated-through-you-into/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) [Explore all 148 Martha Graham quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [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/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/) [Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/) [Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) [Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I did not want to be a tree, a flower or a wave. In a dancer's body, we as audience must see ourselves, not the imitated behavior of everyday actions, not the phenomenon of nature, not exotic creatures from another planet, but something of a miracle.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Martha Graham" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/i-did-not-want-to-be-a-tree-a-flower-or-a-wave-in-a-dancer-s-body-we/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Action" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/i-did-not-want-to-be-a-tree-a-flower-or-a-wave-in-a-dancer-s-body-we/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2a/martha-graham-2832_action_i-did-not-want-to-be-a-tree-a-flower-or_1851597.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2a/martha-graham-2832_action_i-did-not-want-to-be-a-tree-a-flower-or_1851597.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2a/martha-graham-2832_action_i-did-not-want-to-be-a-tree-a-flower-or_1851597.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I did not want to be a tree, a flower or a wave. In a dancer's body, we as audience must see ourselves, not…” — Martha Graham", "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": "Martha Graham", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I did not want to be...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/i-did-not-want-to-be-a-tree-a-flower-or-a-wave-in-a-dancer-s-body-we/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/i-did-not-want-to-be-a-tree-a-flower-or-a-wave-in-a-dancer-s-body-we/#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 } } ] } ```