--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But once you become active in something…" description: "\"But once you become active in something, something happens to you. You get excited and suddenly you realize you count.\" — Studs Terkel" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aff/studs-terkel-3020_active_but-once-you-become-active-in-something_2122041.jpg" --- # But once you become active in something, something happens… ![“But once you become active in something, something happens to you. You get excited and suddenly you realize you count.” quote by Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aff/studs-terkel-3020_active_but-once-you-become-active-in-something_2122041.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aff/studs-terkel-3020_active_but-once-you-become-active-in-something_2122041.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aff/studs-terkel-3020_active_but-once-you-become-active-in-something_2122041.jpg) > “But once you become active in something, something happens to you. You get excited and suddenly you realize you count.” [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Engagement in meaningful activities can spark excitement and a sense of purpose, making you feel valued. **In simple terms:** Active involvement creates purpose and joy. Key Takeaway Find and commit to purposeful work. Themes purpose engagement growth Mood inspired optimistic Type motivational reflective When to use this quote - volunteering - career projects - hobbies - community service Key Concepts self‑actualization motivation Questions to Reflect On - What activity makes you feel alive? - How can you sustain that feeling? A Different Perspective Excitement may fade without clear goals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Active](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/active/) [Active Happens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/active-happens-4333640/) [Excited](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excited/) [Excited Suddenly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excited-suddenly-4333641/) [Happens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happens/) [Happens Excited](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happens-excited-411636/) [Realizing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realizing/) [Suddenly Realize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suddenly-realize-545999/) [Things happen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-happen/) ## Related quotes > [Los Angles to me seems to be a little bit more forgiving. They're just as rowdy and they're just as excited but they understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-cole/los-angles-to-me-seems-to-be-a-little-bit-more-forgiving-they-re-just/) [Adam Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-cole/) > [“I'm about to flip out, but then I suddenly realize what she's saying. She means she's not going to waste that bit of her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophia-bennett/i-m-about-to-flip-out-but-then-i-suddenly-realize-what-she-s-saying/) [Sophia Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophia-bennett/) > [When you have a 13 year old child, you suddenly realize that you may need to pick a vocation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tesh/when-you-have-a-13-year-old-child-you-suddenly-realize-that-you-may/) [John Tesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tesh/) > [“I suddenly realize that finding my past in pieces has actually brought me closer to my future.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-karr/i-suddenly-realize-that-finding-my-past-in-pieces-has-actually/) [Kim Karr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-karr/) > [Often I am struck in amazement about a word: I suddenly realize that the complete arbitrariness of our language is but a part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-morgenstern/often-i-am-struck-in-amazement-about-a-word-i-suddenly-realize-that/) [Christian Morgenstern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-morgenstern/) > [He made me suddenly realize that photographs could reach eternity through the moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-cartier-bresson/he-made-me-suddenly-realize-that-photographs-could-reach-eternity/) [Henri Cartier-Bresson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-cartier-bresson/) > [That feeling you get when you suddenly realize that you were fighting for nothing all along.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/that-feeling-you-get-when-you-suddenly-realize-that-you-were-fighting/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You realize, this is not just a little studio we go to make these television episodes. This thing is reaching everybody in the world!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-farr/you-realize-this-is-not-just-a-little-studio-we-go-to-make-these/) [Jamie Farr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-farr/) > [Suddenly I realize That if I stepped out of my body I would break Into blossom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-wright/suddenly-i-realize-that-if-i-stepped-out-of-my-body-i-would-break/) [James Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-wright/) > [He is so shaggy. People are amazed when he gets up and they suddenly realize they have been talking to the wrong end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-jones/he-is-so-shaggy-people-are-amazed-when-he-gets-up-and-they-suddenly/) [Elizabeth Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-jones/) > [Stop and ask yourself how you've made it this far and you'll suddenly realize you are not alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/romany-malco/stop-and-ask-yourself-how-you-ve-made-it-this-far-and-you-ll-suddenly/) [Romany Malco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/romany-malco/) > [That time where you like the new kid in your group and you think they like you back, but suddenly you realize it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-faye-me/that-time-where-you-like-the-new-kid-in-your-group-and-you-think-they/) [Gina Faye (me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-faye-me/) > [Turning 60 had an impact on my heart and soul, I must say, because you're dealing with time: past, present, and future. You suddenly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brosnan/turning-60-had-an-impact-on-my-heart-and-soul-i-must-say-because-you/) [Pierce Brosnan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brosnan/) > [Sometimes, you think you've gotten over a person, but when you see them smile, you suddenly realize you're just pretending you're over them to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-you-think-you-ve-gotten-over-a-person-but-when-you-see-them/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Suddenly I realize that everyone in the whole world is, at the end of a day, staring at a dusky horizon, owner of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-horvath/suddenly-i-realize-that-everyone-in-the-whole-world-is-at-the-end-of/) [Polly Horvath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-horvath/) ## More by Studs Terkel > [My epitaph? My epitaph will be, 'Curiosity did not kill this cat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/my-epitaph-my-epitaph-will-be-curiosity-did-not-kill-this-cat/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [“It was in ’35—we had this campaign to raise a million tax dollars. In the town of Phillips, one evening, during a blizzard, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/it-was-in-35-we-had-this-campaign-to-raise-a-million-tax-dollars-in/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [I read somewhere that when a person takes part in community action, his health improves. Something happens to him or to her biologically. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/i-read-somewhere-that-when-a-person-takes-part-in-community-action/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [Don't be an examiner, be the interested inquirer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/don-t-be-an-examiner-be-the-interested-inquirer/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [Hope never trickles down. It always springs up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/hope-never-trickles-down-it-always-springs-up/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [I never drove a car. I'm hopeless that way. I press the wrong buttons on the tape recorder. But if the person I'm interviewing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/i-never-drove-a-car-i-m-hopeless-that-way-i-press-the-wrong-buttons/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [To survive the day is triumph enough for the walking wounded among the great many of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/to-survive-the-day-is-triumph-enough-for-the-walking-wounded-among/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [“I’ll never forget that Depression Easter Sunday. Our son was four years old. I bought ten or fifteen cents’ worth of eggs. You didn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/i-ll-never-forget-that-depression-easter-sunday-our-son-was-four/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [All you need in life is truth and beauty and you can find both at the Public Library.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/all-you-need-in-life-is-truth-and-beauty-and-you-can-find-both-at-the/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [Reading a book should not be a passive exercise, but rather a raucous conversation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/reading-a-book-should-not-be-a-passive-exercise-but-rather-a-raucous/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [I hope for peace and sanity - it's the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/i-hope-for-peace-and-sanity-it-s-the-same-thing/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [“The total cost of the Federal Arts Project was only $23 million. Many of these paintings, sculptures and prints were given to museums, courthouses,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/the-total-cost-of-the-federal-arts-project-was-only-23-million-many/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [I find labels "liberal" and "conservative" of little meaning. Our language has become perverted along with the thoughts of many of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/i-find-labels-liberal-and-conservative-of-little-meaning-our-language/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [“Who knows Bob’s name in this outfit—let alone his lame child’s? (“The last place I worked for, I was let go,” recalls the bank…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/who-knows-bob-s-name-in-this-outfit-let-alone-his-lame-child-s-the/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [The trouble with censorship is that once it starts it is hard to stop. Just about every book contains something that someone objects to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/the-trouble-with-censorship-is-that-once-it-starts-it-is-hard-to-stop/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) [Explore all 142 Studs Terkel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) ## More Active quotes > [Listening is a very active awareness of the coming together of at least two lives. Listening, as far as I'm concerned, is certainly a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-rogers/listening-is-a-very-active-awareness-of-the-coming-together-of-at/) [Fred Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-rogers/) > [we need not avoid our active lives, but simply bring to them a new vision and shift of gravity. for in the center we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-monk-kidd/we-need-not-avoid-our-active-lives-but-simply-bring-to-them-a-new/) [Sue Monk Kidd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-monk-kidd/) > [We in US need active intelligence: people being on the streets, people being able to stop and ask questions of individuals that they suspect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-guilfoyle/we-in-us-need-active-intelligence-people-being-on-the-streets-people/) [Kimberly Guilfoyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-guilfoyle/) > [Nothing is worse than active ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/nothing-is-worse-than-active-ignorance/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I eat healthy most of the time. Whole foods are the best for you when you are super active, so I get plenty of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/witney-carson/i-eat-healthy-most-of-the-time-whole-foods-are-the-best-for-you-when/) [Witney Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/witney-carson/) > [Art shows us how to see things that are constructive and good, and to be an active part of that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard-richter/art-shows-us-how-to-see-things-that-are-constructive-and-good-and-to/) [Gerhard Richter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard-richter/) > [Love, like truth and beauty, is concrete. Love is not fundamentally a sweet feeling; not, at heart, a matter of sentiment, attachment, or being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carter-heyward/love-like-truth-and-beauty-is-concrete-love-is-not-fundamentally-a/) [Carter Heyward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carter-heyward/) > [Studying Sol's interior by looking for analogous patterns on its incandescent face is known as helioseismology, an active - if largely unpronounceable - research…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/studying-sol-s-interior-by-looking-for-analogous-patterns-on-its/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) > [Science manipulates things and gives up living in them. It makes its own limited models of things; operating upon these indices or variables to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-merleau-ponty/science-manipulates-things-and-gives-up-living-in-them-it-makes-its/) [Maurice Merleau-Ponty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-merleau-ponty/) > [I stayed in L.A. long enough to get on my feet, and then I moved back to New York. The reason I moved here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iggy-pop/i-stayed-in-l-a-long-enough-to-get-on-my-feet-and-then-i-moved-back/) [Iggy Pop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iggy-pop/) > [The answer to any challenge you are having has nothing to do with God's willingness to help. It has to do with your acceptance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-beckwith/the-answer-to-any-challenge-you-are-having-has-nothing-to-do-with-god/) [Michael Beckwith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-beckwith/) > [Pete Townsend for me was a huge influence. Because essentially they were a three-piece band and the way he structured his chords and took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-lifeson/pete-townsend-for-me-was-a-huge-influence-because-essentially-they/) [Alex Lifeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-lifeson/) > [There is an enemy. There is an intelligent, active, malign force working against us. Step one is to recognize this. This recognition alone is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pressfield/there-is-an-enemy-there-is-an-intelligent-active-malign-force-working/) [Steven Pressfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pressfield/) > [Few, if any, creatures are equally active all night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/few-if-any-creatures-are-equally-active-all-night/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [You need to enjoy yourself and just get into the routine of keeping fit and enjoying being active. That's always easier once you've made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-brownlee/you-need-to-enjoy-yourself-and-just-get-into-the-routine-of-keeping/) [Alistair Brownlee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-brownlee/) [Browse all 2,212 Active quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/active/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "But once you become active in something, something happens to you. 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