--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: At the same time, Ambrosio had given me a…" description: "\"“At the same time, Ambrosio had given me a brief glimpse of a different, compelling sort of life, a life in which there seemed to be more time for fami..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e6/michael-paterniti-30115_communication_at-the-same-time-ambrosio-had-given-me-a_2943860.jpg" --- # At the same time, Ambrosio had given me a brief glimpse of… ![“At the same time, Ambrosio had given me a brief glimpse of a different, compelling sort of life, a life in which there seemed to be more time for family and conversation, for stories and food, a life I was desperate to lead now as an antidote to my own. It was okay to squander a day, a week, a…” quote by Michael Paterniti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e6/michael-paterniti-30115_communication_at-the-same-time-ambrosio-had-given-me-a_2943860.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e6/michael-paterniti-30115_communication_at-the-same-time-ambrosio-had-given-me-a_2943860.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e6/michael-paterniti-30115_communication_at-the-same-time-ambrosio-had-given-me-a_2943860.jpg) > ““At the same time, Ambrosio had given me a brief glimpse of a different, compelling sort of life, a life in which there seemed to be more time for family and conversation, for stories and food, a life I was desperate to lead now as an antidote to my own. It was okay to squander a day, a week, a year, sitting in that telling room, summoning ghosts, because no one saw it as squandering. No, if you squinted a little bit, maybe what seemed like wasted time was, in fact, true happiness.”” [Michael Paterniti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-paterniti/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A different lifestyle offers more time for family, conversation, and simple pleasures, turning perceived wasted time into genuine happiness. **In simple terms:** A slower life can bring true happiness. Key Takeaway Prioritize meaningful experiences over productivity. Themes family time happiness balance Mood reflective nostalgic Type personal philosophical When to use this quote - career burnout - personal relationships - creative pursuits - life planning Key Concepts mindfulness value of leisure Questions to Reflect On - What does “wasted time” mean to you? - How can you integrate leisure without neglecting duties? A Different Perspective May romanticize idleness, ignoring practical responsibilities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [True happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-happiness/) ## Related quotes > [“Twelve times did the iron register of time beat on the sonorous bell-metal, summoning the ghosts to rise, and walk their nightly round. -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fielding/twelve-times-did-the-iron-register-of-time-beat-on-the-sonorous-bell/) [Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/) > [Evelyn Waugh was in error when he said that in New York there was a neurosis in the air which the inhabitants mistook for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/evelyn-waugh-was-in-error-when-he-said-that-in-new-york-there-was-a/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [“It is easy to mistake the fallowness of winter for wasted time and space. 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But don't worry I will not even try to hate you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-f-b-mora/i-wasted-my-time-on-your-childish-games-but-don-t-worry-i-will-not/) Cynthia F B Mora ## More by Michael Paterniti > [“This again was the curious thing about Ambrosio, his willingness to live fully inside the moment, whatever its virtue or folly, without regard for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-paterniti/this-again-was-the-curious-thing-about-ambrosio-his-willingness-to/) [Michael Paterniti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-paterniti/) > [“We all had our secrets, and maybe the most terrible of them was that we weren't exactly who we thought we were, who we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-paterniti/we-all-had-our-secrets-and-maybe-the-most-terrible-of-them-was-that/) [Michael Paterniti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-paterniti/) > [“From a footnote: Writes Clifton Fadiman: "A cheese may disappoint. 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