"Applause felt like approval, and it became a drug that soothed the pain, but only temporarily"

In the quote "Applause felt like approval, and it became a drug that relieved the discomfort, but just temporarily", Anita Baker explores the complex psychological interplay between external validation and internal satisfaction. Applause, a symbol of approval and affection, represents the general public's acknowledgment of one's skills or accomplishments. For lots of performers, hearing applause can act as a powerful affirmation, providing a sense of recognition and worth. Nevertheless, Baker's analogy to a drug suggests a fleeting and potentially unhealthy dependence on this external approval.

This comparison highlights the ephemeral nature of applause and its inability to offer enduring contentment or resolve much deeper personal battles. Just as a drug provides short-term relief however doesn't resolve underlying problems, applause provides a short-term sense of complete satisfaction. The 'discomfort' Baker refers to might encompass a series of internal conflicts-- insecurities, an absence of self-regard, or individual dissatisfaction-- that applause alone can not heal.

Baker's observation reflects a wider human experience where individuals frequently look for external recognition to fill internal voids. It highlights the threat of ending up being depending on the shallow highs supplied by outside approval, which can lead people to continuously chase the next efficiency or achievement just to regain that fleeting sense of recognition.

Additionally, the quote serves as a cautionary pointer of the possible hollowness in looking for self-worth from others rather than cultivating an internal sense of satisfaction. It recommends the value of finding intrinsic worth and self-acceptance that isn't contingent on external factors. Baker's poignant words hence invite introspection and motivate a deeper expedition of what genuinely satisfies and sustains one's happiness beyond the immediate gratification of applause. Eventually, it's a call to acknowledge the restrictions of external approval and to seek more long-lasting sources of inner peace and self-acceptance.