--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One of life's best coping mechanisms is…" description: "\"One of life's best coping mechanisms is to know the difference between an inconvenience and a problem. If you break your neck, if you have nothing to e..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/robert-fulghum-1807_coping_one-of-life-s-best-coping-mechanisms-is_958734.png" --- # One of life's best coping mechanisms is to know the… ![“One of life's best coping mechanisms is to know the difference between an inconvenience and a problem. If you break your neck, if you have nothing to eat, if your house is on fire – then you’ve got a problem. Everything else is an inconvenience. Life is inconvenient. Life is lumpy. A lump in the…” quote by Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/robert-fulghum-1807_coping_one-of-life-s-best-coping-mechanisms-is_958734.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/robert-fulghum-1807_coping_one-of-life-s-best-coping-mechanisms-is_958734.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/robert-fulghum-1807_coping_one-of-life-s-best-coping-mechanisms-is_958734.png) > “One of life's best coping mechanisms is to know the difference between an inconvenience and a problem. If you break your neck, if you have nothing to eat, if your house is on fire – then you’ve got a problem. Everything else is an inconvenience. Life is inconvenient. Life is lumpy. A lump in the oatmeal, a lump in the throat and a lump in the breast are not the same kind of lump. One needs to learn the difference.” [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Distinguish minor annoyances from serious crises to prioritize energy and response. **In simple terms:** Know the difference between small hassles and real emergencies. Key Takeaway Focus on true problems, not trivial annoyances. Themes prioritization resilience clarity Mood pragmatic calm Type advice self‑help When to use this quote - daily life - emergency planning - mental health Key Concepts problem solving stress management Questions to Reflect On - How do you decide what is an inconvenience? - What strategies help you reframe minor issues? A Different Perspective Some may argue all stress is valid, even minor. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Coping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coping/) [Coping mechanisms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coping-mechanisms/) [Inconvenience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inconvenience/) [Inconvenience Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inconvenience-life-1759718/) [Inconvenient Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inconvenient-life-1759719/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life Inconvenient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-inconvenient-993723/) [Life Lumpy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-lumpy-1759720/) ## Related quotes > [For thirty years now, in times of stress and strain, when something has me backed against the wall and I'm ready to do something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/for-thirty-years-now-in-times-of-stress-and-strain-when-something-has/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [I mean, in all fairness, in the grand scheme of things, if the greatest inconvenience of my life is that sometimes people want a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/killian-scott/i-mean-in-all-fairness-in-the-grand-scheme-of-things-if-the-greatest/) [Killian Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/killian-scott/) > [People who can talk the talk but can't walk the walk are an inconvenience to my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/people-who-can-talk-the-talk-but-can-t-walk-the-walk-are-an/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [One of life's best coping mechanisms is to know the difference between an inconvenience and a problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/one-of-life-s-best-coping-mechanisms-is-to-know-the-difference/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [Life is lumpy. And a lump in the oatmeal, a lump in the throat, and a lump in a breast are not the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/life-is-lumpy-and-a-lump-in-the-oatmeal-a-lump-in-the-throat-and-a/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [The questions that are beyond the reach of economics-the beauty, dignity, pleasure and durability of life-may be inconvenient but they are important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kenneth-galbraith/the-questions-that-are-beyond-the-reach-of-economics-the-beauty/) [John Kenneth Galbraith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kenneth-galbraith/) > [There are fewer things more thrilling in life than lumpy letters. That rattle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-shepherd/there-are-fewer-things-more-thrilling-in-life-than-lumpy-letters-that/) [Jean Shepherd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-shepherd/) > [Dreams are more powerful than facts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/dreams-are-more-powerful-than-facts/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [“If you break your neck, if you have nothing to eat or your house is on fire, you've got a problem. Everything else is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/if-you-break-your-neck-if-you-have-nothing-to-eat-or-your-house-is-on/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [If you break your neck, if you have nothing to eat, if your house is on fire, then you got a problem. Everything else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/if-you-break-your-neck-if-you-have-nothing-to-eat-if-your-house-is-on/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [I have an unusual hobby: I collect pictures of people I don't know. It started when I was a kid growing up in South…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ransom-riggs/i-have-an-unusual-hobby-i-collect-pictures-of-people-i-don-t-know-it/) [Ransom Riggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ransom-riggs/) > [Food or the lack thereof can, at times, be coping mechanisms for people. While this isn't the best approach to good health, it's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jameela-jamil/food-or-the-lack-thereof-can-at-times-be-coping-mechanisms-for-people/) [Jameela Jamil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jameela-jamil/) > [“Everyone has their coping mechanisms, Mom. Some hide behind silk scarves and boutique cafés. Others stick to sarcasm. Chapter 4”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irina-semikop/everyone-has-their-coping-mechanisms-mom-some-hide-behind-silk/) [Irina Semikop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irina-semikop/) > [“Physiological stress, then, is the link between personality traits and disease. Certain traits — otherwise known as coping styles — magnify the risk for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabor-mat/physiological-stress-then-is-the-link-between-personality-traits-and/) [Gabor Maté](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabor-mat/) > [I think for the rest of the day I'll turn to my comfort/coping mechanisms...red wine and online shopping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-think-for-the-rest-of-the-day-i-ll-turn-to-my-comfort-coping/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Robert Fulghum > [to understand our love they'd have to turn the world upside down](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/to-understand-our-love-they-d-have-to-turn-the-world-upside-down/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/what-does-it-profit-a-man-if-he-gains-the-whole-world-and-loses-his/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [“Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words will break our hearts”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/sticks-and-stones-may-break-our-bones-but-words-will-break-our-hearts/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [Life is. I am. Anything might happen. And I believe I may invest my life with meaning. The uncertainty is a blessing in disguise.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/life-is-i-am-anything-might-happen-and-i-believe-i-may-invest-my-life/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [Weddings seem to be magnets for mishap and for whatever craziness lurks in family closets. In more ways than one, weddings bring out the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/weddings-seem-to-be-magnets-for-mishap-and-for-whatever-craziness/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [I don't think there is a hidden purpose to the universe that you have to puzzle out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/i-don-t-think-there-is-a-hidden-purpose-to-the-universe-that-you-have/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [The name is not important anymore - it's the tone that counts. I feel like an old dog I know. He will come to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/the-name-is-not-important-anymore-it-s-the-tone-that-counts-i-feel/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [“Nobody goes "AAAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" when they sing it. Maybe because it puts the life adventure in such clear and simple terms. The small creature is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/nobody-goes-aaaaaaagggggggghhhhhhhhh-when-they-sing-it-maybe-because/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate-school mountain, but there at the sandpile at Sunday School.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/wisdom-was-not-at-the-top-of-the-graduate-school-mountain-but-there/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [You are free to give life meaning, whatever meaning you want to give it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/you-are-free-to-give-life-meaning-whatever-meaning-you-want-to-give-it/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [If we could just figure out how to have more fun at it, maybe more of us would join the ranks of those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/if-we-could-just-figure-out-how-to-have-more-fun-at-it-maybe-more-of/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [Sometimes during the day, I consciously focus on some ordinary object and allow myself a momentary "paying-attention." This paying-attention gives meaning to my life.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/sometimes-during-the-day-i-consciously-focus-on-some-ordinary-object/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [All I ever needed to know I learned in kindergarten. Share everything ... Don't hit people ... Clean up your own mess ...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/all-i-ever-needed-to-know-i-learned-in-kindergarten-share-everything/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [No. I was an only child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/no-i-was-an-only-child/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [You feel like an ant contemplating Chicago.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/you-feel-like-an-ant-contemplating-chicago/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) [Explore all 206 Robert Fulghum quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) ## More Coping quotes > [Imperfections are what make you perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-tell/imperfections-are-what-make-you-perfect/) [Nia Tellé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-tell/) > [I think for the rest of the day I'll turn to my comfort/coping mechanisms...red wine and online shopping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-think-for-the-rest-of-the-day-i-ll-turn-to-my-comfort-coping/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The body is thus not simply an 'entity', but is experienced as a practical mode of coping with external situations and events.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-giddens/the-body-is-thus-not-simply-an-entity-but-is-experienced-as-a/) [Anthony Giddens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-giddens/) > ['Johnny' was a coping mechanism who could take those things which could have ordinarily destroyed me, by tweaking my past and throwing it back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-vegas/johnny-was-a-coping-mechanism-who-could-take-those-things-which-could/) [Johnny Vegas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-vegas/) > [In terms of humor, it's a really powerful coping mechanism, and it gets you through really dark days.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-victor/in-terms-of-humor-it-s-a-really-powerful-coping-mechanism-and-it-gets/) [Eva Victor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-victor/) > [Occasionally some individuals let the seeming ordinariness of life dampen their spirits. Though actually coping and growning, others lack the quiet, inner-soul satisfaction that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/occasionally-some-individuals-let-the-seeming-ordinariness-of-life/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Punishment by definition isn't going to help. So what you need to do is to help people to change and recover is to help…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maia-szalavitz/punishment-by-definition-isn-t-going-to-help-so-what-you-need-to-do/) [Maia Szalavitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maia-szalavitz/) > [Remaining calm in adversity is a sign of great spiritual strength. No matter what's going on in your life right now, Hold your peace!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemmy-nola/remaining-calm-in-adversity-is-a-sign-of-great-spiritual-strength-no/) [Kemmy Nola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kemmy-nola/) > [If something is bothering you right now, try not to make any decision in hurry instead take some time to think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/if-something-is-bothering-you-right-now-try-not-to-make-any-decision/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [No one would feel embarrassed about seeking help for a child if they broke their arm and we really should be equally ready to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-middleton/no-one-would-feel-embarrassed-about-seeking-help-for-a-child-if-they/) [Kate Middleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-middleton/) > [“When I can’t fight, I need you to fight harder. When I can’t be strong anymore, I need you to be stronger." - Neela…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-seril/when-i-can-t-fight-i-need-you-to-fight-harder-when-i-can-t-be-strong/) [Steven Seril](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-seril/) > [“For every evil under the sun, There is a remedy, or there is none. If there be one, try and find it; If there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-goose-rhymes/for-every-evil-under-the-sun-there-is-a-remedy-or-there-is-none-if/) [Mother Goose Rhymes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-goose-rhymes/) > [This is my life now. Absurd, but unpredictable. Not absurd because unpredictable but unpredictable because absurd. 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I imagined that each star contained the soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-bialosky/to-get-through-the-night-i-sometimes-imagined-the-sky-filled-with-a/) [Jill Bialosky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-bialosky/) [Browse all 462 Coping quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coping/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "One of life's best coping mechanisms is to know the difference between an inconvenience and a problem. If you break your neck, if you have nothing to eat, if your house is on fire – then you’ve got a problem. Everything else is an inconvenience. Life is inconvenient. Life is lumpy. A lump in the oatmeal, a lump in the throat and a lump in the breast are not the same kind of lump. 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