Attention Quote by Thomas Merton
“I had refused to pay any attention to the moral laws upon which all our vitality and sanity depend: and so now I was reduced to the condition of a silly old woman, worrying about a lot of imaginary rules of health, standards of food-value, and a thousand minute details of conduct that were in themselves completely ridiculous and stupid, and yet which haunted me with vague and terrific sanctions. If I eat this, I may go out of my mind. If I do not eat that, I may die in the night.”
About This Quote
The narrator describes being overwhelmed by obsessive health rules, feeling trapped by irrational fears about food and health, leading to a loss of vitality.
In simple terms: Obsessive health rules cause anxiety and loss of vitality.
Key Takeaway
Question and release irrational health fears.
Themes
anxiety
health obsession
mental health
self-doubt
overanalysis
Mood
anxious
reflective
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- dietary choices
- mental health therapy
- daily routines
Key Concepts
psychology
behavioral health
mindfulness
self-care
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you identify irrational health beliefs?
- What steps can restore balanced living?
A Different Perspective
Rigid rules can harm well‑being more than help.
![“I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with [my wife] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer. And I was really emotionally - I felt really grounded at that time. And so to be in this prayer and the imam is doing the prayer in…” quote by Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d31/mahershala-ali-6687_attention_i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with_3083.jpg)
