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"你不能把恐惧关在门外。但你可以了解它。你可以对它说,‘我会绕过你’。"

Salman Rushdie
Salman Rushdie Author
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Quote meaning
Fear is something we all experience. It's that nagging feeling in the pit of your stomach when you're about to do something new or challenging. The quote here is all about acknowledging that fear is inevitable, but it doesn't have to control you. Instead of trying to completely eliminate fear—because let's be real, that's impossible—you can learn to understand it, converse with it, and then figure out how to move past it.

Historically, we can see this concept pop up time and again. Think about soldiers in wartime. They don't have the luxury to be fearless. They feel the fear, recognize it, and use it to make strategic decisions. The same goes for athletes before a big game—they know the fear is there, but they talk themselves through it, focusing instead on their preparation and skills to get around it.

A real-life example that hits home for many is public speaking. Picture this: you're about to give a presentation to a room full of people. Your palms sweat, your heart races. You can't just shut that fear off. But you can say, "Okay, fear, I see you. But I've prepared for this. I know my material. I'm going to do this anyway." By acknowledging the fear and still moving forward, you’re teaching yourself to navigate around it.

So, how do you apply this wisdom in your own life? Start by recognizing when you're afraid. Don't push that feeling away or pretend it doesn't exist—that's counterproductive. Instead, have a little mental chat with your fear. Ask yourself why you’re scared and what’s the worst that could realistically happen. Then, focus on the steps you need to take to achieve your goal despite the fear. It's about making a plan and following through with it, fear and all.

Imagine you’re at a coffee shop with a friend who’s just been offered a job interview for their dream job. It's a big leap, and they're terrified. You could tell them to just calm down, but that’s not really helpful, is it? Instead, you say, "Hey, it’s okay to be scared. This is a big deal for you. But think about why you’re scared. Is it because you really want this job and you're afraid of failing? That’s normal. Now, let’s talk about how you can prepare for this interview. What research can you do about the company? Let’s practice some common interview questions. You're scared, but you’re also ready for this."

By the end of the conversation, your friend might still be nervous, but they’re also equipped with a plan and the knowledge that being afraid doesn’t disqualify them from success. They can look at their fear, address it, and then maneuver around it.

In essence, the key takeaway is that fear isn’t the enemy. It’s a companion on your journey—sometimes annoying, sure, but not unbeatable. By getting to know it and figuring out your way around it, you can accomplish the things that matter most to you, fear and all. It’s about making peace with the presence of fear and not letting it dictate your actions. This approach can transform the way you handle challenges, making you more resilient and determined in the face of adversity.
Related tags
Courage Fear Inner dialogue Mental strength Mindfulness Overcoming Perseverance Personal growth Resilience Self-awareness
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