--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Maybe happiness was an hourglass already…" description: "\"Maybe happiness was an hourglass already running out, the grains tipping, sifting past each other. Maybe it was a state of mind.\" — Paula McLain" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c34/paula-mclain-3064_grain_maybe-happiness-was-an-hourglass-already_3175935.jpg" --- # Maybe happiness was an hourglass already running out, the… ![“Maybe happiness was an hourglass already running out, the grains tipping, sifting past each other. Maybe it was a state of mind.” quote by Paula McLain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c34/paula-mclain-3064_grain_maybe-happiness-was-an-hourglass-already_3175935.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c34/paula-mclain-3064_grain_maybe-happiness-was-an-hourglass-already_3175935.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c34/paula-mclain-3064_grain_maybe-happiness-was-an-hourglass-already_3175935.jpg) > “Maybe happiness was an hourglass already running out, the grains tipping, sifting past each other. Maybe it was a state of mind.” [Paula McLain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-mclain/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Happiness is likened to an hourglass, suggesting it is fleeting and dependent on perspective, urging awareness of its transient nature. **In simple terms:** Happiness is fleeting and mindset‑based. Key Takeaway Cherish moments before they slip away. Themes happiness time mindset impermanence Mood reflective melancholic hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - daily gratitude - mindfulness practice - life transitions - stressful periods - celebrations Key Concepts philosophy psychology temporal awareness Questions to Reflect On - What moments make you feel time slow? - How can you sustain joy in routine? A Different Perspective Happiness can be influenced by external circumstances beyond mindset. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Grain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grain/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [State of mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state-of-mind/) ## Related quotes > [“Maybe happiness was an hourglass already running out, the grains tipping, sifting past each other. 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When I read the screenplay, I knew that there would be no HD camera that could achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deon-taylor/i-m-a-film-guy-i-love-it-when-i-read-the-screenplay-i-knew-that-there/) Deon Taylor > [The grain of real knowledge is concealed in a vast deal of esoteric chaff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-rupert-hall/the-grain-of-real-knowledge-is-concealed-in-a-vast-deal-of-esoteric/) Alfred Rupert Hall > [Every man will have his own criterion in forming his judgment of others. I depend very much on the effect of affliction. I consider…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-cecil/every-man-will-have-his-own-criterion-in-forming-his-judgment-of/) [Richard Cecil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-cecil/) > [While traveling, I love granola bars, trail mix nuts, dry cereal and fruit for on-the-go snacks. I also try and start the day with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christie-rampone/while-traveling-i-love-granola-bars-trail-mix-nuts-dry-cereal-and/) [Christie Rampone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christie-rampone/) > [Where is the subject that does not branch out into infinity? For every grain of sand is a mystery; so is every daisy in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-mountford/where-is-the-subject-that-does-not-branch-out-into-infinity-for-every/) [William Mountford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-mountford/) > [I have never seen either a drop of piety or a grain of truth or ingenuousness - nay, I have never found common sense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/i-have-never-seen-either-a-drop-of-piety-or-a-grain-of-truth-or/) [John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/) > [If you could understand a single grain of wheat you would die of wonder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/if-you-could-understand-a-single-grain-of-wheat-you-would-die-of/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [I like to go against the grain, against what's out there. Every day is like a challenge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wyclef-jean/i-like-to-go-against-the-grain-against-what-s-out-there-every-day-is/) [Wyclef Jean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wyclef-jean/) > [Write against patterns. Go against the devils. Write what you never write. Lie. Validate what you don’t validate. Indulge what you don’t like. Wallow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deena-metzger/write-against-patterns-go-against-the-devils-write-what-you-never/) [Deena Metzger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deena-metzger/) > [It's all about salsa with grain chips, tofu, turkey slices, hummus, and coconut water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurieann-gibson/it-s-all-about-salsa-with-grain-chips-tofu-turkey-slices-hummus-and/) [Laurieann Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurieann-gibson/) > [“Throw your grain into the see and it will come back to you”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thabiso-monkoe/throw-your-grain-into-the-see-and-it-will-come-back-to-you/) [Thabiso Monkoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thabiso-monkoe/) > [You may boldly say, you did not plough Or trust the barren and ungrateful sands With the fruitful grain of your religious counsels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-massinger/you-may-boldly-say-you-did-not-plough-or-trust-the-barren-and/) [Philip Massinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-massinger/) > [The pious farmer, who ne'er misses pray'rs, With patience suffers unexpected rain; He blesses Heav'n for what its bounty spares, And sees, resign'd, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wortley-montagu/the-pious-farmer-who-ne-er-misses-pray-rs-with-patience-suffers/) [Mary Wortley Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wortley-montagu/) > [I always not only want push the envelope in my career but I also have an itch for going against the grain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-hopkins/i-always-not-only-want-push-the-envelope-in-my-career-but-i-also-have/) [Bernard Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-hopkins/) [Browse all 795 Grain quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grain/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Maybe happiness was an hourglass already running out, the grains tipping, sifting past each other. 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