--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We all have two lives. The one we are…" description: "\"We all have two lives. The one we are given and the one we create.\" — Mary Chapin Carpenter" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be5/mary-chapin-carpenter-9940_create_we-all-have-two-lives-the-one-we-are-giv_3067798.jpg" --- # We all have two lives. The one we are given and the one we… ![“We all have two lives. The one we are given and the one we create.” quote by Mary Chapin Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be5/mary-chapin-carpenter-9940_create_we-all-have-two-lives-the-one-we-are-giv_3067798.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be5/mary-chapin-carpenter-9940_create_we-all-have-two-lives-the-one-we-are-giv_3067798.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be5/mary-chapin-carpenter-9940_create_we-all-have-two-lives-the-one-we-are-giv_3067798.jpg) > “We all have two lives. The one we are given and the one we create.” [Mary Chapin Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-chapin-carpenter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People have a given life and a self‑created life. **In simple terms:** We live a given life and a chosen one. Key Takeaway Balance destiny with personal creation. Themes identity choice existence Mood inspirational thoughtful Type musical philosophical When to use this quote - career - personal growth - creative projects Key Concepts self‑determination philosophy Questions to Reflect On - What does your self‑created life look like? - How do you reconcile the two lives? A Different Perspective Self‑creation can conflict with external expectations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) ## Related quotes > [“We've got two lives -- one we're given and the other one we make.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-chapin-carpenter/we-ve-got-two-lives-one-we-re-given-and-the-other-one-we-make/) [Mary Chapin Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-chapin-carpenter/) > [Virtually every aspect of our commercial lives have been given away to be run by European project over which we had so little say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-farage/virtually-every-aspect-of-our-commercial-lives-have-been-given-away/) [Nigel Farage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-farage/) > [Our lives are given meaning by our actions-accomplishments made while we are "here" that extend beyond our own time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-lin/our-lives-are-given-meaning-by-our-actions-accomplishments-made-while/) [Maya Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-lin/) > [What I don't underestimate is everybody's deal is different and everybody's deal makes it difficult. And so it is incumbent upon employers to create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-brooke/what-i-don-t-underestimate-is-everybody-s-deal-is-different-and/) [Beth Brooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-brooke/) > [The lovely thing about writing is, well, two things. One, writing fiction allows us to bring an order to our lives that doesn't exist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-e-butler/the-lovely-thing-about-writing-is-well-two-things-one-writing-fiction/) [Octavia E. Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-e-butler/) > [Part of the strength that Charlie and I have as a team is we've been able to keep our priorities straight through our entire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meryl-davis/part-of-the-strength-that-charlie-and-i-have-as-a-team-is-we-ve-been/) [Meryl Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meryl-davis/) > [You've got to create the space, then fill it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chick-corea/you-ve-got-to-create-the-space-then-fill-it/) [Chick Corea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chick-corea/) > [I want to create a legacy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jade-cargill/i-want-to-create-a-legacy/) [Jade Cargill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jade-cargill/) > [“I CREATE my OWN DREAMS! I alone have the POWER to DESTROY or FULFILL them”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-dsouza/i-create-my-own-dreams-i-alone-have-the-power-to-destroy-or-fulfill/) [Patricia Dsouza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-dsouza/) > [I love design; to create stuff from ground zero is the best for me. I'm always so intense when I talk about that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grigor-dimitrov/i-love-design-to-create-stuff-from-ground-zero-is-the-best-for-me-i-m/) [Grigor Dimitrov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grigor-dimitrov/) > [If you come in with all of the answers, you might create something that's very beautiful and powerful, but I think it will also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-frost/if-you-come-in-with-all-of-the-answers-you-might-create-something/) [Mark Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-frost/) > [“If you can imagine it, you can create it. If you can dream it, you can become it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/if-you-can-imagine-it-you-can-create-it-if-you-can-dream-it-you-can/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [“If I can create something unique in the world, so can you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scifurz/if-i-can-create-something-unique-in-the-world-so-can-you/) SciFurz > [You don't get lucky. You create lucky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/you-don-t-get-lucky-you-create-lucky/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [It’s so important to create in your own voice, to hold onto what makes you unique, and have faith in your vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/it-s-so-important-to-create-in-your-own-voice-to-hold-onto-what-makes/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) ## More by Mary Chapin Carpenter > [There's two lanes running down this road which ever side your on, accounts for where you want to go or what you're running from.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-chapin-carpenter/there-s-two-lanes-running-down-this-road-which-ever-side-your-on/) [Mary Chapin Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-chapin-carpenter/) > [It's like the code of living by yourself. People who are single know what I'm talking about. You eat standing up, reading the paper.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-chapin-carpenter/it-s-like-the-code-of-living-by-yourself-people-who-are-single-know/) [Mary Chapin Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-chapin-carpenter/) > [20-some years ago, I'd have a big old radio with a tape deck, and I'd hit record and try to get something down on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-chapin-carpenter/20-some-years-ago-i-d-have-a-big-old-radio-with-a-tape-deck-and-i-d/) [Mary Chapin Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-chapin-carpenter/) > [Carry with you maps and string, flashlights, friends who make you sing, and stars to help you find your place, music, hope, and amazing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-chapin-carpenter/carry-with-you-maps-and-string-flashlights-friends-who-make-you-sing/) [Mary Chapin Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-chapin-carpenter/) > [I'm a liberal arts junkie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-chapin-carpenter/i-m-a-liberal-arts-junkie/) [Mary Chapin Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-chapin-carpenter/) > [I take my chances. I can't cling to remorse or regret.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-chapin-carpenter/i-take-my-chances-i-can-t-cling-to-remorse-or-regret/) [Mary Chapin Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-chapin-carpenter/) > [Some people say that you should not tempt fate and for them I cannot disagree, but I never learned anything from playing it safe.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-chapin-carpenter/some-people-say-that-you-should-not-tempt-fate-and-for-them-i-cannot/) [Mary Chapin Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-chapin-carpenter/) > [About age ten, we moved from the place where I was born, moved overseas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-chapin-carpenter/about-age-ten-we-moved-from-the-place-where-i-was-born-moved-overseas/) [Mary Chapin Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-chapin-carpenter/) > [Fool you once, you are forgiven. Fool you twice, you're just a fool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-chapin-carpenter/fool-you-once-you-are-forgiven-fool-you-twice-you-re-just-a-fool/) [Mary Chapin Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-chapin-carpenter/) > [The bedrock thing of country music is, it's about storytelling. I feel like I was able to find a niche because I connected to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-chapin-carpenter/the-bedrock-thing-of-country-music-is-it-s-about-storytelling-i-feel/) [Mary Chapin Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-chapin-carpenter/) > [When I started out, it was this sense of, "Let's put out a record and see what happens and see where you go and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-chapin-carpenter/when-i-started-out-it-was-this-sense-of-let-s-put-out-a-record-and/) [Mary Chapin Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-chapin-carpenter/) > [I've never... when I was having songs on the airwaves, and that sort of thing, I never felt a sense of pressure anywhere except…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-chapin-carpenter/i-ve-never-when-i-was-having-songs-on-the-airwaves-and-that-sort-of/) [Mary Chapin Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-chapin-carpenter/) > [It's a marvelous feeling when someone says I want to do this song of yours because they've connected to it. That's what I'm after.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-chapin-carpenter/it-s-a-marvelous-feeling-when-someone-says-i-want-to-do-this-song-of/) [Mary Chapin Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-chapin-carpenter/) > [I've crossed lines of word and wire and both have cut me deep. I've been frozen out and I've been on fire, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-chapin-carpenter/i-ve-crossed-lines-of-word-and-wire-and-both-have-cut-me-deep-i-ve/) [Mary Chapin Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-chapin-carpenter/) > [As far as politically how country music goes, it's true that it's regarded from a distance as a genre of music that at different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-chapin-carpenter/as-far-as-politically-how-country-music-goes-it-s-true-that-it-s/) [Mary Chapin Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-chapin-carpenter/) [Explore all 69 Mary Chapin Carpenter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-chapin-carpenter/) ## More Create quotes > [As far as Vern and I go, we have had situations where people have tried to take photographs of me and cut Vernon out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-daly/as-far-as-vern-and-i-go-we-have-had-situations-where-people-have/) [Tess Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-daly/) > [It’s so important to create in your own voice, to hold onto what makes you unique, and have faith in your vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/it-s-so-important-to-create-in-your-own-voice-to-hold-onto-what-makes/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [To me, Caribbean food is about fresh, seasonal produce - using what's in season to create vibrant and great tasting food. The spicing is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ainsley-harriott/to-me-caribbean-food-is-about-fresh-seasonal-produce-using-what-s-in/) [Ainsley Harriott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ainsley-harriott/) > [You don't get lucky. You create lucky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/you-don-t-get-lucky-you-create-lucky/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [I'm a weirdo and an only child. That comes together to create one-woman shows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-seales/i-m-a-weirdo-and-an-only-child-that-comes-together-to-create-one/) [Amanda Seales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-seales/) > [I'm proud to stand with U.S. Impact Team in their initiative to create harmony.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-stanton-king/i-m-proud-to-stand-with-u-s-impact-team-in-their-initiative-to-create/) [Angela Stanton-King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-stanton-king/) > [I am not a nationalist in any way, and I hate flag waving, and I don't think much good has come out of nationalism.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stellan-skarsgard/i-am-not-a-nationalist-in-any-way-and-i-hate-flag-waving-and-i-don-t/) [Stellan Skarsgard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stellan-skarsgard/) > [My favourite designers always create a strong silhouette, like McQueen and Tom Ford and Alaia. I like structured things that you can throw on,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liberty-ross/my-favourite-designers-always-create-a-strong-silhouette-like-mcqueen/) [Liberty Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liberty-ross/) > [I'd take garbage, and I'd glue them together and create inventions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-makosinski/i-d-take-garbage-and-i-d-glue-them-together-and-create-inventions/) [Ann Makosinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-makosinski/) > [United Way works to create a safe and healthy home for everyone in our community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steward/united-way-works-to-create-a-safe-and-healthy-home-for-everyone-in/) [David Steward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steward/) > [Renewable energy could reduce emissions but also create jobs and improve public health.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-polman/renewable-energy-could-reduce-emissions-but-also-create-jobs-and/) [Paul Polman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-polman/) > [“If I can create something unique in the world, so can you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scifurz/if-i-can-create-something-unique-in-the-world-so-can-you/) SciFurz > [“If you can imagine it, you can create it. If you can dream it, you can become it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/if-you-can-imagine-it-you-can-create-it-if-you-can-dream-it-you-can/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [For a long time at Blackburn and at Fulham last season, I was playing on the right wing. I've never seen myself as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-cairney/for-a-long-time-at-blackburn-and-at-fulham-last-season-i-was-playing/) [Tom Cairney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-cairney/) > [We've got to get back to a country that can get things done. And my whole career has been marching and charging at and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-booker/we-ve-got-to-get-back-to-a-country-that-can-get-things-done-and-my/) [Cory Booker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-booker/) Browse all 5,654 Create quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We all have two lives. 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