--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sometimes I imagine life itself as merely…" description: "\"“Sometimes I imagine life itself as merely a long preparation and waiting, a long darkness of growth toward these adventures of the spirit, a picaresqu..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0e/may-sarton-897_adventure_sometimes-i-imagine-life-itself-as-merel_1364942.jpg" --- # Sometimes I imagine life itself as merely a long… ![“Sometimes I imagine life itself as merely a long preparation and waiting, a long darkness of growth toward these adventures of the spirit, a picaresque novel, so to speak, in which the episodes are all inward.” quote by May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0e/may-sarton-897_adventure_sometimes-i-imagine-life-itself-as-merel_1364942.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0e/may-sarton-897_adventure_sometimes-i-imagine-life-itself-as-merel_1364942.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0e/may-sarton-897_adventure_sometimes-i-imagine-life-itself-as-merel_1364942.jpg) > ““Sometimes I imagine life itself as merely a long preparation and waiting, a long darkness of growth toward these adventures of the spirit, a picaresque novel, so to speak, in which the episodes are all inward.”” [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Life is portrayed as a prolonged period of inner preparation, darkness that precedes spiritual adventure, like a novel where each episode is internal. **In simple terms:** Life is a long inner preparation for spiritual adventure. Key Takeaway Embrace inner growth before seeking external outcomes. Themes self‑development spirituality patience inner journey Mood contemplative hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal reflection - creative writing - spiritual practice - therapy - education Key Concepts existentialism psychology literary metaphor Questions to Reflect On - How can you recognize internal growth amid external challenges? - What does “darkness of growth” mean to you? A Different Perspective The metaphor may overlook external circumstances that shape growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adventure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adventure/) [Darkness Growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness-growth-4682607/) [Episodes Inward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/episodes-inward-4682605/) [Imagine Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagine-life/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life itself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-itself/) [Picaresque Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/picaresque-novel-3186891/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Spirit Picaresque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit-picaresque-4682606/) ## Related quotes > [“Things like this don't happen all that often in one lifetime. This is the magnificent world of a picaresque novel. Just brace yourself and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/things-like-this-don-t-happen-all-that-often-in-one-lifetime-this-is/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [I can't imagine life without you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiara-leigh/i-can-t-imagine-life-without-you/) [Kiara Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiara-leigh/) > [I couldn't imagine life without Radio 4.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fiona-bruce/i-couldn-t-imagine-life-without-radio-4/) [Fiona Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fiona-bruce/) > [I can't Imagine How Life would be without You… YOU make the World... You mean the world to me, I can't Live without you...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anwar-saicha/i-can-t-imagine-how-life-would-be-without-you-you-make-the-world-you/) [Anwar Saicha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anwar-saicha/) > [It’s hard for me to imagine a life without playing cricket because it’s all I have ever done since I was 11 years old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sachin-tendulkar/it-s-hard-for-me-to-imagine-a-life-without-playing-cricket-because-it/) [Sachin Tendulkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sachin-tendulkar/) > [Never fail to appreciate GOD in every single day of your life, imagine life without him our road would be dim.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/analiza-garcia/never-fail-to-appreciate-god-in-every-single-day-of-your-life-imagine/) [Analiza Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/analiza-garcia/) > [It's often hard for us to imagine going without some of our luxuries like travel, dining out, or Internet, much less our basic necessities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/it-s-often-hard-for-us-to-imagine-going-without-some-of-our-luxuries/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [I can't imagine my life without my mom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-can-t-imagine-my-life-without-my-mom/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can't imagine life without your touch, And every kiss that you give, You fill me up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-bieber/i-can-t-imagine-life-without-your-touch-and-every-kiss-that-you-give/) [Justin Bieber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-bieber/) > [You said there was nothing in the world you wanted" The Queen's eyes glittered. "When you imagine your life without him, do you still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/you-said-there-was-nothing-in-the-world-you-wanted-the-queen-s-eyes/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [I couldnt imagine my life being any more successful than it is now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/treat-williams/i-couldnt-imagine-my-life-being-any-more-successful-than-it-is-now/) [Treat Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/treat-williams/) > [I cannot imagine my life without horses. They have been my teachers, my friends, my business partners and my entertainment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monty-roberts/i-cannot-imagine-my-life-without-horses-they-have-been-my-teachers-my/) [Monty Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monty-roberts/) > [It's kind of funny...the moments on which life hinges. I think growing up you always imagine your life--your success--depends on your family and how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marisha-pessl/it-s-kind-of-funny-the-moments-on-which-life-hinges-i-think-growing/) [Marisha Pessl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marisha-pessl/) > [You've got to have fun in life. Otherwise, wow - imagine life without fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prince-harry/you-ve-got-to-have-fun-in-life-otherwise-wow-imagine-life-without-fun/) [Prince Harry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prince-harry/) > [I've played a mother before, but it's always been a very young child, which is closer to what I can imagine my own life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-riseborough/i-ve-played-a-mother-before-but-it-s-always-been-a-very-young-child/) [Andrea Riseborough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-riseborough/) ## More by May Sarton > [“I felt pain like an assault, The old pain again When the world thrusts itself inside, When we have to take in the outside,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/i-felt-pain-like-an-assault-the-old-pain-again-when-the-world-thrusts/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [Most people have to talk so they won't hear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/most-people-have-to-talk-so-they-won-t-hear/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [People who cannot feel punish those who do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/people-who-cannot-feel-punish-those-who-do/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [This suspension of one's own reality, this being entirely alone in a strange city (at times I wondered if I had lost the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/this-suspension-of-one-s-own-reality-this-being-entirely-alone-in-a/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [One must think like a hero to behave like a merely decent human being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/one-must-think-like-a-hero-to-behave-like-a-merely-decent-human-being/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [Real joy is becoming exceedingly rare among artists of any kind. And I have an idea that those who can and do communicate it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/real-joy-is-becoming-exceedingly-rare-among-artists-of-any-kind-and-i/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [For to be desperate is to discover strength. / We die of comfort and by conflict live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/for-to-be-desperate-is-to-discover-strength-we-die-of-comfort-and-by/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [“I see you with that shell Held to your sensitive abstracted ear, Hunting the ocean’s rumor till you hear it well, Until you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/i-see-you-with-that-shell-held-to-your-sensitive-abstracted-ear/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [There is a wilder solitude in winter When every sense is pricked alive and keen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/there-is-a-wilder-solitude-in-winter-when-every-sense-is-pricked/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [I long for the bulbs to arrive, for the early autumn chores are melancholy, but the planting of bulbs is the work of hope…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/i-long-for-the-bulbs-to-arrive-for-the-early-autumn-chores-are/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [Why is it that people who cannot show feeling presume that that is a strength and not a weakness?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/why-is-it-that-people-who-cannot-show-feeling-presume-that-that-is-a/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [Innocence is not pure so much as pleased, Always expectant, bright-eyed, self-enclosed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/innocence-is-not-pure-so-much-as-pleased-always-expectant-bright-eyed/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [I have written every poem, every novel, for the same purpose-to find out what I think, to know where I stand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/i-have-written-every-poem-every-novel-for-the-same-purpose-to-find/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [For art is order, but it is born out of the chaos of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/for-art-is-order-but-it-is-born-out-of-the-chaos-of-life/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [all great people are humble because great people have great work and are humbled by the largeness of their dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/all-great-people-are-humble-because-great-people-have-great-work-and/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) [Explore all 336 May Sarton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) ## More Adventure quotes > [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/) [Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/) > [I painted the words "GREAT ADVENTURE" in Beijing, Dallas, San Francisco, Copenhagen, and Japan. What it means to me is completely different to everybody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-eine/i-painted-the-words-great-adventure-in-beijing-dallas-san-francisco/) [Ben Eine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-eine/) > [I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-replicate-what-the-body-s-going/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [I have lifted my plane . . . for perhaps a thousand flights and I have never felt her wheels glide from the Earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beryl-markham/i-have-lifted-my-plane-for-perhaps-a-thousand-flights-and-i-have/) [Beryl Markham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beryl-markham/) > [I am attracted to looking at the different things language can mean even in one sometimes quite ordinary utterance. Writing is partly about listening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rae-armantrout/i-am-attracted-to-looking-at-the-different-things-language-can-mean/) [Rae Armantrout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rae-armantrout/) > [What a thrill. You know you've entered new territory when you realise that your outfit cost more than your film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-yu/what-a-thrill-you-know-you-ve-entered-new-territory-when-you-realise/) [Jessica Yu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-yu/) > [“So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned by a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-supertramp-chris-mccandless/so-many-people-live-within-unhappy-circumstances-and-yet-will-not/) [Alexander Supertramp Chris McCandless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-supertramp-chris-mccandless/) > [A common fallacy in much of the adverse criticism to which science is subjected today is that it claims certainty, infallibility and complete emotional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyril-norman-hinshelwood/a-common-fallacy-in-much-of-the-adverse-criticism-to-which-science-is/) [Cyril Norman Hinshelwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyril-norman-hinshelwood/) > [“Exactly. I think the original tantric Buddhists took notice of was some very wise old people who never studied in their youth, but took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-niemczura/exactly-i-think-the-original-tantric-buddhists-took-notice-of-was/) [Joe Niemczura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-niemczura/) > [As an adventurer...I try to protect against the downside. I make sure I have covered as many eventualities as I can. In the end,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/as-an-adventurer-i-try-to-protect-against-the-downside-i-make-sure-i/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [“Love can give you such happiness, then can break the very heart it filled, leaving a hole that can never be fixed or protected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-mcleod/love-can-give-you-such-happiness-then-can-break-the-very-heart-it/) [Kevin McLeod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-mcleod/) > [“It always gave Wolf a peculiar thrill thus to tighten his grip upon his stick, thus to wrap himself more closely in his faded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cowper-powys/it-always-gave-wolf-a-peculiar-thrill-thus-to-tighten-his-grip-upon/) [John Cowper Powys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cowper-powys/) > [“It all had to be squeezed and squeezed again, to provide a thrill, to provide enjoyment. What did people mean, with their simply determined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-h-lawrence-2/it-all-had-to-be-squeezed-and-squeezed-again-to-provide-a-thrill-to/) [D.H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence-2/) > [I am not an adventurous person but I am gutsy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahul-vaidya/i-am-not-an-adventurous-person-but-i-am-gutsy/) [Rahul Vaidya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahul-vaidya/) > [Our civilization, bequeathed to us by fierce adventurers, eaters of meat and hunters, is so full of hurry and combat, so busy about many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/our-civilization-bequeathed-to-us-by-fierce-adventurers-eaters-of/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) [Browse all 7,690 Adventure quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adventure/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Sometimes I imagine life itself as merely a long preparation and waiting, a long darkness of growth toward these adventures of the spirit, a picaresque novel, so to speak, in which the episodes are all inward.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "May Sarton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/sometimes-i-imagine-life-itself-as-merely-a-long-preparation-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Adventure" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/sometimes-i-imagine-life-itself-as-merely-a-long-preparation-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0e/may-sarton-897_adventure_sometimes-i-imagine-life-itself-as-merel_1364942.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0e/may-sarton-897_adventure_sometimes-i-imagine-life-itself-as-merel_1364942.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0e/may-sarton-897_adventure_sometimes-i-imagine-life-itself-as-merel_1364942.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Sometimes I imagine life itself as merely a long preparation and waiting, a long darkness of growth toward…” — May Sarton", "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": "May Sarton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Sometimes I imagine life itself as...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/sometimes-i-imagine-life-itself-as-merely-a-long-preparation-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/sometimes-i-imagine-life-itself-as-merely-a-long-preparation-and/#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 } } ] } ```