The authors pose the question, "If someone were to give you a thousand dollars to sit next to a crying baby during a 2-hour airplane flight, . . . could you do it?" What is the point that they are making?

Answer 1

The authors are providing a contrast to self-limiting beliefs. If the need or desire is great enough, we can control a lot more than we think. In answer to question posed, they respond, "Of course you could. Could you do it without feeling stressed? Suddenly it is not so awful, is it? Events that seem irritating and stress-producing take on new meaning. When we are highly motivated, we can take control and prevent the event from initiating the stress response. If you could control your stress response for a thousand dollars, would you do it for a lifetime of less stress and better health? Again, we see the principle of perception and interpretation at play in virtually all events.".