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For the most part we humans live with the false impression of security and a feeling of being at home in a seemingly trustworthy physical and human environment. But when the expected course of everyday life is interrupted, we are like shipwrecked people on a miserable plank in the open sea, having forgotten where they came from and not knowing whither they are drifting. But once we fully accept this, life becomes easier and there is no longer any disappointment.

Albert Einstein#41

LifePsychologyAcceptanceDisappointmentExpectationsInsecurity

About this quote

What does it mean?
Einstein says accepting the insecurity of life makes it easier and removes disappointment.
In plain terms
Accepting that life is unsafe helps you stop being disappointed.
What can you take from it?
Embrace insecurity to avoid disappointment in life.

Where it applies

  • personal crises
  • daily life challenges
  • grief

Putting it to work

  • practicing acceptance
  • adjusting expectations
  • coping with loss

Questions to consider

  • How do you handle uncertainty?
  • Can acceptance reduce pain?

Another view

Acceptance does not change external dangers, only internal reaction.

More from Albert Einstein

  1. I fully agree with you about the significance and educational value of methodology as well as history and philosophy of science. So many people today - and eve…

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  2. The position in which we are now is a very strange one which in general political life never happened. Namely, the thing that I refer to is this: To have secur…

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  3. Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater.

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