--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We can gradually drop our ideals of who…" description: "\"We can gradually drop our ideals of who we think we ought to be, or who we think we want to be, or who we think other people think we want to be or oug..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30a/pema-ch-dr-n-327_buddhism_we-can-gradually-drop-our-ideals-of-who_1593583.jpg" --- # We can gradually drop our ideals of who we think we ought… ![“We can gradually drop our ideals of who we think we ought to be, or who we think we want to be, or who we think other people think we want to be or ought to be.” quote by Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30a/pema-ch-dr-n-327_buddhism_we-can-gradually-drop-our-ideals-of-who_1593583.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30a/pema-ch-dr-n-327_buddhism_we-can-gradually-drop-our-ideals-of-who_1593583.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30a/pema-ch-dr-n-327_buddhism_we-can-gradually-drop-our-ideals-of-who_1593583.jpg) > “We can gradually drop our ideals of who we think we ought to be, or who we think we want to be, or who we think other people think we want to be or ought to be.” [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Gradually release rigid self‑expectations imposed by self or others to find freedom. **In simple terms:** Let go of fixed self‑ideas. Key Takeaway Release limiting self‑concepts. Themes self‑growth mindfulness identity Mood calm inspired Type spiritual practical When to use this quote - personal therapy - mindful meditation - career transitions Key Concepts attachment expectations self‑image Questions to Reflect On - What self‑ideas are you holding onto? - How might letting go change your life? A Different Perspective Changing identity can cause anxiety. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Buddhism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddhism/) [Ideals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideals/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Take some time and really grasp what you value and cherish in life; youll want those around you to have similar ideals. Think about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kumar-sinha/take-some-time-and-really-grasp-what-you-value-and-cherish-in-life/) [Dr Anil Kumar Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kumar-sinha/) > [“Everything goes. But the one thing that separates human beings from animals is a nobility of spirit, a sense of self-worth. I have ideals.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-palmer/everything-goes-but-the-one-thing-that-separates-human-beings-from/) [Diana Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-palmer/) > [I believe that if man and woman cherish the same ideals and think alike, then the marriage can be complementary to each other's work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/munshi-premchand/i-believe-that-if-man-and-woman-cherish-the-same-ideals-and-think/) [Munshi Premchand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/munshi-premchand/) > [I can't overestimate the importance of accepting ourselves exactly as we are right now, not as we wish we were or think we ought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/i-can-t-overestimate-the-importance-of-accepting-ourselves-exactly-as/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“it occurs to me that I must not know altogether what I am, either, and that others know certain things about me better than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-davis/it-occurs-to-me-that-i-must-not-know-altogether-what-i-am-either-and/) [Lydia Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-davis/) > [“And he was like, “No, no, I really think we ought to do that.” And I was like, “We don't have time!” So he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-seibel/and-he-was-like-no-no-i-really-think-we-ought-to-do-that-and-i-was/) [Peter Seibel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-seibel/) > [Telling others about oneself is...no simple matter. 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