“Sometimes," Jem said, "our lives can change so fast that the change outpaces our minds and hearts. It's those times, I think, when our lives have altered but we still long for the time before everything was altered-- that is when we feel the greatest pain. I can tell you, though, from experience, you grow accustomed to it. You learn to live your new life, and you can't imagine, or even really remember, how things were before.”
Explore This Quote Further
Quote Analysis
In this quote by Cassandra Clare, Jem reflects on how quickly life can change, causing us to long for the past even as we adapt to our new reality. Jem suggests that while change can bring pain, we eventually grow accustomed to it and learn to live in our new circumstances. This quote highlights the bittersweet nature of change and adaptation in our lives.
Modern Relevance
In today's fast-paced world, change is a constant and often happens at such a rapid pace that it can be overwhelming. The quote by Cassandra Clare from "Clockwork Prince" about adapting to change and learning to live a new life resonates strongly with many individuals in modern society. It highlights the struggle of adjusting to a new reality while still longing for the familiarity of the past. This sentiment is particularly relatable in the digital age, where technological advancements and social changes can reshape our lives in ways we never imagined. Learning to adapt and embrace these changes is essential for personal growth and resilience in the face of an ever-evolving world.
Example of Usage
In this quote from Cassandra Clare's book, Jem reflects on the idea of how our lives can change so quickly that our minds and hearts struggle to keep up. He explains how we may long for the time before everything changed, but eventually, we learn to adapt to our new reality. This quote highlights the resilience and adaptability of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable change.
Reflection Questions
This quote by Cassandra Clare highlights the inevitability of change and the process of adapting to a new reality. Reflecting on this can lead to introspective thoughts about personal experiences and growth. Here are some questions to ponder:
- Can you relate to a time in your life when change happened quickly, leaving you longing for the past?
- How have you learned to cope with transitions and adapt to new circumstances?
- What strategies or coping mechanisms have helped you navigate through periods of significant change?
- Have there been times when you have felt stuck or unable to move forward after a major life event? How did you overcome this?
- Reflect on a specific example where you have grown accustomed to a new reality. How has this experience shaped your perspective on change and resilience?
Similar quotes
“Sometimes our lives can change so fast that the change outpaces our minds and hearts.”
“I didn't think about how it might have changed me. But I watched my brothers give their hearts away and I think, Don't you know better? Hearts are breakable and I think even when you heal, you're never what you were before.”
“So you don't ever get angry at him?"Jem laughed out loud. "I would hardly say that. Sometimes I want to strangle him.""How on earth do you prevent yourself?""I go to my favorite place in London," said Jem, "and I stand and look at the water, and I think about the continuity of life, and how the river rolls on, oblivious of the petty upsets in our lives."Tessa was fascinated. "Does that work?""Not really, but after that I think about how I could kill him while he slept if I really wanted to, and then I feel better.”
“Look, Simon, Luke thinks you should tell your mom. You can't hide it from her forever.""I can damn well try.""Think about Luke," she said desperately. "You can still live a normal life.""And what about us? Do you want a vampire boyfriend?" He laughed bitterly. "Because I foresee many romantic picnics in our future. You, drinking a virgin pina colada. Me, drinking the blood of a virgin.”
“I have heard sometimes that men who lose an arm of a leg still feel that pain in those limbs, though they are gone,' said Will. 'It is like that sometimes. I can feel Jem with me, though he is gone, and it is like I am missing a part of myself.”
“That Jem makes beautiful things and I destroy them. That it really ought to be me dying and not him. I mean, what's the point of living if you can't even enjoy it? Yet Jem enjoys all the life he's got. It's not fair.”