Related PODCAST:
A Personal Interview with Dr. Alex Pattakos
Discovering meaning in every moment and situation
American Creativity Association International Conference
Listen now 19:27
In a recent post on the blog, LEAD 2020: Visions & Futures on Leading Others at North Carolina State University, MOWEN shared an experience of his own "prison escape" in a post entitled: Prisoners of Our Stories. I wanted to share it with you, because I think it offers a clear example of how Viktor Frankl's principles can be applied to our lives and our work. I've also added a few personal comments and provided the link to MOWEN's leadership blog, which has other "meaning-full" posts:
PRISONERS OF OUR STORIES
written by mowen
"We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms--to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." --- Viktor Frankl
I have been rereading some of my books on Viktor Frankl lately. His life and work are remarkable and I often find it is helpful to reach out to his writings from time to time. This week I have been reading one of his student's books, Prisoners of Our Thoughts, by Alex Pattakos. Pattakos does a wonderful job of translating Frankl's work into actions for living. One of the best exercises in the book relates to the story you tell yourself when something bad happens. Quick, think of a situation at work or in your personal life that is or was stressful or challenging. Write down ten positive things that could result or did result from the situation. For me, it went something like this:
We couldn't have children through birth
- We have each other
- We have our health
- There are other ways to have children
- There are children born who need parents
- and on and on...
The long-term result was a son named Nikolas who joined our family in 1999! But the initial impact of this exercise was one of deep optimism instead of despair. One of hope and possibilities instead of sadness. Oh, we were sad about the situation, but we also were hopeful about the goal. The implication for you in your leadership journey is to be prepared to be hopeful regardless of the route you take on this journey."
LEAD 2020: Visions & Futures on Leading Others BLOG
A FEW PERSONAL COMMENTS ON MOWEN's Post:
"Translating Frankl's work into actions for living." I like it! Not only is it an honor to be linked to Dr. Frankl in such a way, it also underscores the importance and practicality of what I call my "meaning ministry. I'm also pleased to see that MOWEN used one of the exercises in my book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts, putting it into action in such a personal, heart-felt way. Receiving feedback that the "initial impact of this exercise was one of deep optimism instead of despair," indeed, is heart warming.
My objective has always been to offer people hope and possibilities, while not marginalizing the seriousness of whatever circumstances they may encounter. In this way, we all have the potential of escaping the "prison of our thoughts" and, importantly, it is up to each of us to decide if we want to realize this potential. This holds true for situations in both our personal and work lives, including as MOWEN suggests, for "leaders" of all kinds. Thank you, MOWEN!
Do you have any stories that call for a prison escape?
All the best,
Alex
Alex Pattakos, Ph.D.
author, Prisoners of Our Thoughts
founder, Center for Meaning
Santa Fe, NM USA www.themeaningdifference.com
Visit the Viktor Frankl Collection at the Global Dialogue Center
Put your mark on history, share your perspective on PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
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