--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I want to feel like the things I did made…" description: "\"I want to feel like the things I did made a difference. That's one of the reasons I spend time greeting people on rope lines, because I'm always thinki..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/193/michelle-obama-518_always-thinking_i-want-to-feel-like-the-things-i-did-mad_263909.jpg" --- # I want to feel like the things I did made a difference… ![“I want to feel like the things I did made a difference. That's one of the reasons I spend time greeting people on rope lines, because I'm always thinking, 'Maybe this interaction, particularly if I'm meeting kids, will change someone's life.' That's how I think about the work I do as First Lady…” quote by Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/193/michelle-obama-518_always-thinking_i-want-to-feel-like-the-things-i-did-mad_263909.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/193/michelle-obama-518_always-thinking_i-want-to-feel-like-the-things-i-did-mad_263909.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/193/michelle-obama-518_always-thinking_i-want-to-feel-like-the-things-i-did-mad_263909.jpg) > “I want to feel like the things I did made a difference. That's one of the reasons I spend time greeting people on rope lines, because I'm always thinking, 'Maybe this interaction, particularly if I'm meeting kids, will change someone's life.' That's how I think about the work I do as First Lady. It's a rare spotlight. I want to make sure I don't waste it.” [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She wants her public role to have tangible impact, especially on youth, and avoids squandering her platform. **In simple terms:** She seeks meaningful influence through personal interactions. Key Takeaway Use your platform to create real change. Themes public service impact visibility responsibility Mood determined hopeful Type inspirational reflective When to use this quote - community outreach - youth mentorship - public speaking - media appearances Key Concepts leadership social influence purpose Questions to Reflect On - How can you measure the difference you make? - What small actions amplify your influence? A Different Perspective Impact can be limited by systemic constraints and public scrutiny. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Always thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always-thinking/) [Differences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences/) [End times](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/end-times/) [First lady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-lady/) [Greetings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greetings/) [Interaction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interaction/) [Kids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kids/) [Meetings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meetings/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Spotlight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spotlight/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Waste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waste/) ## Related quotes > [What I know for sure is that all the sacrifice and challenges we face are worth it if we're creating a better future for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/what-i-know-for-sure-is-that-all-the-sacrifice-and-challenges-we-face/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [People are always going to have opinions, and people have a right to their opinions, particularly when you're the First Lady; you're representing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/people-are-always-going-to-have-opinions-and-people-have-a-right-to/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [Although the circumstances of our lives may seem very disengaged, with me standing here as the First Lady of the United States of America…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/although-the-circumstances-of-our-lives-may-seem-very-disengaged-with/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [I say this everywhere I go: I admire and respect Hillary. She has been a lawyer, a law professor, First Lady of Arkansas, First…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/i-say-this-everywhere-i-go-i-admire-and-respect-hillary-she-has-been/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [But, as potentially the first African American first lady, I was also the focus of another set of questions and speculations; conversations sometimes rooted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/but-as-potentially-the-first-african-american-first-lady-i-was-also/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [I could have spent eight years doing anything, and at some level, it would have been fine. I could have focused on flowers. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/i-could-have-spent-eight-years-doing-anything-and-at-some-level-it/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [I talk about the food issue, I'm really coming at it from pre-White House times, when I was a working mother with a busy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/i-talk-about-the-food-issue-i-m-really-coming-at-it-from-pre-white/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [There were the questions of what kind of First Lady I would be, what issues would I focus on. Those were the questions that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/there-were-the-questions-of-what-kind-of-first-lady-i-would-be-what/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [We have to design policies that have meaningful impacts on the quality of life of women and families. And that's something that I know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/we-have-to-design-policies-that-have-meaningful-impacts-on-the/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [My sense is that being a First Lady is a full-time job, but I'll know more when the time comes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/my-sense-is-that-being-a-first-lady-is-a-full-time-job-but-i-ll-know/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [During the first campaign, one of my jobs as my husband's spouse was to travel around the country and really listen to women. There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/during-the-first-campaign-one-of-my-jobs-as-my-husband-s-spouse-was/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [I view myself as being the average woman. While I am first lady, I wasn't first lady my whole life. I'm a product of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/i-view-myself-as-being-the-average-woman-while-i-am-first-lady-i-wasn/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [I think it's important to know what you're going to do with the ball before it comes to you. So you're always thinking before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-van-der-vaart/i-think-it-s-important-to-know-what-you-re-going-to-do-with-the-ball/) [Rafael van der Vaart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-van-der-vaart/) > [I am not a finisher, I am a starter. And I am always thinking, what is the next project.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-eisenman/i-am-not-a-finisher-i-am-a-starter-and-i-am-always-thinking-what-is/) [Peter Eisenman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-eisenman/) > [You're always thinking, "What does that add up to?" You can't really get a handle on it. I was curious. I felt like it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-hell/you-re-always-thinking-what-does-that-add-up-to-you-can-t-really-get/) [Richard Hell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-hell/) ## More by Michelle Obama > [It's hard to change adults, and it's hard to change it from a political position or a perceived political position.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/it-s-hard-to-change-adults-and-it-s-hard-to-change-it-from-a/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [ The president \[Barack Obama\] asked for a commitment of, I think, 100,000 jobs for veterans and military spouses over the next couple of years.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/the-president-barack-obama-asked-for-a-commitment-of-i-think-100-000/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [You work hard for what you want in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/you-work-hard-for-what-you-want-in-life/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [We must once again come together and stand together for the man we can trust to keep moving this great country forward my husband,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/we-must-once-again-come-together-and-stand-together-for-the-man-we/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [We're starting to see, as the economy improves, that the unemployment rate among veterans and military spouses - we're seeing some improvement in those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/we-re-starting-to-see-as-the-economy-improves-that-the-unemployment/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [There's so much going on in the healthcare system that makes it difficult for women to really have a strong economic hold if insurance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/there-s-so-much-going-on-in-the-healthcare-system-that-makes-it/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [In the 10 cities with the nation's highest obesity rates, the direct costs connected with obesity and obesity-related diseases are roughly $50 million per…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/in-the-10-cities-with-the-nation-s-highest-obesity-rates-the-direct/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [What I admire most about Hillary is that she never buckles under pressure. She never takes the easy way out. And Hillary Clinton has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/what-i-admire-most-about-hillary-is-that-she-never-buckles-under/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [A lot of young people think they're invincible, but the truth is young people are knuckleheads... Now young people can get insurance for as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/a-lot-of-young-people-think-they-re-invincible-but-the-truth-is-young/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/one-of-the-lessons-that-i-grew-up-with-was-to-always-stay-true-to/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [I have never felt more confident in myself, more clear on who I am as a woman. But I am constantly thinking about my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/i-have-never-felt-more-confident-in-myself-more-clear-on-who-i-am-as/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [ We got a commitment that 3 million nurses are going to be trained to better identify these signs \[of PTSD\], because, you know, when… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/we-got-a-commitment-that-3-million-nurses-are-going-to-be-trained-to/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [We're our kids' first and best role models. So the first question is, what are you as a mom or a dad doing every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/we-re-our-kids-first-and-best-role-models-so-the-first-question-is/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [I've always tried to make sure that what I do really connects with the broader agenda of what my husband is trying to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/i-ve-always-tried-to-make-sure-that-what-i-do-really-connects-with/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [I know from experience that if I truly want to leave a better world for my daughters, and all of our sons and daughters;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/i-know-from-experience-that-if-i-truly-want-to-leave-a-better-world/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) [Explore all 504 Michelle Obama quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) ## More Always thinking quotes > [You're always thinking, "What does that add up to?" You can't really get a handle on it. I was curious. I felt like it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-hell/you-re-always-thinking-what-does-that-add-up-to-you-can-t-really-get/) [Richard Hell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-hell/) > [I am not a finisher, I am a starter. And I am always thinking, what is the next project.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-eisenman/i-am-not-a-finisher-i-am-a-starter-and-i-am-always-thinking-what-is/) [Peter Eisenman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-eisenman/) > [I think it's important to know what you're going to do with the ball before it comes to you. So you're always thinking before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-van-der-vaart/i-think-it-s-important-to-know-what-you-re-going-to-do-with-the-ball/) [Rafael van der Vaart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-van-der-vaart/) > [People who are always thinking of the feelings of others can be very destructive because they are hiding so much from themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/people-who-are-always-thinking-of-the-feelings-of-others-can-be-very/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [I am always thinking 'What am I doing here? Is this the way I am supposed to feel?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/i-am-always-thinking-what-am-i-doing-here-is-this-the-way-i-am/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [I'm always thinking about that young girl or young boy who doesn't quite know if their music, their messaging, their imaging, their voice is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-m-always-thinking-about-that-young-girl-or-young-boy-who-doesn-t/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [We're trying, despite having done research and having obviously preconceived ideas, we try our best to be as open-hearted as possible, and try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-page/we-re-trying-despite-having-done-research-and-having-obviously/) [Ellen Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-page/) > [I'm always thinking of ideas and sounds. I am waiting on something new and dope to inspire me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kid-ink/i-m-always-thinking-of-ideas-and-sounds-i-am-waiting-on-something-new/) [Kid Ink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kid-ink/) > [Successful people are always thinking about what they can do to move to the next level. Initiative is the drive to do it -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-bartiromo/successful-people-are-always-thinking-about-what-they-can-do-to-move/) [Maria Bartiromo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-bartiromo/) > [Meditation is one of the rare occasions when we're not doing anything. Otherwise, we're always doing something, we're always thinking something, we're always occupied.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dzongsar-jamyang-khyentse-rinpoche/meditation-is-one-of-the-rare-occasions-when-we-re-not-doing-anything/) [Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dzongsar-jamyang-khyentse-rinpoche/) > [The only reason why we are always thinking of our own ego is that we have to live with it more continuously than with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesare-pavese/the-only-reason-why-we-are-always-thinking-of-our-own-ego-is-that-we/) [Cesare Pavese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesare-pavese/) > [I'm not a nosy person, but I'm always thinking 'I wonder why he did that? I wonder why this week he was this much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-douglas/i-m-not-a-nosy-person-but-i-m-always-thinking-i-wonder-why-he-did/) [Jill Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-douglas/) > [Fiction writing is a twenty-four-hou r-a-day occupation. You never leave your work behind. It is always with you, and to some extent, you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-brooks/fiction-writing-is-a-twenty-four-hou-r-a-day-occupation-you-never/) [Terry Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-brooks/) > [I tend to write about love because I'm always thinking about it. I think a lot though and struggle with overanalyzing. Way over. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jillian-hervey/i-tend-to-write-about-love-because-i-m-always-thinking-about-it-i/) [Jillian Hervey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jillian-hervey/) > [Life will always change, and I'm always thinking about how to have a good-enough attitude to roll with the changes of life, of an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-feldmann/life-will-always-change-and-i-m-always-thinking-about-how-to-have-a/) [John Feldmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-feldmann/) [Browse all 94 Always thinking quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always-thinking/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I want to feel like the things I did made a difference. That's one of the reasons I spend time greeting people on rope lines, because I'm always thinking, 'Maybe this interaction, particularly if I'm meeting kids, will change someone's life.' That's how I think about the work I do as First Lady. 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