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Bulletin board Quote by Miriam Toews

“When negative experiences such as having one's house shot at occur in my dad's life he tends to come alive. His confusion lifts. Pieces of life's puzzle fuse into meaning like the continents before that colossal rift. It's entirely logical to him that his house has been shot at and when he's able…” quote by Miriam Toews
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““When negative experiences such as having one's house shot at occur in my dad's life he tends to come alive. His confusion lifts. Pieces of life's puzzle fuse into meaning like the continents before that colossal rift. It's entirely logical to him that his house has been shot at and when he's able to spend a minute or two in a world that makes sense he appears almost happy. And when he gets happy he does decisive things like this time he went over to the bulletin board in the kitchen and took down the city bus schedule that we've had up there since Tash left and before the bus depot itself closed down. He put it in the garbage can under the sink. Phew. Done. Goodbye past. But then I imagined him on a day when shitty things weren't happening and he'd be feeling his usual mystified self and go to the dump and there he would see that little piece of paper with the schedule on it and it would bring him to his knees. Just destroy him for a minute or two and he'd probably pick it up and wipe whatever seagull crap there was on it and straighten it out with the side of his hand and bring it back to the kitchen bulletin board and ARRANGE it on there so you'd know it was the centerpiece of his life.””

Miriam Toews

About This Quote

Source Novel: Women Talking by Miriam Toews, 2018

Crisis can sharpen focus, turning chaos into meaning and prompting decisive action.

In simple terms: Hardships can clarify purpose and drive action.

Key Takeaway

Use crisis moments to find clarity.

Themes

crisis clarity action

Mood

thoughtful introspective

Type

philosophical literary

When to use this quote

  • family conflict
  • personal loss
  • decision making
  • creative projects

Key Concepts

existentialism meaning‑making

Questions to Reflect On

  • What routine can provide meaning without crisis?
  • How can you sustain clarity after the event?
A Different Perspective

Over‑reliance on crisis may cause instability.

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