The Meaning Difference

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

Our Crisis of Meaning

Well, it's that time again; you know, for reflection (and "self-reflection").  As one year comes to a close and a new year gets ready to begin, I propose that each of us view this time period as an opportunity to reflect upon what really matters in life--in our life, in the lives of others, and in the world at large.  To get you started, I've done some reflecting on what I call "Our Crisis of Meaning" (Remember, this is a meaning-centered blog!).  Before I begin, let me underscore that within the Chinese symbol for the English word, "crisis," lies the very essence of "opportunity."  Please keep this underlying meaning in mind as you read my "reflections" below." 

Some 50 years ago, Viktor Frankl called attention to three major societal ills: aggression, addiction, and depression. He termed these problems the “mass neurotic triad," a kind of psychological axis of evil. Significantly, this triad comprised more than targets for psychiatric intervention (the views of Tom Cruise and Scientology notwithstanding). The mass neurotic triad was symptomatic of a contemporary world that was missing something; indeed, something vitally important to the nature of human existence itself. To Dr. Frankl, the problems of aggression, addiction, and depression could be traced, in large part, to an “existential vacuum” or perception that one’s life, including one’s work life, appeared to be meaningless. He observed that the existential vacuum was a widespread phenomenon of the 20th century and underscored that these conditions were not truly understandable, let alone “treatable,” unless the existential vacuum underlying them was recognized.

If Viktor Frankl were alive today, I’m sure that he would still be concerned about this mass neurotic triad. In fact, he would probably argue that the problems of aggression, addiction, and depression are worse than when he first wrote about them after World War II.

For example, when it comes to aggression, we see it manifest itself in ways that Dr. Frankl may not even recognize. Besides overt aggressive behaviors, like road rage, air rage, and “desk” rage (e.g., work stress that leads people to engage in counterproductive workplace behaviors that costs employers billions of dollars in lost productivity, insurance payments, and increased security), postmodern society also must confront increasing levels of relationally aggressive behaviors (e.g., recent research evidence suggests that aggressive children in school are perceived as being more “popular” than meeker students). And these illustrations of aggression say nothing about the “shock and awe” mentality that plagues societies on an international scale with wars and rumors of wars.

Insofar as addiction and addictive behaviors are concerned, the situation, I would argue, is very similar. And we’re not just talking about the alarming increases in substance abuse, of both the “legal” and illegal varieties, that concern our modern age. The new millennium has brought us new kinds of addictive behaviors, such as those associated with shopping, telecommunications and the Internet, along with new forms of work (“workaholic”), gambling (“day-trading”), and sexual addictions. Indeed, there is no person left behind when it comes to the powerful reach of the addictive mind.

And to close the loop on the mass neurotic triad, it is a simple fact that depression is occurring more often and at earlier stages than in decades past­; that is, when Dr. Frankl first called our attention to this phenomenon. Indeed, the statistics are staggering: about 16 percent of adults will experience depression at some point in their life; about 97 percent of those reporting depression also reported that their work, home life and relationships suffered as a result; women are twice as likely to experience depression as men; depression is the leading cause of disability in women; one in seven men will develop depression within 6 months of becoming unemployed; and so on. Once again, these statistics point primarily to the manifestations and effects of depression on individuals; they don’t even begin to describe the fall-out that comes “naturally” with depression at the family, community, and nation-state levels. Indeed, the implications of depression on such a macro-level can be, and usually are, profound.

The persistence of the mass neurotic triad in the 21st century suggests, as I mentioned earlier, that we are facing a “crisis of meaning” that will not go away on its own, nor will it disappear solely through the pursuit of power (i.e., a correlate of aggression) or pleasure (i.e., a correlate of addiction). But where there is a crisis, there is also opportunity. Hence, a crisis of meaning is also a call for meaning­--in our personal lives, in our work, and even in our public policies. And in the midst of the personal and collective suffering that surrounds us, there is hope for a better, more meaning-full future for all.

And, ultimately, as Frankl would say, it is meaning that sustains us throughout our lives no matter how little or how much power and pleasure come our way. It is meaning that can help us address the problems of aggression, addiction, and depression. It is meaning that will sustain us as we face the challenges of everyday life in our relationships, at work, and with society as a whole. However, it is up to each and every one of us to find this deeper meaning in order to reach the levels of human evolution and enlightenment that still await us.

I welcome your thoughts on this issue!

All the best,
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

Dancing in the Footsteps of Zorba!

I just returned from Crete, the largest of the Greek islands.  For those interested in world history, Crete, among other things, was the center of the Minoan civilization (2600-1400 BCE), the oldest civilization in Europe.  Although I had been to Crete before, this time proved to be one of the most meaningful life experiences for me. 

Just in case you haven't read my book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts, or haven't figured out the ethnic origin of my last name, "Pattakos," let me help you.  It's Greek.  And more importantly, it's Cretan!  Proudly, I can also say that the Pattakos clan, whose roots are deeply embedded in the "soul" of Crete, has been actively engaged in the political arena throughout Crete's history, long before it became an official part of Greece.  In fact, my great-great-grandfather, Apostolos Konstantinos Pattakos, was a member of the First National Assembly of Crete (the equivalent of the U.S. Congress or a national Parliament) and was a leader in the "Great Cretan Revolution" against the Ottoman Empire.

Indeed, my Cretan ancestors were true revolutionaries in mind, body, and spirit.  Their passion for freedom, in effect, can be traced to their DNA.  Importantly, in this regard, the Pattakos clan originated from the Sfakiá region of Crete, a mountainous area in the southwestern part of the island that is one of the few places in Greece to never have been fully occupied by foreign powers.  Hence, to them, "freedom or death," a notion that was eloquently described in a book, Freedom or Death, by the world-famous writer, novelist, and poet, Nikos Kazantzakis (himself a Cretan), was a way to realize in no uncertain terms their will to meaning.  The prolific Kazantzakis, I should add, is best known for two novels that eventually became award-winning movies: Last Temptation of Christ and Zorba the Greek.

How many of you have seen the movie, Zorba the Greek?  The title role of "Alexis Zorba" was played by the late, great American actor, Anthony Quinn, who received a "Best Actor" Academy Award nomination (the movie, by the way, won three Oscars).  And if you haven't yet seen the movie (it's available on DVD), I'm sure that you are familiar with the movie's classic song, "Zorba's Dance" ("Horos Tou Zorba"), if not the entire soundtrack! Just thinking about this song makes me feel like dancing a la Zorba--and breaking a few plates! 

Watch "Zorba's Dance" with Anthony Quinn on YouTube!
Click HERE

Well, folks, during my recent time in Crete, I did something very special in honor of my Cretan ancestors, in honor of Nikos Kazantsakis, and, of course, in honor of Alexis Zorba (aka Anthony Quinn).  I not only visited, but danced, on the same beach, the same sand, as did Anthony Quinn in the movie, Zorba the Greek!

O.k., right now, your're probably saying, "how silly, is he crazy or what?!"  But wait a minute.  Remember Zorba, and the purpose and meaning that dance had in his life, especially when he found himself going against the wind and facing formidable challenges?  Dance proved not only to be a "release," or way to manage stress, but also an "inspirational force" that guided him through the stress so that he could confront--and ideally overcome--the challenges that he was facing in life and work.  This, my friends, is not just part of a storyboard that can be used in a movie scene.  On the contrary, the longstanding tradition of Cretan dance is well-known and well-documented as a way of life, an authentic integration of mind, body, and spirit.  Indeed, especially during hard times, such as those involving foreign occupation and oppression, the Cretans viewed and used dance as a vehicle for creative expression and inspiration; in other words, as a source of authentic meaning.  It was the "dance" that helped my ancestors and their fellow Cretans not become "prisoners of their thoughts," even when they were prisoners of foreign powers.  And it was the "dance" that enabled Alexis Zorba to see through the fog of everyday life and inspire himself and others to achieve their highest potential.

Only a very short time ago, I was blessed with the opportunity to practice the "dance" in the very footsteps of Zorba the Greek!  In the process, I also connected with my ancestors, with my family roots, like never before.  How can that not be meaningful?! 

Now, what about you?
What kind of "dance" are you practicing in your life?  In your work?  How might (does) the "dance" help you discover the seeds of meaning that represent your life?  Moreover, how have you been able to connect with your ancestors?  Do you believe that such a connection can be a source of meaning for you? 

If you are willing to share any experiences or thoughts about this topic, please do so. 
I'd all love to hear from you, so that we can practice the "dance" together!

All the best,
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

VIKTOR FRANKL: A Legacy Remembered

RELATED COMMEMORATIVE ONLINE EXHIBIT
at the Global Dialogue Center
Viktor Frankl: The Man, His Message, His Principles
2005 Tribute to commemorate his 100th Anniversary
Visit now

On September 2, 2007, it will be ten years since Dr. Viktor Frankl passed on.  It was the same week in 1997 when Princess Diana was killed in a tragic automobile accident (on Sunday, August 31st) and when Mother Teresa died (on Friday, September 5th).  Dr. Frankl's death occurred in the middle of this week--on Tuesday.  Indeed, it was a very strange week for the world, a week of significant loss when one considers the humanitarian influence that each of these individuals had brought to bear during their respective life times.

Beyond the Media Infatuations
As we approach each of these three milestone dates and reflect upon the lives and legacies of Princess Diana, Dr. Frankl, and Mother Teresa, it is worth noting that only Dr. Frankl's memory and contributions to humankind seem to get overlooked by the mass media.  For me, it is a case of "deja vu" all over again!  During the first week of September 1997, the death of Princess Diana was the news, overshadowing the deaths of both Dr. Frankl and Mother Teresa.  Ten years later, not much has changed.  The infatuation with the life and death of Princess Diana has, once again, moved to center stage in both the printed and electronic media.  On television, for example, one can now watch "Diana's Last Day" or, for those who would like a more longitudinal view, "Princess Diana: The Legend and Legacy."  From a conspiracy perspective, there is even a television program that purports to document "The Murder of Princess Diana."

In death, Mother Teresa has also caught the media's attention as we approach this historic week of "anniversaries."  Most notably, Mother Teresa graces the front cover of the September 3, 2007, issue of Time Magazine, and is the subject of a much debated cover story entitled, "The Secret Life of Mother Teresa," wherein it is reported that she had, at times, questioned her faith.  Interestingly, this same issue of Time also includes an essay on "The Diana Effect."  Let's face it, you can't escape the near obsession that the media has with the late Princess!

As I write this posting, I am still waiting to come across some media coverage of the life and legacy of Viktor Frankl.  I think that it will be fascinating to see what kind of attention to Dr. Frankl and his life/work may surface in the various "mass" media.  In this connection, I call on everyone who reads this blog to keep your eyes open for such occurrences and please-please-please let me and everyone else know what you find by contributing to this forum.

A Legacy Remembered
If there was ever a time to remember and pay tribute to the life and work of Viktor Frankl, we're living in it now.  Indeed, the search for meaning has been called a "megatrend" of the 21st Century, a time when the inherent value of human existence seems to be held together by mere threads.  We live in world that seems to be in delicate balance with impending disaster poking its head around every corner.  Even the resiliency of humankind is at risk, along with the survival of the humble planet upon which all humans take their sustenance. 

Not wanting, however, to sound entirely like a messenger of gloom, let me resurrect the wisdom of Viktor Frankl and offer an antidote to the existential dilemma that now plagues our postmodern world.  It's time to live and work, individually and collectively, with an explicit focus on meaning.  As Dr. Frankl has firmly established in his System of Logotherapy, and as I have argued persuasively in my book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts, it is the will to meaning, not either the will to pleasure or the will to power, that ultimately must be realized if we are to create a better world for ourselves and a better world for all. 

It is important to underscore that the notion of meaning, as used here, is derived from the ancient Greek word, "logos," which, not coincidentally, is the root of both Frankl's "Logotherapy" and the key word (and powerful communication process), "dialogue."  Because the concept of logos also has deep spiritual roots--besides being commonly referred to as "meaning," it also can be translated from the Greek as "spirit"--both Logotherapy and the process of dialogue can be interpreted as practical tools for spiritual transformation.  To a great extent, this is why I have proposed that Dr. Frankl not only "humanized" psychotherapy (and, for that matter, the practice of medicine), but also "spiritualized" it as well.

Viktor Frankl, to be sure, leaves a profound legacy.  Throughout his life and his work, he reminds us that we all have important work to do, that whatever we do is important, and that there is meaning everywhere, all the time.  Each of us, however, is personally responsible for discovering the seeds of meaning in whatever our circumstance, whatever our challenge.  And remember, these seeds of meaning--as opposed to strict reliance on pleasure and power principles--hold the promise for a better world for all. 

In the final analysis, whether or not the mass media chooses to acknowledge the tenth anniversary of Viktor Frankl's passing, I sincerely hope that YOU do.  Please, pay attention and remember the significance of Dr. Frankl's life, work, and legacy at this critical time in our world's history.  In particular, I would love to hear from you about what his meaning-centered message "means" to you and to your life.  And, of course, if you do happen to come across some media coverage of Dr. Frankl at this time, please let us all know about it!

All the best,
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

FEELING RICH

I was struck the other day by a front-page article that I read in The New York Times (August 5, 2007), entitled "The Millionaires Who Don't Feel Rich."  The article focused on people living in Silicon Valley who are called "working-class millionaires"--members of the digital elite who find themselves toiling in the "Silicon Valley salt mines" because, as one person interviewed described, "a few million doesn't go as far as it used to."  And even though these folks obviously are among the fortunate few who don't have to worry about living from paycheck to paycheck, they still don't think of themselves as particularly fortunate.  The article points out that this is partly the case because they are surrounded by people with more wealth than they have!  My, my, I feel sorry for these poor (no pun intended) souls, don't you?!

One person interviewed, who estimated his "net worth" at $10 million, actually made the following observation (over a glass of pinot noir at an upscale wine bar no less!): "You're nobody here at $10 million."  Indeed, if you ask me, this is a sad commentary on the state of humanity in Silicon Valley.

Is real "net worth" simply a function of money?  And how much money is "enough," any way?  What happens when our desire to keep up with the Jones becomes an obsession--or a kind of addictive behavior--that we seem unable or unwilling to control?  Listen to how one of the people interviewed in the above-mentioned article described what looks like a marathon without a finish line: "Here, the top 1 percent chases the top one-tenth of 1 percent, and the top one-tenth of 1 percent chases the top one-one-hundredth of 1 percent.  You try not to get caught up in it, but it's hard not to."

The Will to Money? Or Will to Meaning?
If anything sounds like a manifestation of the "will to money" at work, this must be it, don't you think?  In my book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts, I point out that Viktor Frankl viewed the will to money as a primitive form of the will to power.  I also underscore that when people are replaced by money as the primary force behind decision-making, we have no choice but to become aware of the implications and do something about it.  In this regard, by refusing to be held a "prisoner of our thoughts," we can bring meaning out of the shadows of our lives and into the light.  Our lives will then mean something and our "net worth" will no longer be held captive soley by a dollar figure.

Remember, our will to meaning, not our will to pleasure or our will to power (including its primitive form, the will to money), is what illuminates our lives with true freedom.  Remember also the Greek hero, Sisyphus, who was ordered by the gods to push a big rock uphill only to see it slip out of his hands in the last moment.  The will to money, like running a "marathon without a finish line," also becomes an endless--and joyless--undertaking if not kept in check.  To keep this motivational force in check, however, requires that we go inward, not "out there" where both the will to pleasure and will to power have their genesis.  No, the path to realizing your will to meaning runs in the other direction and is not easy to follow if we choose--yes, choose--to be held  "prisoners of our thoughts."  Listen carefully to the following lyrics of Rodney Crowell from his song, "Time to Go Inward":

It's time to go inward, take a look at myself.
Time to make the most of the time I've got left.
Prison bars imagined are no less solid steel.

I suggest that it is time for the "working-class millionaires" of Silicon Valley to go inward and discover the seeds of meaning that may help them feel truly "rich."  Perhaps there is something more important to them then money, power, or pleasure per se.  Perhaps, by not choosing to be held prisoners of their thoughts, they will be able to redefine their notion of net worth and begin to make life/work decisions that are based on meaning-centered principles--things that truly matter to them.

What about YOU?
Think about your own life experiences.  Do you know, or have you ever known, anyone (this may even be yourself) who "felt rich" without the fortune of monetary wealth?  Why do you think that this is/was so?  What kinds of "things" do you have in your "portfolio" and assessment of net worth that you would consider priceless?  Now, ask yourself: Do you feel "rich" as a result?

All the best,
Alex

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

Read the entire article:
The Millionaires Who Don't Feel Rich
The New York Times (August 5, 2007)

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

FEAR of FLYING

A few days ago I returned from a business trip to São Paulo, Brazil.  Then, last night I learned that almost 200 people perished in a tragic accident in which an airliner burst into flames after trying to land at São Paulo's Congonhas Airport.  Apparently, Flight 3054, an Airbus-320, wasn't able to land on the runway and tried to take off again.  The plane cleared both an airport fence at the end of the runway and a busy highway, but slammed into a gas station and a building, causing an inferno that killed not only all of the passengers and crew on board, but also a number of people in the building.  Other victims of this tragedy on the ground were reported to be missing and presumed dead, and many others were injured.  The President of Brazil declared three days of national mourning for the country's second major air disaster in less than a year.

Notwithstanding the many questions that are now being raised about the safety and capacity of Brazil's aviation systems, this particular accident "hit home" for me on several, very personal levels.  I guess that you could call it a "meaning moment" since it forced me to reflect upon my own recent travel experience from Brazil and, more importantly, on what really matters in the broader scheme of life itself.  Indeed, it is tragedies like what happened in São Paulo that open up the windows to our soul and, hopefully, give us a glimpse of the miracle of life and the blessings that surround it--if we choose to take notice.

I was scheduled to depart São Paulo from its other airport, which is located in the suburb of Guarulhos about 25 kilometers from downtown, at 8:20 p.m.  After a short delay in the boarding process, it looked like we were on our way for the 10 hour flight to Chicago.  Unfortunately, what seemed like a smooth departure from São Paulo turned out to be a 48 hours marathon to my home in Santa Fe, New Mexico USA!  It began with a four hour delay on the runway tarmac, during which time very little information was being shared with passengers and, it seemed, even with the flight crew.  And, as you can imagine, the 350 passengers were becoming increasingly concerned and frustrated as "precious" time slowly passed by.  The seconds seemed like hours, the hours like days.

We were already in the next day when the announcement was made that the airplane had major mechanical problems and couldn't fly.  Hence, our flight was cancelled and it was too late (or early) to begin re-booking passengers on flights beginning the following afternoon.  We were subsequently instructed to deplane and board buses for nearby hotels where we would all spend the rest of the night.  As I looked around at my fellow passengers, I observed a wide range of reactions: disbelief, fear, anger, and even excitement.  Of course, I knew that I would miss my connecting flight in Chicago.  Yet, I felt a calmness surround me in the midst of all of the chaos and confusion.  I recall telling myself that it was better getting off the airplane now--at the airport--than it would have been to have mechanical trouble after we took off!  With this as my starting point, I then started playing with the "10 Positive Things" Exercise (See Chapter 4 in my book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts) in my head as I followed the line to the buses: "I didn't have an important meeting or event to attend right away, so didn't need to rush home"; "I was safe"; "I had a place to spend the night comfortably"; "My Blackberry email service was working so I could keep in touch with loved ones and others who were concerned about me"; "I had met some wonderful people in Brazil who had become my traveling partners"; and so on.

As always, this exercise worked for me (o.k., I admit, practice makes perfect).  Interestingly, I also found myself using this exercise with others, unbeknownst to them, who were facing more stressful circumstances than me.  I met one couple, for instance, who were going to miss connecting with a cruise ship that they had planned for over a year!  But, believe it or not, together we were able to find the "silver lining" in their predicament and move through the grief with grace, determination, and a sense of humor.  Like myself, these traveling souls were willing and able to put the situation into perspective.  And, as a consequence, they became more resilient to the stresses they (and all of us) faced and even, I would venture to say, enjoyed the experience!  Obviously, the situation was outside of our control, so we all needed to rely on our ultimate freedom to choose our response to the situation.

My traveling experience from São Paulo, Brazil, as stressful and as unfortunate as it may have been, pales in comparison to the horrors that must have been experienced by those involved in the demise of Flight 3054.  In fact, I can't begin to imagine what these unfortunate people had to go through and don't want to marginalize their plight by trying to draw a comparison to my own recent experience.  The point is: I feel truly blessed to have only experienced what I did on my trip home.  I not only arrived home safely, I learned a great deal about myself and others along the way.  And I now have the opportunity to grow and develop further as a result of my experience in São Paulo.  I owe it to myself, to others, and especially to the victims of Flight 3054 to live the rest of my life with meaning and not take anything for granted.  Indeed, the meaning of life is meaning.  Please don't forget it.  Now go pay it forward!

Do you take your life for granted? 
Or, do you feel that your life is a blessing?   

All the best,

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

LEADERSHIP and MEANINGFUL INNOVATION

I would guess that most of us see the need for change in almost any direction we look, but how do we begin? What's needed? What does it ask of us?

Here are a few thoughts...

There needs to be a purpose that drives (or pulls) change so that it adds value. This often comes from the vision or mission. However, even a compelling vision or strategy may not be enough if we do not learn and grow from the change that accompanies it. Change for change's sake will not necessarily allow us to achieve our personal or collective aims. Reflect for a moment on the following assertion: you can change without growing but you can't grow without changing. Truly meaningful change must involve some kind of development. Since organizational development cannot occur without personal development, leaders at all levels must be willing to embark on a path of self-discovery - especially if they want to lead their organizations through transformation effectively and with integrity.

Why is our ability to engage in transformational thinking important?
What can we do about it?

Elaine Dundon, in her book, The Seeds of Innovation, demonstrates that core
competencies (knowledge, skills, attitudes) in transformational thinking form the baseline for effective innovation to occur. Dundon underscores that without (a) seeking greater awareness of ourselves and others, (b) igniting and sustaining personal passion, and (c) taking meaningful action (referred to collectively as the seeds of transformational thinking), the corollary seeds of creative and strategic thinking cannot take root and flourish. As a consequence, there can be no innovation harvest no matter how creative the ideas being considered or how 'on strategy' these ideas may be. Those leading innovation in any organization must continuously develop and employ their transformational thinking capabilities to fully realize the return on innovation that everyone expects and deserves.

Recently, I recorded a Moments of Insight Series at the Global Dialogue Center audio learning program. It includes six mini-podcasts related to Discovering Deeper Meaning in different aspects of work and life. Although, each episode has a meaning-focused message with ideas for applying its principles, I highlighted the one on Meaningful Innovation below. It offers additional perspective and specific recommendations to help you put meaning-full innovation into practice in your organization.

1 - In Search of Meaning
2 - Living a More Meaningful Life
3 - Meaning in Your Work
4 - Meaningful Innovation *  Listen in now
5 - Meaning in Politics
6 - Meaningful Sustainability

A few closing thoughts...
When we miss the meaning in our work life, we miss the life in our work. And when we miss the life in our work, we can't help but become a "prisoner of our thoughts", confined, as Viktor Frankl would say, within our own inner concentration camp. Sadly, by doing so, we effectively lock ourselves away, albeit unconsciously, from the prospects of realizing our capacity for authentic leadership and meaningful innovation.

How are you realizing your capacity for authentic leadership and meaningful innovation?

I hope you'll write to share your story.

All the best,
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

Reflections on MEANINGFUL VALUES

Some years ago, I wrote an article in the Journal for Quality and Participation called "Reflections of a (re)evolutionary."  It is interesting to look back on life and work to see where you were, what has changed , and also what has stayed the same.  In this article I wrote:

Time and experience certainly tend to influence what seems worth having and doing.  In my case, however, these influences have been tempered by the fact that I have maintained over my adult life a set of core values or principles to guide my thoughts and actions.  In effect, these values, which have manifested themselves in different ways over the years, comprise the foundation of my character and emanate from the essence of my very being--my soul, if you will.  It is as if my growth and learning have spiraled higher and higher over time above the very same point.  With the experience of being able to view oneself from a distance, I can now "see" more clearly the contours of my life's journey, with all of its zigs and zags, in some orderly fashion.

This said, my "worth ethic" has always centered on the notion of service, especially public service.  More than 20 years ago, I was committing to causes greater than myself.  To be of service to others, especially to those less fortunate than I, became a "calling";  and the opportunity to challenge the status quo, no matter how much conflict was involved, became a quest worth doing.  From participating in the anti-war effort with SDS [Students for A Democratic Society] during the Vietnam era to helping to fight the "war on poverty" in the inner cities and rural areas of America, my notion of "worthiness" revolved more around the "doing" or experiencing of something of value than it did the "having."  Driven by a core value in which self-fulfillment was always more important than material success, I found myself submerged deeply in what Professor Peter Vaill has termed the "permanent whitewater" of change.  Indeed, I eventually learned, oftentimes the hard way, that you can change without growing but you cannot grow without changing.

Since writing this piece, I recognize that the "permanent whitewater" of change has been ever present.  One reaffirming experience that has deepened the meaning of this earlier message, came when my book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts, was published. It started what has become a MEANING MINISTRY that is reaching out across the world, one meaning-full experience and opportunity at a time.  As I have written often here, it is a book based on the wisdom of my mentor and teacher, Dr. Viktor Frankl, world renown psychiatrist, holocaust survivor and author of the classic, Man's Search for Meaning. Again, I realize that much has changed in this discovery of deeper meaning and purpose in my life through my connection to his meaning-focused message and legacy, and much has stayed the same. Over the years, I have been able to reaffirm over and over again, like I wrote in the above-mentioned article, that my growth and learning have spiraled higher and higher over time above the very same point. From this vantage point, I believe that it is the authentic commitment to meaningful values and goals (i.e., will to meaning) that has enabled me to navigate, as well as discover the seeds of meaning within, the permanent whitewater of change around me. Who knows, perhaps this is what is meant by the notion of the "path to enlightenment!"

As I travel the world, carrying my message of meaning to and for others, I find myself reflecting upon and learning about my own life in meaningful ways as well. In Prisoners of Our Thoughts, I quote something from Viktor Frankl that is relevant to this very point: "I wish to stress that the true meaning of life is to be discovered in the world rather than within man or his own psyche, as though it were a closed system." [Page 25, Emphasis Added]  Put differently, there is a humanistic concept advanced in South Africa called "UBUNTU" in the Zulu language. UBUNTU can be translated roughly into English as "A person is only a person through other persons."  As I also write in Prisoners of Our Thoughts, UBUNTU is not about relationships per se; rather, it is about human-ness and how only human beings can truly establish the human-ness of others (that is, our human-ness can only be truly expressed as a "reflection" of others). Insofar as Viktor Frankl's humanistic (and existential) philosophy is concerned, we must be able to extend beyond ourselves (Principle #7) so that we can fulfill or realize more of ourselves. 

Reflecting on my article in the Journal for Quality and Participation, this is what I meant by having a "set of core values or principles to guide my thoughts and actions."  In the midst of the permanent whitewater that surrounds us all, ultimately, it is our will to meaning that guides us through the labyrinth of life and enables our growth and learning to light the way.  And while this may not appear to be a "revolutionary" concept, because it happens continuously over our life times, it is "(re)evolutionary!"

So, now, ask yourself...
As you walk the labyrinth that is your life, what set of core values or principles guide your thoughts and actions?  Furthermore, how are you applying the concept of UBUNTU so that you can fulfill and realize more of yourself?

All the best,
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

Celebrating a Life of MEANING

I recently returned from another European trip--this time to England and Germany.  In short, it was a very wonderful, productive, and, once again, meaningful experience.  Indeed, having the opportunity to share the Principles in my book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts, with people around the world can be nothing but wonderful, productive, and meaningful!

News that rocked the foundation of my being
When I returned to my home town of Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, I was struck with news that, quite frankly, rocked me at the very foundation of my being and placed me in a situation where I had to "walk the talk." 

It was the morning after my late night arrival when I learned that a friend of mine in Santa Fe had been killed in a hit and run accident by a drunk driver! Reading about this tragedy in the local newspaper and seeing my friend, Sara's photo on the front page with a caption confirming that she was the victim was, at best, a surreal experience for me. My first reaction was to cry in disbelief. This was followed by a wave of anger driven by the larger social problem and its dire consequences. Then, I felt an emptiness in the pit in my stomach as I recalled the last time that I had seen Sara in town, which had not been that long ago. And because her life partner is also a friend, the agony of the moment seemed to get worse as I reflected on his plight and that of their respective families. 

The next couple of days were filled with feelings of sorrow and compassion, not only for Sara and her immediate family, but also for all of those who had effectively become the "collateral damage" of this unfortunate tragedy, including the community of Santa Fe. It was as if the entire community (Santa Fe means "Holy Faith") had been put to the test, since Sara had been a lifelong resident, was a well-known business entrepreneur, and had established a credible reputation as a social activist, especially in regards to environmental concerns which are core to the spirit of Santa Fe. 

A week of deep self-reflection
The week that followed was also a time of deep self-reflection, both individually and collectively.  Among other things, there was a celebratory gathering in Sara's honor in the Santa Fe National Forest, a place that she held dear and for which she had become one of its most defiant protectors. In a weird way, I guess that I was fortunate to be in town at the time of this gathering, so was able to be present among Sara's family and "community" of friends and kindred spirits. The gathering proved to be a true celebration of Sara's life and legacy as told through many "stories" of her meaning-full approach to living.

To be sure, Sara's life was tragically cut short. Her loss will be felt by those who were fortunate to have been touched by her grace, and she will be missed. I am blessed for being one of those who will feel her loss and who will miss her. You see, Sara (and her partner) was very familiar with my meaning-centered work and my book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts. Moreover, I would even say that she resonated with the Principles that I espouse and, more importantly, she practiced them naturally in her daily life. She lived her life with meaning and viewed life as being inherently meaningful. So, as I reflect upon her loss, I also see how her legacy of meaning can never be really lost. 

Practicing what I preach
Upon my return from Europe, I was faced with an opportunity to "walk the talk" and "practice what I preach" in real time.  Believe me, I found myself digging deep, in an existential sense, and relying at different times on all seven Principles that I describe in Prisoners of Our Thoughts as I struggled with Sara's death. It was not easy; it never is.  At the same time, I've gained an increased appreciation for the meaning of life's moments (Principle 3) and, because of Sara's living example, am now even more committed to a life of meaning and practicing what I preach.

Questions for you          
Have you ever felt a loss or tragedy similar to what I have described here?  How did you respond? 
What did you learn from the situation and, more importantly, how did you grow and develop from the experience? 

I would be interested to hear your thoughts and feelings on this matter.

All the best,
Alex

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

Buy a copy of PRISONERS OF OUR THOUGHTS:
Viktor Frankl's Principles at Work
by Alex Pattakos, Ph.D.

AN INCONCEIVABLE TRUTH: The Lost Generation of Palestine

I’m writing this post in Lisboa (Lisbon), Portugal, where I continue to share the meaning-centered message described in my book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts.

Legend has it that the City of Lisboa was discovered by the Greek, Ulysses, and the ancient Castelo de São Jorge, which sits at the very top of the highest hill in Lisboa has a tower named after him.  The “Tower of Ulysses” houses the Periscope, an optical system invented by Leonardo Da Vinci in the 16th Century and the only one in Portugal, giving a 360 degree view of the City.  The oldest remains found here date back to the 6th Century BC, where evidence of the Phoenicians, Romans, and Moslems abound.

Taken from the Moors and absorbed into Portuguese territory in 1147, Lisboa was proclaimed capitol of the kingdom in 1252.  It became the first European trading port for importing merchandise from the newly-discovered Atlantic islands, the shores of Africa, the Americas and Asia, and became a site for the converging of these respective cultures and faith-based traditions.

As you can imagine, being here--in an environment where there is so much evidence of the rich history and convergence of diverse cultures and faiths--is truly enlightening and, yes, meaningful.  Such an experience, however, also serves to bring other aspects of the human condition into sharper focus, including shedding light on the “existential divide” that still casts its long shadow on life in the postmodern era.  It is as if one is able to look at life through Da Vinci’s Periscope from high atop the Tower of Ulysses!

In this regard, I was struck in a very profound way by an article that I read in the Times Digest (a publication service of The New York Times that is distributed to business travelers here), entitled “Palestinians Fear a Generation of Nihilists.”  The worried parents call them the lost generation of Palestine and “its most radical, most accepting of violence and most despairing.”  These are the children of the second intifada that began in 2000.  The article underscores that this generation is growing up in a territory riven by infighting, seared by violence, occupied by Israel, largely cut off from the world and segmented by barriers and checkpoints.  They are young people who have no hope in either the present or the future.  “We never see anything good in our lives,” exclaims one of the youth interviewed in the article.

Like my mentor, Dr. Viktor Frankl, I firmly believe that the primary intrinsic motivation of all human beings is the search for meaning.  Yet, by allowing societal conditions to exist (and persist) that result in a "generation of nihilists," we are creating much more than a manifestation of collateral damage or other contemporary political-speak.  By robbing people (in this case an entire generation of human beings) of their very human-ness, that is, their inherent capacity to search for meaning, civilized society is effectively plotting its own demise whether it "knows" it or not.  In my view, nihilism on such a broad scale is a lost cause, no matter what the original intent.  And insofar as the lost generation of Palestine is concerned, we all should pay heed to Jimmy Carter’s new book, Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid, and seek a peaceful, authentic resolution that will help to restore hope to the youth who's cry for meaning can be heard loud and clear in Lisboa and around the world.  And from my elevated perch on the Tower of Ulysses, I can see that we will only be able to find common ground by going to a higher ground.    

I would be interested to hear your thoughts and feelings on this matter.  Besides the current situation in Palestine...

What do you think about my argument that we can not afford to produce a "generation of nihilists?"  Do you agree?

All the best,
Alex

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

Buy a copy of PRISONERS OF OUR THOUGHTS:
Viktor Frankl's Principles at Work
by Alex Pattakos, Ph.D.

Pictures of Lisboa, Portugal