The truth of the matter is - and I'm always a bit reluctant to say this because people think you're a bit unfeeling. The truth of this, on 9/11, people who - myself and others - were so unbelievably focused on what was happening that we were, for many, many hours, I think, spared the agony of loss.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Intense focus during crises can temporarily shield people from feeling grief.
- In plain terms
- Being busy with a crisis stops you from feeling sad immediately.
- What can you take from it?
- Focus can delay emotional pain.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When do you feel numb in crisis?
- How does focus protect emotions?
Another view
This may underestimate the long-term psychological toll.
More from Peter Jennings
On 9/11, those of us who do the jobs that I do, flew without a net for hour and hour and hour after end. And then you hope and pray that you've had the experie…
Permalink to quote #13 I was so focused on all of that, that it took me many hours, until my kids called, ironically. My kids both called and just left a little message that they wer…
Permalink to quote #15 When I came to the states in the mid 1960s - 1964, 1964 - I didn't think I'd be here maybe a couple years, going to have a great experience in the United State…
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