--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are the ones that we’ve been waiting…" description: "\"“We are the ones that we’ve been waiting for. — ALICE WALKER”\" — Steven Kotler" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/234/steven-kotler-7422_waiting_we-are-the-ones-that-we-ve-been-waiting_2136715.png" --- # We are the ones that we’ve been waiting for. — ALICE WALKER ![“We are the ones that we’ve been waiting for. — ALICE WALKER” quote by Steven Kotler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/234/steven-kotler-7422_waiting_we-are-the-ones-that-we-ve-been-waiting_2136715.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/234/steven-kotler-7422_waiting_we-are-the-ones-that-we-ve-been-waiting_2136715.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/234/steven-kotler-7422_waiting_we-are-the-ones-that-we-ve-been-waiting_2136715.png) > ““We are the ones that we’ve been waiting for. — ALICE WALKER”” [Steven Kotler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-kotler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We must become the agents of change we seek, rather than waiting for external saviors. **In simple terms:** We are our own future. Key Takeaway Take initiative to create the change you desire. Themes empowerment self‑reliance action Mood motivational inspirational Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - entrepreneurship - activism - personal growth Key Concepts psychology social change motivation Questions to Reflect On - What change are you postponing? - How can you inspire others while leading yourself? A Different Perspective Waiting for others can lead to inertia. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [I am very, very happy for Alice Walker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audre-lorde/i-am-very-very-happy-for-alice-walker/) [Audre Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audre-lorde/) > [“One thing I say about Farrakhan and Alice Walker they help me like being black. I wish I wasn't fat but I am. Maybe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sapphire/one-thing-i-say-about-farrakhan-and-alice-walker-they-help-me-like/) [Sapphire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sapphire/) > [“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any. Alice Walker”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-most-common-way-people-give-up-their-power-is-by-thinking-they-3/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I will read anything by Laura Hillenbrand, Walter Isaacson, Barbara Kingsolver, John le Carre, John Grisham, Hilary Mantel, Toni Morrison, Anna Quindlen and Alice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-will-read-anything-by-laura-hillenbrand-walter-isaacson-barbara/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [“One of my favorite quotes comes from author Alice Walker, who observed, “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-sandberg/one-of-my-favorite-quotes-comes-from-author-alice-walker-who-observed/) [Sheryl Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-sandberg/) > [Alice Walker's words have such rhythm and scream music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-robinson/alice-walker-s-words-have-such-rhythm-and-scream-music/) [Angela Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-robinson/) > [ \[On writing to Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple:\] I told her I would play a Venetian blind, dirt on the floor, anything. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whoopi-goldberg/on-writing-to-alice-walker-author-of-the-color-purple-i-told-her-i/) [Whoopi Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whoopi-goldberg/) > [Like Alice Walker and Toni Morrison, I try to balance reality with how we'd like the world to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-nottage/like-alice-walker-and-toni-morrison-i-try-to-balance-reality-with-how/) [Lynn Nottage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-nottage/) > [Come on obstacles! I've been expecting you! This is the chance that I've been waiting for!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daisaku-ikeda/come-on-obstacles-i-ve-been-expecting-you-this-is-the-chance-that-i/) [Daisaku Ikeda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daisaku-ikeda/) > [We are the ones we've been waiting for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-are-the-ones-we-ve-been-waiting-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In the words of Frederick Douglas, power concedes nothing without a demand; it never has and it never will. We must be that demand.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/in-the-words-of-frederick-douglas-power-concedes-nothing-without-a/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [Walk through the streets that know your name. All that's pure is now insane. Step inside, I've been waiting here for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/black-label-society/walk-through-the-streets-that-know-your-name-all-that-s-pure-is-now/) [Black Label Society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/black-label-society/) > [Well, I've been waiting, I was sure we'd meet between the trains we're waiting for I think it's time to board another Please understand,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/well-i-ve-been-waiting-i-was-sure-we-d-meet-between-the-trains-we-re/) [Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/) > [I don't think you realize just how long I've been waiting for someone like you. The lows the highs I've made it throw it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-don-t-think-you-realize-just-how-long-i-ve-been-waiting-for-someone/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I've been waiting for you a long time, Alina" He said. "You and I are going to change the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-ve-been-waiting-for-you-a-long-time-alina-he-said-you-and-i-are/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) ## More by Steven Kotler > [“The United States is in a tough spot.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-kotler/the-united-states-is-in-a-tough-spot/) [Steven Kotler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-kotler/) > [“When you strip everything else away, technology is nothing more than the promise of an easier tomorrow. It’s the promise of hope. And how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-kotler/when-you-strip-everything-else-away-technology-is-nothing-more-than/) [Steven Kotler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-kotler/) > [“With the prefrontal cortex down-regulated, most impulse control mechanisms go offline too. For people who aren't used to this combination, the results can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-kotler/with-the-prefrontal-cortex-down-regulated-most-impulse-control/) [Steven Kotler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-kotler/) > [“of the benefits of spaying and neutering, it wasn’t until the 1990s that their catchy tag line, “Less born, less killed, less cruelty,” really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-kotler/of-the-benefits-of-spaying-and-neutering-it-wasn-t-until-the-1990s/) [Steven Kotler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-kotler/) > [“The quality most desirable in a CEO? According to a global survey conducted by IBM of 1,500 top executives in sixty countries: creativity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-kotler/the-quality-most-desirable-in-a-ceo-according-to-a-global-survey/) [Steven Kotler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-kotler/) > [The reasons there are so many clichés about universes inside of dewdrops is because there are universes inside of dewdrops.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-kotler/the-reasons-there-are-so-many-clich-s-about-universes-inside-of/) [Steven Kotler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-kotler/) > [“According to the official numbers, shelters take in somewhere between six million and eight million dogs and cats every year and euthanize about half…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-kotler/according-to-the-official-numbers-shelters-take-in-somewhere-between/) [Steven Kotler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-kotler/) > [“This means flow packs a double punch: it doesn’t just increase our decision-making abilities—it increases our creative decision-making abilities. Dramatically.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-kotler/this-means-flow-packs-a-double-punch-it-doesn-t-just-increase-our/) [Steven Kotler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-kotler/) > [“A quick search on Google yields over 11.5 billion hits for the word “time.” In comparison, more obvious topics of interest like sex and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-kotler/a-quick-search-on-google-yields-over-11-5-billion-hits-for-the-word/) [Steven Kotler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-kotler/) > [“Risk heightens focus and flow follows focus. This means that the fight-or-flight response primes the body—chemically and psychologically—for the flow state. 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They make use of a very small portion of their possible consciousness,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-kotler/most-people-live-in-a-very-restricted-circle-of-their-potential-being/) [Steven Kotler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-kotler/) [Explore all 91 Steven Kotler quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-kotler/) ## More Waiting quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Each woman is like an instrument, waiting to be learned, loved, and finely played, to have at last her own true music made.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/each-woman-is-like-an-instrument-waiting-to-be-learned-loved-and/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [A Light exists in Spring Not present on the Year At any other period - When March is scarcely here A Color stands abroad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/a-light-exists-in-spring-not-present-on-the-year-at-any-other-period/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [Love will fan the flame, and that flame will warm the heart that's waiting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-w-smith/love-will-fan-the-flame-and-that-flame-will-warm-the-heart-that-s/) [Michael W. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-w-smith/) > [It's difficult for people to come to the understanding that only a small minority of the people ever really get the word about life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-nightingale/it-s-difficult-for-people-to-come-to-the-understanding-that-only-a/) [Earl Nightingale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-nightingale/) > [Tonight I feel like a prisoner on fire, waiting desperately... denied, sentenced forever more. Only your love can set me free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bolton/tonight-i-feel-like-a-prisoner-on-fire-waiting-desperately-denied/) [Michael Bolton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bolton/) > [People waste more time waiting for someone to take charge of their lives than they do in any other pursuit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-steinem/people-waste-more-time-waiting-for-someone-to-take-charge-of-their/) [Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-steinem/) > [A well-fashioned day - with a beginning and an end, a purpose and a content, a color and a character, a feel and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/a-well-fashioned-day-with-a-beginning-and-an-end-a-purpose-and-a/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [You always hear actors say, 'Theater is my first love,' and it is. It's a time when you really get to do what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-landecker/you-always-hear-actors-say-theater-is-my-first-love-and-it-is-it-s-a/) [Amy Landecker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-landecker/) > [Everyday happiness means getting up in the morning, and you can't wait to finish your breakfast. You can't wait to do your exercises. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-burns/everyday-happiness-means-getting-up-in-the-morning-and-you-can-t-wait/) [George Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-burns/) > [Life is a helluva thing. You can see trouble coming and you can't do a damn thing to prevent it coming. You just got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-a-helluva-thing-you-can-see-trouble-coming-and-you-can-t-do-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I could be in another country but if someone is waiting on me and they call, I always say I'll be there in 5 minutes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-could-be-in-another-country-but-if-someone-is-waiting-on-me-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Memory revises me. Even now a letter comes from a place I don’t know, from someone with my name and postmarked years ago, while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-young-lee/memory-revises-me-even-now-a-letter-comes-from-a-place-i-don-t-know/) [Li-Young Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-young-lee/) > [“It's killing me not to do everything in my power to beg you to be with me. To wait for me, because I'm waiting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jolene-perry/it-s-killing-me-not-to-do-everything-in-my-power-to-beg-you-to-be/) [Jolene Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jolene-perry/) Browse all 10,248 Waiting quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“We are the ones that we’ve been waiting for. — ALICE WALKER”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Steven Kotler" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-kotler/we-are-the-ones-that-we-ve-been-waiting-for-alice-walker/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Waiting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-kotler/we-are-the-ones-that-we-ve-been-waiting-for-alice-walker/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/234/steven-kotler-7422_waiting_we-are-the-ones-that-we-ve-been-waiting_2136715.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/234/steven-kotler-7422_waiting_we-are-the-ones-that-we-ve-been-waiting_2136715.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/234/steven-kotler-7422_waiting_we-are-the-ones-that-we-ve-been-waiting_2136715.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We are the ones that we’ve been waiting for. — ALICE WALKER” — Steven Kotler", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Steven Kotler", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-kotler/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“We are the ones that we’ve...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-kotler/we-are-the-ones-that-we-ve-been-waiting-for-alice-walker/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-kotler/we-are-the-ones-that-we-ve-been-waiting-for-alice-walker/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```