"もしかしたら世界中のみんながお互いに怖がっているのかもしれない"
— John Steinbeck
Simplified Meaning:
People often act with fear toward others around them. They might not show it openly, but inside, they feel anxious or worried about how others see them. For example, think about starting a new job. You might be nervous about meeting new coworkers, afraid they might not like you or judge you. But those same coworkers are probably feeling the same way about meeting you. This means that many of us walk around feeling scared of what others might think, and that prevents us from being open and connecting easily. If we understand that everyone has these fears, we can start to be kinder to each other, make the first move, and try to break down those barriers. By realizing that others are just as scared as we are, it becomes easier to reach out and form good relationships.