Quote

Why do we attach value to some things that usually have nothing to do with it? Why do we experience fear and shake in our boots when we step in the dark? Let’s try to explain it using this catching quote by Jean Kwok, “Girl in Translation”.

“Because when something is not realistic, it becomes a container for whatever you want it to be. Like a word or a symbol or a vase. You can pour anything you want into it.”

To begin with, I have chosen this particular quote because it is metaphorical. It’s absolutely beautiful. It says that people are able to create something meaningful from an unrealistic thing. And to believe it too. Why do we tend to attach significance to some things? It happens so, because these things really mean something to us. It can be whatever we want it to be: from a sweet memory to a simple mascot.

Mostly our imagination lies behind our fears and beliefs. People attach value to some things because these things help them to go through some difficulties. However, it doesn’t only have a positive side. Unconsciously, we can let a fear settle in our head. And, certainly, this fear is unrealistic. It consists of our worries and phobias.

Other than that, we can make ourselves think that something is meaningful to achieve our goals, to get hold of something that we want. This way mascots work. We take this container and pour our motivation and belief into there. When we struggle through something difficult, we think about this container and it makes us stronger because we know that we can do it. This thing becomes a symbol of our success. Psychologically we think this way.

All in all, it is necessary to bear in mind that every unrealistic thing becomes a receptacle for our feelings. So we have to do everything with a great care. It is easy to believe in something unrealistic and make it a helpful thing, so is with negative things, for example, fears.