There are a lot of negative things going on in the world and in recent weeks, I’ve been very conscious of our ability to blame and complain about almost anything. This would be helpful if it had a productive end, but how do we affect positive change around us, individually or collectively, if our thoughts stay in this perpetual state of doom?
From a psychological perspective, it takes some 8 or 9 positive remarks to offset a negative one. So, just think about how much motivation and inspiration we all need in order to keep moving forward! We also must ensure we don't become "prisoners of our thoughts!" Let me suggest that, if we can help ourselves---and others---find the deeper meaning in life, then we will not only motivate, but inspire humanity in ways that transcend all the problems we face.
To know we are blessed with meaning, that it graces every aspect and every moment of our lives, is true freedom. At work --- and in our day-to-day lives, it frees us from the judgment of others; it frees us to be in tune with what we know best---our own melody of life. It is a melody only we can sing. It isn’t a melody that anyone else can sing for us:
“The struggle for existence is a struggle “for” something; it is purposeful and only in so being is it meaningful and able to bring meaning into life.”
---Viktor Frankl
Viktor Frankl’s legacy was one of hope and possibility. He saw the human condition at its worst, and human beings behaving in ways intolerable to the imagination. He also saw human beings rising to heights of compassion and caring in ways that can only be described as miraculous acts of unselfishness and transcendence.
There is something in us that can rise above and beyond everything we think possible. Our instinct for meaning, in our work and in our every day lives, is our right now, at this very moment.
What moment(s) of meaning happened in your life today?
I invite you to leave a comment and share what happened. I would love to hear from you and make our dialogue more meaning-FULL with your perspective. All the best, Alex Pattakos, Ph.D.
Alex
author, Prisoners of Our Thoughts
founder, Center for Meaning
Santa Fe, NM USA www.themeaningdifference.com
Come visit the Viktor Frankl Collection at the Global Dialogue Center
I've been reading everything I can by Frankl. I know what he says is true but am unsure how to manifest it in my life. I am 54 years old, single, no children. I ponder that I will be around about another twenty years or so.
What will I know that I have done in this world? I can understand the hunger for people to believe that their lives mattered. I am more aware of the miracle of consciousness, the ability to behold it all. I remember walking by a lake, looking across it and thinking, "I was here. I saw this."
I wonder who, if anyone, would create us to even want to know the purpose of our lives. Why does it matter that we want something beyond ourselves? If we were just beings that live until they die and that's it, it would be easier to believe in the Clockmaker God. What is it in people that they need to be spiritual, to accomplish something. Why would people want to believe in a greater power? Frankl quotes one who said, "Thirst is the proof for the existence of water." Perhaps, it is something just to ponder these questions.
Another great thinker, philosopher and spiritualist of the 20th Century was Abraham Heschel. I am starting to dovetail the two. Heschel alludes to the spiritual, even calling for the sense of awe. Can we create a "spiritual machine"? Why would we want to. A woman who wrote about writing encouraged people to answer the questions they pose.
Thank you for the opportunity to put this online. Will anyone read it? I can't know. I can know that I wrote it and I read it. That is a beginning.
Posted by: Thomas Miller | July 14, 2006 at 08:07 PM
Dear Thomas,
Thank you so much for your "meaning-full" message. Because you raised some questions many of us struggle to answer, I wanted to share your post with others. Consequently, I have incorporated your message into my latest post with my full response back to you.
You can access it at this url:
http://globaldialoguecenter.blogs.com/meaning/2006/07/viktor_frankl_t.html
I look forward to seeing what you think and welcome hearing any thoughts you have after reading my message.
All the best,
Alex
[email protected]
Posted by: Alex Pattakos, Ph. D. | July 16, 2006 at 09:51 PM
thank for the wonder you brought to my life.
Posted by: komakech richard | February 22, 2007 at 12:41 AM
Dear Richard,
Thank you SO much for your VERY kind comment. Indeed, it is feedback like yours that inspires (and fuels) me to continue my meaning-centered mission with even more passion! Since I come from Greek family roots, this can be dangerous! :)
Please feel free to share more of your thoughts and feelings.
All the best,
Alex
Posted by: Alex | February 24, 2007 at 03:48 PM
thank you for this message and i will always remember it, i will change my lifestyle and transcend , thank you
Posted by: david | April 04, 2008 at 06:23 PM
Thank you, David! I greatly appreciate your comment. Alex
Posted by: Dr. Alex Pattakos | April 04, 2008 at 08:24 PM
true freedom consist of being one with the Eternal Spirit of the Living God.It implies the ability to manifest the presence of God and his godliness. Whoever does is ever truely free fore ever.Thanks.
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