Life Is What We Make It - Grandma Moses
Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be. — Grandma Moses
—What lingers after this line?
Personal Responsibility
This quote emphasizes the idea that individuals hold the power to shape their lives through their choices and actions. It suggests that we are responsible for our own happiness and success.
Agency and Empowerment
Grandma Moses highlights the importance of taking control of one’s life. It implies that rather than being passive recipients of circumstances, we have the agency to create our own paths.
Consistency of Life's Nature
The phrase 'always has been, always will be' suggests that this principle is timeless. Throughout history, the ability to influence our lives has been a constant aspect of the human experience.
Optimism and Hope
This quote carries a hopeful message, encouraging individuals to view life as a canvas they can paint. It promotes a positive outlook that reinforces the idea that change is possible through effort.
Historical Context of Grandma Moses
Grandma Moses, an American folk artist from the early 20th century, began painting in her seventies. Her life story and artistic journey exemplify the themes of perseverance, creativity, and self-creation reflected in this quote.
Recommended Reading
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
One-minute reflection
Where does this idea show up in your life right now?
Related Quotes
6 selectedLife is what we make it, always has been, always will be. — Eleanor Roosevelt, USA.
Eleanor Roosevelt, USA.
This quote emphasizes the importance of personal agency and responsibility. It suggests that individuals have the power to shape their own lives through their decisions and actions.
Read full interpretation →Your life is yours to live; make it a masterpiece. — Maya Angelou, United States.
Maya Angelou, United States.
This quote emphasizes the idea of taking ownership of one’s life. It reinforces the belief that individuals are responsible for the choices they make and the direction of their lives.
Read full interpretation →Suffering is universal. But victimhood is optional. — Edith Eger
Edith Eger
Edith Eger’s line begins by naming what no life escapes: suffering arrives through loss, illness, disappointment, and injustice, often without warning or consent. By calling it universal, she removes the illusion that pa...
Read full interpretation →Action isn't just the effect of motivation; it's also the cause of it. — Mark Manson
Mark Manson
Mark Manson’s line challenges a familiar assumption: that we must first feel inspired, confident, or ready before we can act. Instead, he argues that action can be the spark rather than the reward.
Read full interpretation →Write your own part. It's the only way to get exactly what you want. — Mindy Kaling
Mindy Kaling
Mindy Kaling’s advice reads like a simple directive, but it carries a larger philosophy: if you want a role that truly fits you, you may have to create it. Rather than waiting for permission or perfect circumstances, she...
Read full interpretation →If you do not take charge of your own mind, someone else will. — Sadhguru
Sadhguru
Sadhguru’s line frames the mind as a powerful instrument that will not remain neutral for long. If you don’t direct it with intention, it tends to be directed by external forces—advertising, social pressure, fear-driven...
Read full interpretation →More From Author
More from Grandma Moses →