Get Started
Home Authors Tags

"私たちの人生で重要なことのほとんどは私たちの不在の間に起こります"

Salman Rushdie
Salman Rushdie Author
Translations
🇺🇸 English 🇨🇳 中文 🇪🇸 Español 🇪🇬 العربية 🇫🇷 Français 🇮🇷 فارسی 🇯🇵 日本語
Quote meaning
Imagine you're sitting in your favorite coffee shop, catching up with a close friend. You lean in and start talking about something pretty profound. You say, "You know, most of what really counts in our lives happens when we’re not there to witness it." Your friend nods, a bit puzzled, so you dive deeper.

Here’s the gist of it: A lot of the significant stuff that shapes our lives—like the decisions others make about us, the opportunities that come our way, even some of the challenges we face—happens behind the scenes. We’re not always in the room when the big decisions go down. And that’s kinda mind-blowing when you think about it.

Take a look back at some of history’s big moments. Think about the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. The world's fate was hanging in the balance while President Kennedy and his advisors deliberated in closed rooms. The average person had no clue their lives were teetering on the edge of nuclear war. They were at home, having dinner, unaware of the high-stakes game being played out of sight. Decisions made in those hidden meetings shaped the course of history—and everyone’s lives—without them even knowing.

Now, let’s bring it to a personal level. Imagine you’re up for a promotion at work. You’ve put in the hours, nailed your projects, and built great rapport with your team. But the decision of whether you get that bump in your career is made in a closed-door meeting. You’re not there to argue your case or see how your manager fights for you. It's kinda like throwing a message in a bottle into the ocean—you hope it reaches the other side and gets the right attention.

So, how can you make this wisdom work for you? First off, focus on what you can control. Do your best work, build strong relationships, and maintain your integrity because those elements speak for you when you can’t be in the room. Second, trust in the process, even if it feels like a black box. And lastly, don’t stress over the uncontrollable. Worrying about all the unseen decisions can drive you nuts. Instead, invest that energy into what you can shape.

Picture this: You’re a kid again, waiting to see if you made the school soccer team. You’ve practiced hard, attended every tryout, and even helped out the coach. But now, the decision is in someone else’s hands, made in a meeting you’re not part of. You’re munching on your cereal, watching cartoons, while the coach and teachers decide your fate. You’re absent from that crucial moment, yet your efforts and attitude have already built your case.

So, next time you’re feeling out of the loop, remember that this isn’t a unique experience—it’s part of life’s grand design. Keep showing up, doing your best, and trusting that the unseen gears of life will turn in your favor. Even if you’re not physically there, your presence—your work, your reputation, your kindness—still speaks volumes. Embrace it, and let the rest unfold.

Hope that makes sense, buddy. Sometimes the most important stuff happens when we least expect it—or even know about it.
Related tags
Existentialism Human experience Introspection Life's meaning Mindfulness Personal growth Philosophy Reflection Self-awareness Subconscious
MORE QUOTES BY Salman Rushdie
FEATURED QUOTES
Surprise me with another quote
Instagram Icon Facebook Icon X Icon Threads Icon