How to Stay Sane in an Age of Division

by Elif Shafak

But acknowledging the dark side of emotions is only where we begin. It cannot be where we end up. So if our first challenge is to allow ourselves to experience, sincerely and openly, whatever mental disturbances are there, and recognise the presence of negative sentiments in our lives, the next step is to decide what to do with this recognition, how to turn it into something more constructive and health-giving.

Knowledge requires reading. Books. In-depth analyses. Investigative journalism. Then there is wisdom, which connects the mind and the heart, activates emotional intelligence, expands empathy. For that we need stories and storytelling.