优文社整理的中学生英语励志演讲稿（精选14篇），快来看看吧，希望对您有所帮助。
中学生英语励志演讲稿 篇1
honorable judges and dear friends, my name is maer dongyan, i’m very happytoday to stand here to share my speech, my imagination, and my story as an airtraffic controller with all of you.
i, as a 35-year-old air traffic controller, have been working on the towerfor nearly ten years. through these years’ working, i really come to love thisjob. besides, as the husband of my beloved, the father of my 8-year-olddaughter, and the son of my old parents, i also love my family, a happyfamily.
however, it has been really hard to coordinate my work and my family.
it’s generally considered great to be an air traffic controller by thepublic, for the job is believed to be well-paid and quite easy. i was also oneof them before i started the work. but things have been entirely different fromwhat i used to think. as an air traffic controller of the new century, we’refacing tasks and barriers greater and harder than ever, that is, we have toensure the safety and order of the fast-developing civil aviation. we’reburdened with pressure, responsibilities, the trust of hundreds of pilots, thelives of tens of thousands of passengers, and the hopes of millions of families.every step we take, every word we say is connected to the safety of passengers.and disasters may occur if we’re even a little bit careless. then, how can thatbe easy?
as a man who owns a family, i also have to take care of my family. still,it isn’t that easy. since i took the job 10 years ago, i haven’t had enough timeto be with my family. so many festivals have i spend with microphones, but notmy family and friends, just because my job needs me. so many times have my wifecomplained about my returning home late and having meals outside often, justbecause my job needs me. and so many times, my mom or dad is sick in bed, but icannot be there with them in time, just because my job needs me. i cannot fullydevote myself to my family because my job needs me, a lot of people need me. andagain, as a man with a family, how can that be easy?
even though i’m not competent as a father, a husband, and a son, i stilllove my family. my daughter once said that it was her happiest time to see meback from work. and it’s the same with me. i’m pleased and grateful to see thatmy family can support and understand my work and my little devotion to them.
i have made many sacrifices as an air traffic controller. i really feelsorry for my family. but as i help pilots find their destinations under terribleweather conditions, and then hear “thanks” from them, i’m satisfied. and as isee planes taking off and landing safely, and make sure that hundreds morefamilies can get together, i’m comforted. i even seem to be able to see thehappy smiles on their faces.
such is my job, though i cannot enjoy much of the happiness my familybrings to me, i can e某perience the sense of responsibility through my work. i’llnever regret this, regret choosing my job. it is through these years that i knowwhat responsibility and devotion really mean. and it is through these years thati realize what family really means to me---supporting and understanding. ireally appreciate them.
with my family as an anchor for me, i firmly believe that i can overcomeall the difficulties on my way, and make a contribution to the cause of airtraffic control. and i believe, i am, and always will be a member of civilaviation, and my family as well.
that’s all for my speech today, thank you very much for your listening.
中学生英语励志演讲稿 篇2
One day in 1819, 3,000 miles off the coast of Chile, in one of the mostremote regions of the Pacific Ocean, 20 American sailors watched their shipflood with seawater. They'd been struck by a sperm whale, which had ripped a catastrophic holein the ship's hull. As their ship began to sink beneath the swells, the menhuddled together in three small whaleboats. These men were 10,000 miles from home, more than 1,000 miles from thenearest scrap of land. In their small boats, they carried only rudimentarynavigational equipment and limited supplies of food and water. These were the men of the whaleship Essex, whose story would later inspireparts of “Moby Dick.”
Even in today's world, their situation would be really dire, but thinkabout how much worse it would have been then. No one on land had any idea that anything had gone wrong. No search partywas coming to look for these men. So most of us have never experienced asituation as frightening as the one in which these sailors found themselves, butwe all know what it's like to be afraid. We know how fear feels, but I'm not sure we spend enough time thinkingabout what our fears mean. As we grow up, we're often encouraged to think of fear as a weakness, justanother childish thing to discard like baby teeth or roller skates. And I think it's no accident that we think this way. Neuroscientists haveactually shown that human beings are hard'wired to be optimists. So maybe that's why we think of fear, sometimes, as a danger in and ofitself. “Don't worry,” we like to say to one another.
“Don't panic.” In English,fear is something we conquer. It's something we fight. It's something we overcome. But what if we looked at fear in a fresh way?What if we thought of fear as an amazing act of the imagination, something thatcan be as profound and insightful as storytelling itself? It's easiest to see this link between fear and the imagination in youngchildren, whose fears are often extraordinarily vivid. When I was a child, I lived in California, which is, you know, mostly avery nice place to live, but for me as a child, California could also be alittle scary.
I remember how frightening it was to see the chandelier that hung above ourdining table swing back and forth during every minor earthquake, and I sometimescouldn't sleep at night, terrified that the Big One might strike while we weresleeping. And what we say about kids who have fears like that is that they have avivid imagination. But at a certain point, most of us learn to leave these kindsof visions behind and grow up. We learn that there are no monsters hiding under the bed, and not everyearthquake brings buildings down. But maybe it's no coincidence that some of ourmost creative minds fail to leave these kinds of fears behind as adults.
中学生英语励志演讲稿 篇3
When Henry ford decided to produce his famous v-8 motor, he chose to buildan engine with the entire eight cylinders cast in one block, and instructed hisengineers to produce a design in one for the engine. The design was placed onpaper, but the engineers agreed, to a man, that it was simply impossible to castan eight-cylinder engine-block in one piece.
Ford said, “Produce it anyway.”
“But,” they replied, “It’s impossible!”
“Go ahead.” Ford commanded, “And stay on the job until you succeed, nomatter how much time is required.”
The engineers went ahead. There was nothing else for them to do, if theywere to remain on the ford staff. Six months passed and nothing happened.Another six months passed, and still nothing happened. The engineers tried everyconceivable plan to carry out the orders, but the thing seemed out of thequestion:“impossible!”
At the end of the year ford checked with his engineers, and again theyinformed him they had found no way to carry out his orders.
“go right head,” said ford, “I want it, and I’ll have it.”
They went ahead, and then, as if by a stroke of magic, the secret wasdiscovered.
The ford determination had won once more!
This story may not be described with minute accuracy, but the sum andsubstance of it is correct. Deduce from it, you who wish to think and grow rich,the secret of the ford millions, if you can. You’ll not have to look veryfar.
Henry ford was successful, because he understood and applied the principlesof success. One of these is desire: knowing out the lines in which the secret ofhis stupendous achievement have been described. If you can do this, if you canlay your finger on the particular group of principles which made Henry fordrich, you can equal his achievements in almost any calling for which you aresuited.
中学生英语励志演讲稿 篇4
Hello, everyone ! My name is___ I’m from Class 1, I’m very happy to standhere to give you my free-talk. Today my topic is “To Be A Good Failure”.
I believe everyone has experienced a lot . We have done good things andalso bad things. When we do the bad things, we should not feel sad. We shouldlearn from failure ,learn from every mistake and learn how to be a good loser.That’s what I'll be talking about today. That's our lesson to learn. Let me tellyou why.
First, losing is a part of life. It is unavoidable. It is something we allmust face. Everybody loses sometimes. Every great person knows this truth. Sodon't be ashamed of losing. Losing doesn't mean you're a loser.
Second, don’t escape from it, just accept it. Losing is beneficial and canbe helpful to you. We just view it as a learning experience. Losing is a chanceto learn. You can learn how to try again and improve.
Third, practice makes perfect. Create challenges for yourself. Never beafraid of failure. Lose as much as you can. Losing only makes you better. Thatis a great secret of success.
In conclusion, remember these. You will be a good loser. It might bepainful at first. But it will get easier as you go along. You'll be respectedand admired. You'll feel so achievement to learn so much. You are not the realfailure ,you will be a winner in future.
中学生英语励志演讲稿 篇5
Hi, everyone! My name is xxx. Today my topic is: “I Love English”.
English is now used everywhere in the world, It has become the mostimportant language on internet. Learning English makse me confident and bringsme great pleasure. When I was eight , my father sent me to an English school. At there, Iplayed games and sang English song with other children. Then I discovered thebeauty of the language, and began my colorful dream in the English world. Every day, I read English following the tapes.
Sometimes, I like watchingEnglish movies for children, such as Finding Nemo, Harry Potter and so on. Thesemovies not only improved my English, but also gave me a lot of fun. OutlookEnglish also help me a lot in my English Studies, I have been watching thisprogram for nearly two years. I hope I can travel around the world someday. I want to go to America,because America is one of the most developed countries in the world. I also wantto go to England, because English originated in England. I love English, English has become part of my life. Do you like English, myfriends? If you do, come with me. Let’s enjoy the fun of learning English builtin a day.”
That’s all, thank you!
中学生英语励志演讲稿 篇6
the footsteps of the XX world expo is getting closer and closer to us, civilized and harmonious call is still ringing in my ears. shanghai, china obtained the right to host the world expo XX, expo XX shanghai china will be a world event, the development of shanghai's new round of golden opportunity, as it is an important embodiment of our national spirit.
world expo is a great influence and a long history ofinternational activities, is the largest gathering of human beings. people from around the world gathered in one place display their
products and skills, boast of their hometown and motherland. expo set the culmination of human civilization, which has a unique appeal, make you feel surging.world expo is a platform, we are the masters. she put up aplatform for us to let the world know us; she built a bridge for us, so we better communicate with the world. this platform may let us display self wantonly. we are the masters here, we have to landlord, let guest experience enthusiasm and happiness.
everyone to contribute for the expo, we are no exception, as a living piece of fertile land in pudong's teachers, we are proud and pride. in the vision of a better tomorrow, we have to do for the world expo will own a wonderful ability, we have through our hands, warm heart and sincerity to practical action to achieve the commitment of shanghai to the world. we should educate the many students: do not throw garbage anywhere, no spitting, no jaywalking ... ..., hello, thank you frequently mention, let the material on this city with the new york comparable to the spiritual civilization. educate our students to exciting XX, willing toshanghai's future by copies of power, if only planted a small tree, participants in the shanghai world expo foreign guests feel: this is a forest city, pollution-free city, ancient and civilized city. better city, better life! until the time of the XX expo, then, we want to become a glorious volunteers, to changing our foreign friends in shanghai and china's long history, about our education for the world expo will contribute their efforts.
we expect the majority of teachers will be great enthusiasm for the world expo into practical action to meet the world expo, the expo will be a total growth, and the city of development, the development of shanghai devote their efforts to advance hand in hand with shanghai.
中学生英语励志演讲稿 篇7
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen:
Bidding for the Olympic Games, in a way, an image-creating undertaking. The first and foremost thing is to let people fall in love with the city at first sight, attracting them by its unipue image. What image does Beijing
intend to create for itself once it has the opportunity to host the 20xx Olympics?
It is known to all that the Beijing Municipal Government has already set the theme for the future games: New Beijing,Great Olympics. For me, the 20xx Olympics will be a great green Olympics illuminated with two more special colors, yellow and red.
First, yellow is a meaningful color. The Yellow River is China's Mother River and the descendants of the Yellow Emperor. This color has a special origin and great significance for the Chinese people. Beijing is the capital of New China and previously the capital for nine dynasties in Chinese history. So, yellow will naturally add splendor to the 20xx Games.
Secondly, the 20xx Olympics will be a red pageant.Red is another traditionally cherished color for the whole country. We adore red. On big occasions, we like to decorate our homes in red. It is the color of double happiness, representing joyous moments, auspiciousness, enthusiasm and prosperity. Red is one of the most suitable colors to describe the future of Beijing . Beijing , together with the whole country, is becoming more and more prosperous in the process of modernization. Should the 20xx Olympics be held in Beijing, the whole city will be a sea of red : the red torch,red flags, red flowers, and the radiant faces of millions of joyful people.
Above all, the 20xx Olympics will be a green Olympics. Adding a green ingredient is essential in creating an appealing image, as we can't deny the fact that Beijing, at the moment, is not as green a city as what we like it to be. Striving for an environmentally appealing city has become a central task for all the citizens of Beijing. Big efforts have been made in pollution control, replanting and beautification of the city. According to a project entitled" The Green Olympic Action Plan", between 1998 and 20xx, Beijing, we have invested 100 billion RMB in preserving and protecting the environment. Some 12.5 million trees and over 1 million acres of grass will be planted along the Fourth Ring Road. By then, the city's green area will make up 40% of its total. The city will also dredge its reservoirs used as a water supply to Beijing residents, controlling industrial pollution and moving out the 200 factories presently located within the city proper.
Certainly, all of this is no easy task. But I am sure that all of us have confidence that we will realize these green goals. For now we have the full support and participation of the environmentally conscious citizens. Each citizen is showing great concern for every one of the steps the city government takes. As the saying goes, United, we stand, and a green Beijing will be achieved.
When our aspiration becomes a reality, it will be a unique Olympics." New Beijing, Great Olympics"; will be weaved of these three superb colors: yellow, red and green.
Let us welcome it and look forward to it! Thank you!
中学生英语励志演讲稿 篇8
Dear teachers and students
hello everyone!
Time reincarnation, all things update. A long and short first year of junior high school has passed. After a summer vacation, we have opened the door of the new semester together. Mr. Li Dazhao once said: the most interesting thing in life is to send the old to welcome the new, because the highest desire of mankind is to create life all the time. So, have you drawn a blueprint for the new semester, and have you made enough psychological preparations to welcome the arrival of the new semester?
The road is still yesterday's road, but the milestone is new; The song is still yesterday's song, but it's more beautiful today; The sun is still yesterday's sun, but it radiates a new light. When we look at the first sunrise in the East, should we check ourselves: is my dream still, is my heart still flying? We once had brilliance, but it has become a sweet memory beside our pillow; Perhaps, we have suffered setbacks, but it has become a few drops of bitter tears. Forget the past success and failure, we just need to engrave the experience and lessons in our heart, let the past glory inspire us, the past failure is just to set off the future success.
We are students of the Olympic class. "No best, only better" is our slogan, "higher, faster, stronger" is our purpose. In the classroom, you can easily see the students working hard, and you can also hear the voice of arguing about a problem... But "there is no best, only better". In the ocean of knowledge, we are never satisfied. Here, I have to mention the problem of partial discipline. Of course, there should be only a small number of students with this problem, but this problem is more likely to occur in the Olympic class than other classes. As we all know, this is a bad phenomenon, but individual students are not so handy because they have not laid a solid foundation for other subjects in primary school. As a result, they put all their mind on the subject of mathematics, striving to create their own world in this field, so they gave up other subjects. Here, I would like to introduce a story to you. The content is absolutely true. Some students may have read it, because it was published in Guangzhou Daily on August 27. It's about a high school student who ranked 29 in the second semester of senior high school. After a year's hard work, he won the first place in the class in the last mock exam and college entrance examination. He has always been poor in chemistry, but after making up his mind to work hard, he won the first place in the whole grade in only two months. In fact, he broke through his imagination and began to dream big. He said that there is a term in psychology called "self fulfilling prophecy", which means that if you believe you can do it, you can do it in the end; If you doubt that you can't do it, you will step back. He also said, "believe in your best results, because that's the realm you've reached. If you believe in it, then you'll get there again." and "don't care about an accidental failure, because if you care about this disorder, you believe in it, and it will become your negative prophecy and make you repeat it."
Another problem is the selection of characteristic classes. Our characteristic is: lively and self disciplined, but we haven't applied for it because we haven't done enough. Vivacity is what we have done. It seems that we have gone too far. But what about self-discipline? Discipline has always been our old problem, and it always comes back to life. In fact, I don't want to mention it again, because I know that everyone is tired of listening to it, and they all know how to do it, but they just can't do it. Have you ever thought that the words you unintentionally uttered in class have nothing to do with the class, and the laughter you unnaturally uttered in self-study class will affect not only yourself, but also the whole class. Don't you feel guilty if your fault affects the whole class? I won't say much about the general principle. We all know what we should do in our hearts. But why can't we do it? Is it just because we are addicted to playing and out of control for a while? I hope that this semester, we can apply for special classes. No matter whether we are qualified or not, as long as we have a clear conscience when we submit the materials, it will be our progress.
中学生英语励志演讲稿 篇9
If we changed the rules of football, greatly enlarged the goal and sent away David Seaman or any other goal keeper, so that another David, namely David Beckham, could score easily, then scoring would not give him the thrill of accomplishment and the joy that it brings. If we further changed the rules by not allowing Arsenal's defenders to defend, so that Beckham needed only to lift a finger, actually a toe, to score, then there would be no game at all, because the meaning of winning would have disappeared. In accepting the challenge, in surmounting the difficulties and in enduring the hardship, success acquires its value. The sense of attainment varies in proportion to the degree of difficulties on overcomes.
The concept of success is not constant but relative because the nature of difficulty is also relative. Something you do effortlessly might pose a great difficulty for a handicapped person. In acquiring the ability to do the same as you can, he or she achieve success. That's why we greatly admire Stephen Hawking, because, though confined to a wheel chair, he has contributed greatly to the field of science.
I myself, a rather shy person by nature who easily suffer from stage fright, had to pluck up great courage to take part in a speech contest like this. I could have stayed away and had an easy time of it by not entering the university level contest.But I chose to accept the challenge and to face the difficulties. Now here I am. If I come out first, it will be a great success for me. If I come out last-I hope this will not be the case-but if I come out last, I will not call my attempt a failure, but will also celebrate it as a true success, because part of my goal is my own character training-to do more assertive, to be brave in face of difficulties. For me, it is a meaningful step forward, small as it is, in the long journey toward the final success in my life, because I have truly gained by participating.
Let us return to our handsome young prince and the 4-step definition of success. You my have noticed that the usual worldly criteria of wealth, position and fame were not mentioned as part of the story, but rather, it emphasized the process of overcoming difficulties. The ancient wisdom had already defined the meaning of success, and this is my definition, too.
中学生英语励志演讲稿 篇10
Hello, Dear teachers and fellow students. It is my honor to be here on this beautiful Friday morning to share with you my view on “Me- time”.
In my opinion，finding me-time is important. With the development of the modern society, we students in China have more and more pressure. We have to spare every minute to study very hard and join various kinds of out-of-class training courses to improve ourselves. So we are really in lack of me-time which is helpful to keep ourselves from being over-stressed、tired and worried.
I do not have as much fun as before and I always miss my childhood. Three hours of homework and two piano lessons one day make me have hardly any me-time to relax myself. I was once an active basketball player on my school team. But now, basketball, my best friend, I haven’t touched it for almost two months. Me- time seems to have become a luxury.
Last week, when I heard there was going to be a basketball match between our school and No 1 Middle School, I was so excited that I rushed home and told my parents the news. I asked my father, “ Dad, may I play basketball after school ? The coach says I am the best guard in our school. If I join the school basketball team, we are sure to beat No 1 Middle School this time.” My father showed his dispproval and said, “ Of course you can’t . I’m disappointed at you. Why do you have such a silly idea? Don’t forget to work hard on your schoolwork and piano lessons.” In my parents’ points of view, playing basketball is a waste of time.
As far as I’m concerned, the school assignment to the junior school students is too heavy. To grow into healthy and well-rounded adults, we should be allowed to have more me-time for relaxation. The pressure put on our students by excessive schoolwork can cause serious stress, which is unhealthy physically and mentally.
My dear teachers, I hope you can assign less homework so we students can enjoy a period of me-time. My dear parents, would you please not follow me and remind me of study all the time? Please trust me that I will do my best. My dear friends, why not stop for a while from your heavy homework and do anything you like? It’s me-time. I do think, that a reduction of the current heavy load would be beneficial to us students and to the society as a whole. Finding me-time will make our life rich, colorful and rewarding.
Thank you for your attention!
中学生英语励志演讲稿 篇11
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen:
Bidding for the Olympic Games, in a way, an image-creating undertaking. The first and foremost thing is to let people fall in love with the city at first sight, attracting them by its unipue image. What image does Beijing
intend to create for itself once it has the opportunity to host the 20xx Olympics?
It is known to all that the Beijing Municipal Government has already set the theme for the future games: New Beijing,Great Olympics. For me, the 20xx Olympics will be a great green Olympics illuminated with two more special colors, yellow and red.
First, yellow is a meaningful color. The Yellow River is China's Mother River and the descendants of the Yellow Emperor. This color has a special origin and great significance for the Chinese people. Beijing is the capital of New China and previously the capital for nine dynasties in Chinese history. So, yellow will naturally add splendor to the 20xx Games.
Secondly, the 20xx Olympics will be a red pageant.Red is another traditionally cherished color for the whole country. We adore red. On big occasions, we like to decorate our homes in red. It is the color of double happiness, representing joyous moments, auspiciousness, enthusiasm and prosperity. Red is one of the most suitable colors to describe the future of Beijing . Beijing , together with the whole country, is becoming more and more prosperous in the process of modernization. Should the 20xx Olympics be held in Beijing, the whole city will be a sea of red : the red torch,red flags, red flowers, and the radiant faces of millions of joyful people.
Above all, the 20xx Olympics will be a green Olympics. Adding a green ingredient is essential in creating an appealing image, as we can't deny the fact that Beijing, at the moment, is not as green a city as what we like it to be. Striving for an environmentally appealing city has become a central task for all the citizens of Beijing. Big efforts have been made in pollution control, replanting and beautification of the city. According to a project entitled" The Green Olympic Action Plan", between 1998 and 20xx, Beijing, we have invested 100 billion RMB in preserving and protecting the environment. Some 12.5 million trees and over 1 million acres of grass will be planted along the Fourth Ring Road. By then, the city's green area will make up 40% of its total. The city will also dredge its reservoirs used as a water supply to Beijing residents, controlling industrial pollution and moving out the 200 factories presently located within the city proper.
Certainly, all of this is no easy task. But I am sure that all of us have confidence that we will realize these green goals. For now we have the full support and participation of the environmentally conscious citizens. Each citizen is showing great concern for every one of the steps the city government takes. As the saying goes, United, we stand, and a green Beijing will be achieved.
When our aspiration becomes a reality, it will be a unique Olympics." New Beijing, Great Olympics"; will be weaved of these three superb colors: yellow, red and green.
Let us welcome it and look forward to it! Thank you!
中学生英语励志演讲稿 篇12
Hello, everyone ! My name isxxx I’m from Class 1, I’m very happy to standhere to give you my free-talk. Today my topic is “To Be A Good Failure”.
I believe everyone has e某perienced a lot . We have done good things andalso bad things. When we do the bad things, we should not feel sad. We shouldlearn from failure ,learn from every mistake and learn how to be a good loser.That’s what I'll be talking about today. That's our lesson to learn. Let me tellyou why.
First, losing is a part of life. It is unavoidable. It is something we allmust face. Everybody loses sometimes. Every great person knows this truth. Sodon't be ashamed of losing. Losing doesn't mean you're a loser.
Second, don’t escape from it, just accept it. Losing is beneficial and canbe helpful to you. We just view it as a learning e某perience. Losing is a chanceto learn. You can learn how to try again and improve.
Third, practice makes perfect. Create challenges for yourself. Never beafraid of failure. Lose as much as you can. Losing only makes you better. Thatis a great secret of success.
In conclusion, remember these. You will be a good loser. It might bepainful at first. But it will get easier as you go along. You'll be respectedand admired. You'll feel so achievement to learn so much. You are not the realfailure ,you will be a winner in future.
中学生英语励志演讲稿 篇13
The world we live in is becoming more and more intolerable because of environmental destruction. For example , forest destruction results in decrease of planting land and unpleasant weather. In addition, man is faced with problems of water pollution and air pollution.
A lot of measures have been taken. Planting trees helps improve and beautify the environment. Besides, laws concerning environmental protection have been put into effect and achieved good results.
However, the problem of environmental protection remains far from being solved. On the one hand, the environment pollution and destruction are getting worse and worse in the modern world. On the other hand, the lack of knowledge about the importance of protecting environment hinders the solving of the problem. In a word, there is a long way to go before we enjoy a clean and comfortable world.
The world we live in is becoming more and more intolerable because of environmental destruction. For example , forest destruction results in decrease of planting land and unpleasant weather. In addition, man is faced with problems of water pollution and air pollution.
A lot of measures have been taken. Planting trees helps improve and beautify the environment. Besides, laws concerning environmental protection have been put into effect and achieved good results.
However, the problem of environmental protection remains far from being solved. On the one hand, the environment pollution and destruction are getting worse and worse in the modern world. On the other hand, the lack of knowledge about the importance of protecting environment hinders the solving of the problem. In a word, there is a long way to go before we enjoy a clean and comfortable world.
中学生英语励志演讲稿 篇14
One day in 1819, 3,000 miles off the coast of Chile, in one of the most remote regions of the Pacific Ocean, 20 American sailors watched their ship flood with seawater.
They'd been struck by a sperm whale, which had ripped a catastrophic hole in the ship's hull. As their ship began to sink beneath the swells, the men huddled together in three small whaleboats.
These men were 10,000 miles from home, more than 1,000 miles from the nearest scrap of land. In their small boats, they carried only rudimentary navigational equipment and limited supplies of food and water.
These were the men of the whaleship Essex, whose story would later inspire parts of “Moby Dick.”
Even in today's world, their situation would be really dire, but think about how much worse it would have been then.
No one on land had any idea that anything had gone wrong. No search party was coming to look for these men. So most of us have never experienced a situation as frightening as the one in which these sailors found themselves, but we all know what it's like to be afraid.
We know how fear feels, but I'm not sure we spend enough time thinking about what our fears mean.
As we grow up, we're often encouraged to think of fear as a weakness, just another childish thing to discard like baby teeth or roller skates.
And I think it's no accident that we think this way. Neuroscientists have actually shown that human beings are hard'wired to be optimists.
So maybe that's why we think of fear, sometimes, as a danger in and of itself. “Don't worry,” we like to say to one another. “Don't panic.” In English, fear is something we conquer. It's something we fight.
It's something we overcome. But what if we looked at fear in a fresh way? What if we thought of fear as an amazing act of the imagination, something that can be as profound and insightful as storytelling itself?
It's easiest to see this link between fear and the imagination in young children, whose fears are often extraordinarily vivid.
When I was a child, I lived in California, which is, you know, mostly a very nice place to live, but for me as a child, California could also be a little scary.
I remember how frightening it was to see the chandelier that hung above our dining table swing back and forth during every minor earthquake, and I sometimes couldn't sleep at night, terrified that the Big One might strike while we were sleeping.
And what we say about kids who have fears like that is that they have a vivid imagination. But at a certain point, most of us learn to leave these kinds of visions behind and grow up.
We learn that there are no monsters hiding under the bed, and not every earthquake brings buildings down. But maybe it's no coincidence that some of our most creative minds fail to leave these kinds of fears behind as adults.