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"智慧的声音被恐惧的咆哮淹没了。"

Karl A. Menninger
Karl A. Menninger Psychiatrist
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Quote meaning
When fear takes over, it can overwhelm our rational thinking. That’s the essence of the quote. Our brain’s voice of wisdom and logic gets silenced by anxiety and panic. This isn’t just a philosophical idea — it’s something that happens to most of us at one time or another.

Think about a time in history that perfectly illustrates this. During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, the world teetered on the brink of nuclear war. The fear of annihilation was palpable. But in the midst of this panic, calm and rational decision-making was crucial. President Kennedy and his advisors had to sift through the fear and listen to the voice of intelligence to make decisions that would avoid catastrophe. They had to stay focused, despite the fear that was roaring around them, and it worked. They managed to defuse the situation and avoid a nuclear disaster.

Now, let's look at a real-life example that might hit closer to home. Imagine you’re at work and there’s a sudden, massive change in company structure. Layoffs are announced. Fear grips the office. You feel it too — that sinking feeling in your stomach, the racing thoughts. It's easy to panic and start imagining the worst. But then there’s that colleague of yours, let's call her Sarah. Sarah takes a deep breath, sits down with her laptop, and begins to assess the situation calmly. She reaches out to her network, updates her resume, and starts applying for jobs. She doesn't let fear dictate her actions. Instead, she listens to that quiet, intelligent voice that guides her next steps logically and systematically.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your life? The next time you feel fear rising, pause. Take a few deep breaths. Try to identify the source of your fear and challenge it. Ask yourself: What’s the worst that could happen? How likely is that outcome? What can I do to prevent it or cope with it if it does happen? This kind of questioning can help you turn down the volume on fear and amplify the voice of intelligence.

Here’s a relatable story. Imagine you’re about to give a big presentation at work. You’ve prepared for weeks, but as you step up to the podium, fear washes over you. You can feel your heart pounding in your chest. You start to worry you’ll forget everything, that you’ll stutter or that your mind will go blank. But then you remember the advice about listening to your intelligence. You take a deep breath and remind yourself that you know this material inside and out. You think about all the practice sessions you did, all the positive feedback you’ve received. Slowly but surely, the fear starts to recede. The voice of your intelligence — the one that knows you’re prepared and capable — gets louder. You begin your presentation, and it goes smoothly.

Fear is always going to be a part of our lives, but it doesn’t have to control us. By acknowledging it and consciously deciding to listen to the voice of intelligence instead, we can navigate through difficult situations more effectively. Next time you’re in a high-stress situation, remember the Cuban Missile Crisis, think about Sarah, and take a deep breath. Your intelligence is there, waiting to guide you.
Related tags
Anxiety Decision making Emotions Fear Human nature Inner voice Intelligence Perception Psychology Wisdom
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