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"كل شخص، في أعماق قلبه، ينتظر قدوم نهاية العالم."

Haruki Murakami
Haruki Murakami Novelist
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Quote meaning
Deep down, most of us are on edge about what tomorrow might bring, especially when we think of the world coming to an end. This idea taps into a universal feeling — a kind of lurking fear that maybe everything we know could just... stop. It's not really about the earth crumbling away, but more about big changes that shake our lives to the core.

Historically, humans have always been a bit obsessed with doomsday. Ancient cultures had their own end-of-the-world myths. The Vikings believed in Ragnarok, a series of events leading to the death of gods and the rebirth of the world. Even now, popular culture is full of apocalyptic tales. Think about how many movies and books are set in a post-apocalyptic world — it's like we can't get enough of imagining what happens after everything falls apart.

Take the Y2K scare as a real-life example. Remember that? People genuinely thought the world might end when the year 2000 hit. The fear was that computers would go haywire, planes might fall from the sky, and society would collapse overnight. I remember my own family stocking up on canned goods and water, just in case. It turned out to be nothing, but it showed just how deeply this fear can grip us.

So, how can we use this bit of wisdom in our daily lives? First off, recognize that it's natural to have these fears. They can nudge us to prepare better, to be more resilient. Instead of fearing chaos, we can use that energy to make sure we're ready for whatever might come. Stock up on essentials, have a plan for emergencies, but don't let it paralyze you.

Imagine you’re planning a big outdoor event. You’ve checked the weather, but there’s always that tiny nagging thought — what if it rains? Instead of stressing about it, you prepare a backup plan. Maybe rent a tent or have an indoor venue on standby. It’s the same principle. You acknowledge the fear of a disaster but don’t let it derail your main plan.

Here's a story to bring it home. Meet Jane. She’s a young entrepreneur launching her first startup. The fear of failure is almost crippling. What if she can’t get funding? What if the market crashes? Instead of letting these fears stop her, Jane uses them to fuel her preparations. She builds a solid business plan, secures multiple lines of credit, and keeps a close eye on market trends. She’s ready for the worst but aiming for the best.

In the end, we all have that little voice inside us, worrying about big changes or disasters. It’s okay. It's part of being human. The trick is to acknowledge it, prepare for the worst, but keep striving for the best. That way, even if the world does end — metaphorically speaking — you’re ready to face it head-on.
Related tags
Anxiety Apocalypse Despair End times Existentialism Fear Human nature Philosophy Psychology
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