--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We have all experienced times when…" description: "\"We have all experienced times when, instead of being buffeted by anonymous forces, we do feel in control of our actions, masters of our own fate. On th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc7/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi-1255_action_we-have-all-experienced-times-when-inste_1002272.jpg" --- # We have all experienced times when, instead of being… ![“We have all experienced times when, instead of being buffeted by anonymous forces, we do feel in control of our actions, masters of our own fate. On the rare occasions that it happens, we feel a sense of exhilaration...” quote by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc7/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi-1255_action_we-have-all-experienced-times-when-inste_1002272.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc7/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi-1255_action_we-have-all-experienced-times-when-inste_1002272.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc7/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi-1255_action_we-have-all-experienced-times-when-inste_1002272.jpg) > “We have all experienced times when, instead of being buffeted by anonymous forces, we do feel in control of our actions, masters of our own fate. On the rare occasions that it happens, we feel a sense of exhilaration...” [Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Occasionally feeling fully in control of one's actions brings intense joy and a sense of mastery. **In simple terms:** Control can bring exhilaration. Key Takeaway Seek moments of agency. Themes psychology flow agency exhilaration Mood inspired reflective Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - creative work - sports - decision making - leadership Key Concepts self‑determination theory optimal experience Questions to Reflect On - When have you felt true control? - How can you increase agency in daily life? A Different Perspective Control is often limited by external factors. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Destiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destiny/) [Exhilaration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exhilaration/) [Fate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fate/) [Feel Control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feel-control/) [Feels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feels/) [Force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/force/) [Forces Feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forces-feel-2123048/) [Happens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happens/) [Happens Feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happens-feel-1256334/) [Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/masters/) [Occasions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/occasions/) [Our actions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-actions/) [Rare occasion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rare-occasion/) [Sense Exhilaration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sense-exhilaration-2123047/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [We have all experienced times when, instead of being buffeted by anonymous forces, we do feel in control of our actions, masters of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi/we-have-all-experienced-times-when-instead-of-being-buffeted-by-2/) [Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi/) > [Optimal experience is that rare occasion when we feel a sense of exhilaration, a deep sense of enjoyment that is long cherished and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi/optimal-experience-is-that-rare-occasion-when-we-feel-a-sense-of/) [Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi/) > [Few can contemplate without a sense of exhilaration the splendid achievements of practical energy and technical skill, which, from the latter part of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-f-schumacher/few-can-contemplate-without-a-sense-of-exhilaration-the-splendid/) [E. 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I am content if, on those rare occasions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-deren/i-am-not-greedy-i-do-not-seek-to-possess-the-major-portion-of-your/) [Maya Deren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-deren/) > [I'm often wary of using the word 'inspiration' to introduce my work -- it sounds too much like a sun shower from the heavens,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-tan/i-m-often-wary-of-using-the-word-inspiration-to-introduce-my-work-it/) [Shaun Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-tan/) > [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/) > [“If there is difference of opinions on a rare occasion, then that is the measure of being a human.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/if-there-is-difference-of-opinions-on-a-rare-occasion-then-that-is/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) ## More by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi > [“Entropy is the normal state of consciousness—a condition that is neither useful nor enjoyable. 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Some of these experiences can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi/unfortunately-many-people-find-the-only-challenges-they-can-respond/) [Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi/) > [It is essential to learn to enjoy life. 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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. 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