The Meaning Difference

What are YOU Willing to Die For?

The assassination of Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto is a sad commentary on the state of world affairs.  The inability of political regimes in the 21st century to reach common ground by going to a higher ground seems to "plague" our planet like an actual disease.  Indeed, it is also a tragedy that Bhutto and President Pervez Musharraf were unable to transcend their differences and reach a peaceful resolution for the benefit of their country as well as the international community.

Whatever may result from the official investigation into the killing of Benazir Bhutto (and its horrific "collateral damage"), we must all remember that there are seeds of meaning associated with this milestone moment in history that need to be investigated and discovered too.  Putting political posturing aside, Bhutto lived her life with meaning, and her life was meaningful.  And although we may never really know the underlying, intrinsic motivations behind Bhutto's return to her fractured country, especially since all the evidence indicates that she knew that her life was in grave danger, let's give her the benefit of the doubt.  In this regard, rather than assuming that she was motivated strictly by the "will to power" (as her own niece has suggested), I prefer to think that her intention to give Pakistan a try at democracy was more a manifestation of the "will to meaning."  That is, as I describe in my book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts, Bhutto was "authentically committed to meaningful values and goals" that she felt personally responsible and compelled to fulfill.  In point of fact, she was willing to die for that in which she believed, which, I think that you would agree, is the ultimate level of authentic commitment.

So, let me ask you: what are YOU willing to die for?  Are there meaningful values and goals in your life that would meet such a test?  As a way of celebrating the life and legacy of Benazir Bhutto, please consider these life-affirming questions as you ponder YOUR life.  And if you are so inclined, I'd love for you to share your thoughts and feelings (including experiences) with me and the rest of the Global Dialogue Center community through this blog.  I look forward to hearing from you!

Meaningfully,
Alex

Alex Pattakos, Ph.D.
author, Prisoners of Our Thoughts
founder, Center for Meaning
Learn more

NEW EDITIONS: Prisoners of Our Thoughts
New edition of Prisoners of Our Thoughts in paperback, Audiobook CD, and digital download formats! Learn more

Buy a copy at Amazon.com

New Audiobook Digital Download Now Available! The digital download version of PRISONERS OF OUR THOUGHTS: Viktor Frankl's Principles for Discovering Meaning in Life and Work can now be obtained from both iTunes and Audible.com, which means you can listen to it on your computer, iPod, or other MP3 player (the Audiobook CD version won't be released until July 1, 2008). Here is the direct link to Audible.com: Prisoners of Our Thoughts Digital Download
Also available on iTUNES. 

2008: The Freedom to Choose Your Attitude

Happy New Year! Yes, it's that time again when we're all given a chance to make resolutions that will help guide our thoughts and actions during the "new year."  And while we're obviously going to carry over things from times past, the opportunity to begin "fresh" is upon us, should we choose--yes choose--to take advantage of it.  Our personal and collective decisions to move forward and make the best of the new year, however, will not happen if we are "prisoners of our thoughts!"

With this in mind (no pun intended!), I want to welcome you, and in some cases, welcome you back, to the PRISONERS OF OUR THOUGHTS conversation series:

Indeed, I'm so glad to "see" you, and I especially look forward to getting to know each of you over time as we explore together ways to discover the deeper meaning in our life and work. Let me start by having you think about a couple of questions:

First, why do some people seem to have an easier time dealing with complex and challenging situations than others?

Second, why do some people seem more capable of dealing with change than others?

To be sure, we have all had the opportunity to witness these differences among people, as well as have seen the power of the human spirit "at work" in even the worst of life situations.  It is timely that we start this series by exploring the first of Viktor Frankl's core principles that I introduce in my book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts:

PRINCIPLE 1:
EXERCISE THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE
In all situations, no matter how desperate they may appear or actually be, you always have the ultimate freedom to choose your attitude.

"Everything can be taken from a man but--the last of the human freedoms--to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's way."
--Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning

LET'S NOW PUT MEANING INTO THIS CONVERSATION
I'd like know what you've experienced...and observed...in your personal life AND/OR work life that relates to this meaning-centered principle.  Recall a situation in which you consciously exercised the freedom to choose your attitude about it.  This could even be your current situation, or it could be one where you were confronted by a family member or friend, or a co-worker or difficult boss, or experienced an unexpected change in your life or work, in the past.  What was your initial attitude toward the situation?  How did it change over time?  Did you actually "do" anything to change your attitude?  If you have a difficult time focusing on yourself at first, think about your observations and inspirations of others that might help us all apply this principle in our own personal and work lives.

Talk with me!  I look forward to learning from your thoughts and experiences.  Indeed, let's learn from and support each other over the course of 2008 (and beyond)!

Importantly, let's begin the new year with a focus on meaning! 

Once again, Happy New Year!

Meaningfully,
Alex

Alex Pattakos, Ph.D.
author, Prisoners of Our Thoughts
founder, Center for Meaning
Learn more

NEW EDITION: Prisoners of Our Thoughts
New edition of Prisoners of Our Thoughts in paperback, Audiobook CD, and digital download formats!  Prisoners of Our Thoughts applies Viktor Frankl's philosophy and therapeutic approach to life and work in the 21st century, detailing seven principles for increasing your capacity to deal with life-work challenges, finding meaning in your daily life and work, and achieving your highest potential.  Among other changes, this new edition includes a new chapter on how readers of the hardcover edition have put the seven meaning-centered principles into action, both in their everyday lives and even in extreme situations such as in Indonesia after the tsunami (where several aid agencies adopted the book as part of their training and relief programs) and in post-Katrina New Orleans.

Buy a copy at Amazon.com