--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have a beautiful desk. I rarely sit…" description: "\"I have a beautiful desk. I rarely sit behind it. That's not where my job is. My job is in the community.\" — Ted Wheeler" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eeb/ted-wheeler-5816_beautiful_i-have-a-beautiful-desk-i-rarely-sit-beh_1858618.jpg" --- # I have a beautiful desk. I rarely sit behind it. That's… ![“I have a beautiful desk. I rarely sit behind it. That's not where my job is. My job is in the community.” quote by Ted Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eeb/ted-wheeler-5816_beautiful_i-have-a-beautiful-desk-i-rarely-sit-beh_1858618.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eeb/ted-wheeler-5816_beautiful_i-have-a-beautiful-desk-i-rarely-sit-beh_1858618.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eeb/ted-wheeler-5816_beautiful_i-have-a-beautiful-desk-i-rarely-sit-beh_1858618.jpg) > “I have a beautiful desk. I rarely sit behind it. That's not where my job is. My job is in the community.” [Ted Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-wheeler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Physical office space is less important than community engagement; the real work happens among people, not behind a desk. **In simple terms:** Desk is symbolic; real work is in the community. Key Takeaway Prioritize community interaction over formal settings. Themes public service community building leadership place-based work Mood engaged optimistic Type political motivational When to use this quote - city council meetings - neighborhood forums - volunteer coordination Key Concepts civic engagement urban planning grassroots organizing Questions to Reflect On - How can leaders stay connected to community needs? - What tools help bridge office work and community presence? A Different Perspective Remote work can reduce face‑to‑face community ties. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Beautiful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beautiful/) [Community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/community/) [Job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/job/) ## Related quotes > [When I'm by myself, I'm not threatening at all. I get many more invitations than I would if I were traveling with anyone else,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-gelman/when-i-m-by-myself-i-m-not-threatening-at-all-i-get-many-more/) [Rita Gelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-gelman/) > [I never plan a structure. I like surprises. I'm quite disciplined and sit at my desk every day and just write.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-downham/i-never-plan-a-structure-i-like-surprises-i-m-quite-disciplined-and/) [Jenny Downham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-downham/) > [Most people dream a dream when they are asleep. But to be a writer, you have to dream while you are awake, intentionally. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/most-people-dream-a-dream-when-they-are-asleep-but-to-be-a-writer-you/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [Novelists in particular love to rhapsodize about the glory of the solitary mind; this is natural, because their job requires them to sit in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-thompson/novelists-in-particular-love-to-rhapsodize-about-the-glory-of-the/) [Clive Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-thompson/) > [I could sit down and give USADA my opinions on it, but I want to say they've done a great job. Guys like me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-masvidal/i-could-sit-down-and-give-usada-my-opinions-on-it-but-i-want-to-say/) [Jorge Masvidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-masvidal/) > [When somebody was looking in my locker, it was like going in my desk. Somebody happened to be looking in my locker when they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-bonilla/when-somebody-was-looking-in-my-locker-it-was-like-going-in-my-desk/) [Bobby Bonilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-bonilla/) > [Ireland starts for me with the end of 'The Dead,' which my father read to me from his desk in his basement office in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-jeremiah-sullivan/ireland-starts-for-me-with-the-end-of-the-dead-which-my-father-read/) [John Jeremiah Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-jeremiah-sullivan/) > [I write at a desk. I have a room of my own where I can have my computer. I write in there, usually directly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eve-bunting/i-write-at-a-desk-i-have-a-room-of-my-own-where-i-can-have-my/) [Eve Bunting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eve-bunting/) > [“At least the tears on my desk wipe away the dust that's covered this place”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-boddie/at-least-the-tears-on-my-desk-wipe-away-the-dust-that-s-covered-this/) Andrew Boddie > [“I’d much rather watch people do what they do than talk to them across a desk.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcphee/i-d-much-rather-watch-people-do-what-they-do-than-talk-to-them-across/) [John McPhee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcphee/) > [A handwritten Declaration of Independence was on my bedroom wall and the Founding Fathers were above my desk in college.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-auchincloss/a-handwritten-declaration-of-independence-was-on-my-bedroom-wall-and/) [Jake Auchincloss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-auchincloss/) > [I've always had a picture of the White House and it would always sit right in front of my desk. Whenever I was having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-grisham/i-ve-always-had-a-picture-of-the-white-house-and-it-would-always-sit/) [Stephanie Grisham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-grisham/) > [I didn't want to spend my life behind a desk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gilpin/i-didn-t-want-to-spend-my-life-behind-a-desk/) John Gilpin > [When you hear of somebody named Goldberg, you think of a guy sitting behind a desk investing your money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-goldberg/when-you-hear-of-somebody-named-goldberg-you-think-of-a-guy-sitting/) [Bill Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-goldberg/) > [“Yes, when I get big and have my own home, no plush chairs and lace curtains for me. And no rubber plants. I'll have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-smith/yes-when-i-get-big-and-have-my-own-home-no-plush-chairs-and-lace/) [Betty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-smith/) ## More by Ted Wheeler > [We have an obligation at the local level to do everything we can with the resources we have. And we do those things. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-wheeler/we-have-an-obligation-at-the-local-level-to-do-everything-we-can-with/) [Ted Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-wheeler/) > [The City of Portland, our police bureau, and our employees do not cooperate with ICE.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-wheeler/the-city-of-portland-our-police-bureau-and-our-employees-do-not/) [Ted Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-wheeler/) > [I don't even recognize myself sometimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-wheeler/i-don-t-even-recognize-myself-sometimes/) [Ted Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-wheeler/) > [Is Portland worse off than other cities? Is Portland really 'Tent City U.S.A.?' I want to be clear: The answer is no. While the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-wheeler/is-portland-worse-off-than-other-cities-is-portland-really-tent-city/) [Ted Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-wheeler/) > [We don't know what the trajectory of autonomous or linked vehicles will be, and we don't have a clear understanding on what that means…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-wheeler/we-don-t-know-what-the-trajectory-of-autonomous-or-linked-vehicles/) [Ted Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-wheeler/) > [I did not inherit a single dime from my father.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-wheeler/i-did-not-inherit-a-single-dime-from-my-father/) [Ted Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-wheeler/) > [I certainly didn't see the mayor's withdrawal coming. I was looking for a highly contested mayoral campaign.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-wheeler/i-certainly-didn-t-see-the-mayor-s-withdrawal-coming-i-was-looking/) [Ted Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-wheeler/) > [Peaceful demonstrations are essential to our democratic system. Unfortunately, some individuals have engaged in unlawful and dangerous activity, including arson, rioting, looting, and damaging…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-wheeler/peaceful-demonstrations-are-essential-to-our-democratic-system/) [Ted Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-wheeler/) > [The police should be focused on policing criminal activity, and that's sort of the beginning, the middle and the end of it for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-wheeler/the-police-should-be-focused-on-policing-criminal-activity-and-that-s/) [Ted Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-wheeler/) > [Homelessness is an umbrella term for a lot of different problems that need separate solutions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-wheeler/homelessness-is-an-umbrella-term-for-a-lot-of-different-problems-that/) [Ted Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-wheeler/) > [There's no question that, in nearly seven weeks of nightly demonstrations, the police have done many things right, and they've done some things wrong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-wheeler/there-s-no-question-that-in-nearly-seven-weeks-of-nightly/) [Ted Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-wheeler/) > [I was very clear that we'd invest much more in shelter space to get people off the streets, out of doorways, out from overpasses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-wheeler/i-was-very-clear-that-we-d-invest-much-more-in-shelter-space-to-get/) [Ted Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-wheeler/) > [Wishful thinking did not give Oregonians the bottle bill. Wishful thinking did not give the public access to beaches. Nor can we expect wishful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-wheeler/wishful-thinking-did-not-give-oregonians-the-bottle-bill-wishful/) [Ted Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-wheeler/) > [Too often, the very institutions that are supposed to protect and serve our community have instead failed people of color, specifically our black community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-wheeler/too-often-the-very-institutions-that-are-supposed-to-protect-and/) [Ted Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-wheeler/) > [I'm ready to fight, and I'm ready to make sure progressive includes progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-wheeler/i-m-ready-to-fight-and-i-m-ready-to-make-sure-progressive-includes/) [Ted Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-wheeler/) [Explore all 100 Ted Wheeler quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-wheeler/) ## More Beautiful quotes > [I received a beautiful welcome to the world of music. I want to give something back to the younger generation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luciano-pavarotti/i-received-a-beautiful-welcome-to-the-world-of-music-i-want-to-give/) [Luciano Pavarotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luciano-pavarotti/) > [Being beautiful comes naturally!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-beautiful-comes-naturally/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My school was one of the most beautiful places a child can grow up in. You are surrounded by nature - cats, dogs, birds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amala-akkineni/my-school-was-one-of-the-most-beautiful-places-a-child-can-grow-up-in/) [Amala Akkineni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amala-akkineni/) > [“do not misunderstand person by beauty You really do not know its real or Mask on dirty thoughts”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohammed-zaki-ansari/do-not-misunderstand-person-by-beauty-you-really-do-not-know-its-real/) [Mohammed Zaki Ansari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohammed-zaki-ansari/) > [In the hearing world, I'm constantly having to lip-read and trying to understand what's going on. Sign language is so beautiful. It gives you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/in-the-hearing-world-i-m-constantly-having-to-lip-read-and-trying-to/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [The more perfect the sight is the more delightful the beautiful object. The more perfect the appetite, the sweeter the food. The more musical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-baxter/the-more-perfect-the-sight-is-the-more-delightful-the-beautiful/) [Richard Baxter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-baxter/) > [Call her beautiful a million times and she won't believe you. Call her ugly once, and she will never forget it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tumblr/call-her-beautiful-a-million-times-and-she-won-t-believe-you-call-her/) Tumblr > [You will never know just how beautiful you are to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-will-never-know-just-how-beautiful-you-are-to-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You felt a deep sorrow, the kind of melancholy you feel when you're in a beautiful place and the sun is going down](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thrity-umrigar/you-felt-a-deep-sorrow-the-kind-of-melancholy-you-feel-when-you-re-in/) [Thrity Umrigar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thrity-umrigar/) > [ Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three \[great teachers\] did not… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-the-arts-since-the-medium-is/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [You're beautiful, cute, pretty, gorgeous, and fuck.. I ran out of words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raghib-clitso/you-re-beautiful-cute-pretty-gorgeous-and-fuck-i-ran-out-of-words/) [Raghib Clitso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raghib-clitso/) > [Growing up in Iceland, it was very beautiful, very safe, but quite isolated. There was something about jazz music that had a way of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laufey/growing-up-in-iceland-it-was-very-beautiful-very-safe-but-quite/) [Laufey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laufey/) > [How could you feel worthless when God has honoured you by creating you and choosing you to be with Him, in this life and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasmin-mogahed/how-could-you-feel-worthless-when-god-has-honoured-you-by-creating/) [Yasmin Mogahed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasmin-mogahed/) > [Sometimes it's about less is more. It's about the seed. Thinking about this gigantic tree that you think is so beautiful but it started…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-durst/sometimes-it-s-about-less-is-more-it-s-about-the-seed-thinking-about/) [Fred Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-durst/) > [God's Word does provide life lessons to teach us how to live. And it gives us beautiful poetry that gives voice to our human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-rothschild/god-s-word-does-provide-life-lessons-to-teach-us-how-to-live-and-it/) [Jennifer Rothschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-rothschild/) [Browse all 17,976 Beautiful quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beautiful/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I have a beautiful desk. I rarely sit behind it. That's not where my job is. My job is in the community.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ted Wheeler" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-wheeler/i-have-a-beautiful-desk-i-rarely-sit-behind-it-that-s-not-where-my/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Beautiful" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-wheeler/i-have-a-beautiful-desk-i-rarely-sit-behind-it-that-s-not-where-my/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eeb/ted-wheeler-5816_beautiful_i-have-a-beautiful-desk-i-rarely-sit-beh_1858618.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eeb/ted-wheeler-5816_beautiful_i-have-a-beautiful-desk-i-rarely-sit-beh_1858618.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eeb/ted-wheeler-5816_beautiful_i-have-a-beautiful-desk-i-rarely-sit-beh_1858618.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I have a beautiful desk. I rarely sit behind it. That's not where my job is. My job is in the community.” — Ted Wheeler", "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": "Ted Wheeler", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-wheeler/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I have a beautiful desk. I...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-wheeler/i-have-a-beautiful-desk-i-rarely-sit-behind-it-that-s-not-where-my/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-wheeler/i-have-a-beautiful-desk-i-rarely-sit-behind-it-that-s-not-where-my/#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 } } ] } ```