You know, that idea from Brene Brown about how “We risk missing out on joy…” is so true. It’s a powerful reminder that constantly hunting for big, flashy highs can actually blind us to the simple, beautiful moments that make up a happy life. It’s about shifting your focus from the extraordinary to the ordinary magic that’s already there.
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Meaning
At its heart, this quote is a warning against the trap of relentless pursuit. It suggests that our obsession with creating or capturing spectacular experiences can ironically be the very thing that robs us of genuine, everyday contentment.
Explanation
Let me break this down a bit. I’ve seen this play out so many times, both in my own life and with people I’ve worked with. We get this idea that joy is something we have to earn, something that only exists on the other side of a major achievement or a perfect vacation. So we’re always chasing, you know? Head down, grinding. But here’s the kicker—real joy, the sustainable kind, is almost always quiet. It’s in the five minutes of quiet with your morning coffee, the stupid joke your kid tells, the feeling of the sun on your skin during a walk. When you’re hyper-focused on the extraordinary, you’re not present for those micro-moments. And that’s where the good stuff lives. It’s a subtle but profound shift from being a chaser to being a receiver.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (4154) |
| Category | Emotion (204) |
| Topics | gratitude (77), presence (89) |
| Literary Style | poetic (755) |
| Emotion / Mood | gentle (199) |
| Overall Quote Score | 77 (181) |
Origin & Factcheck
This wisdom comes straight from Brene Brown’s 2012 book, Daring Greatly, which was published in the United States. It’s a core part of her research on vulnerability and wholehearted living. You sometimes see similar sentiments floating around the internet unattributed, but this specific phrasing is definitively hers.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Brene Brown (257) |
| Source Type | Book (4792) |
| Source/Book Name | Daring Greatly (39) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1995) |
| Original Language | English (4154) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4792) |
Author Bio
Dr Brene Brown is the author of books such as Daring Greatly and The Power of Vulnerability. The TED talk and Netflix production based on her research reached out to millions of audience. She researches effects of courage and vulnerability in shaping people's work and relationships. She leads the Brené Brown Education and Research Group and provides evidence-based insights into practical tools to help people train themselves
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Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | We risk missing out on joy when we’re too busy chasing down extraordinary moments |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2012; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9781592407330; Last edition. Number of pages: 287. |
| Where is it? | Approximate page from 2012 Gotham edition |
