The Meaning Difference

REALIZE YOUR WILL TO MEANING

Welcome "home" to the PRISONERS OF OUR THOUGHTS conversation series!  As part of The Meaning Difference Blog, we want to devote space (and time) to a discussion of each of the meaning-centered principles described in my book, PRISONERS OF OUR THOUGHTS.  In an earlier post, we introduced you to the first of Viktor Frankl’s principles, "Exercise the Freedom to Choose Your Attitude"  If you missed the post, I think you will benefit from reviewing it (even would like or need a refresher) as we move on to the second principle:

PRINCIPLE 2: REALIZE YOUR WILL TO MEANING---commit authentically to meaningful values and goals that only you can actualize and fulfill.

Unlike Sigmund Freud’s belief that as human beings we are driven by what he called the Pleasure Principle, known also as the "will to pleasure," and unlike Alfred Adler’s belief that, because human beings are born with feelings of inferiority, we are therefore driven by an innate need to strive for superiority over others (and our environment), know also as the "will for power," Frankl considers our main concern as people to be fulfilling a meaning and actualizing values---what he refers to as the will to meaning.  This primary, intrinsic motivation, in Viktor Frankl's view of human beings, stands in stark contrast to both those of Freud and Adler, who effectively reduce human behavior simply to the gratification and satisfaction of drives and instincts (a kind of "Who Moved My Cheese?" approach). 

In Prisoners of Our Thoughts, I cite a number of business examples we all recognize for each of these principles:

· Will to Pleasure – Tyco CEO Dennis Kozlowski’s $2 Million birthday bash that he threw for his wife at company expense.

· Will to Power – Ken Lay (Enron) and Bernie Ebbers (Worldcom).

· Will to Meaning - Those CEOs, who although they may also want (or seek) pleasure and authority, demonstrate that the primary motivation for their existence is neither.  Bill Hewlett and David Packard demonstrated Frankl’s will to meaning principle, building Hewlett-Packard from a one-car garage into one of the world’s most admired success stories.  It was a particular set of meaningful values, known as "The HP Way" that guided them in identifying and meeting their objectives, in working with one another, and in dealing with customers, shareholders, employees and others.

Besides these and other examples in my book, of course, there are many others that could be mentioned.  In this regard, I'm sure that you can identify illustrations of each of these principles from your own experience.  And let's not forget the examples that, especially of the will to pleasure and the will to power, that are "exposed" by the mass media.  The recent revelations of the sexual escapades of elected officials, such as former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, underscore that both of these principles continue to trump the will to meaning among those responsible for managing the public's business!

"A man who becomes conscious of the responsibility he bears toward a human being who affectionately waits for him, or to an unfinished work, will never be able to throw away his life. He knows the ‘why’ for his existence, and will be able to bear almost any ‘how’.”
--- Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning

PUTTING MEANING INTO THIS CONVERSATION...
I'd really like know what you've experienced...and observed in your work and everyday life in regards to these different motivational forces.  Recall a situation in your personal or work life where you were challenged to examine your commitment to meaningful values or goals.  This may even be your current situation.  Perhaps it was or is a relationship or a job assignment that isn’t lining up with your personal values.  Perhaps you were or are just unhappy with the work you are doing.

Consider these questions…
· How did you first recognize this challenge?  What were the first signs?

· What, if anything, did you do? What would you like to do?

· How do you ensure that you remain committed to meaningful values and goals, thereby realizing your will to meaning in your life and work (or in your workplace)?

I invite you to share your thoughts and experiences.  I  look forward to learning about how you have recognized and continue to realize your will to meaning.

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! Learn more

Buy a copy at Amazon.com

International Bestseller! PRISONERS OF OUR THOUGHTS is included in the national Top-10 bestseller list for nonfiction books by EL PERIÓDICO, a national newspaper of Spain!

The Power and Meaning of FORGIVENESS

Getting to forgiveness is perhaps the most challenging thing that we can do to go "beyond ourselves."  This is especially hard to do when we are at work because our emotional ties may not be as strong, and therefore neither is the motivation to forgive.

Forgiveness means letting go of our suffering.  It has much more to do with our own well-being that that of the person we forgive.  When we hold on to our suffering--our resentment, hurt, anger--we are inside ourselves with self-pity.  It becomes a veil through which we see ourselves and others; it becomes something we have to feed, keep alive, and justify.  If we don't, we think we allow the other person to be "right" in their unjust treatment of us.

But forgiveness can be one of the most powerful things we do.  Like any muscle, however, it has to be exercised to work well. Forgiveness can be complicated.  Sometimes we think that it equates to forgetting, diminishing, or condoning the misdeed, but it doesn't.  It has much more to do with freeing ourselves from its hold. Our ability to live our lives with love and generosity is impeded when we don't forgive.  It doesn't mean that we have to love and be generous to the woman who was disloyal to us at work or the man who belittled our ideas at a staff meeting.  It means we forgive them and liberate ourselves from further captivity.  Love and generosity will return in their own time (the same holds true for things that happen to us in our personal lives).

Importantly, when we go beyond ourselves--whether to forgiveness, unselfishness, thoughtfulness, generosity, and understanding toward others--we enter into the "spiritual realm" of meaning.  By giving beyond ourselves, we make our own lives richer.  This is a truth long understood at the heart of all meaningful spiritual traditions.  It's a mystery that can only be experienced.  And when we do experience it, we are in the heart of meaning.  We are no longer "prisoners of our thoughts."

Now ask yourself: Have you ever experienced the spiritual realm of meaning by extending beyond yourself in any of the ways mentioned above?  What is your perspective (and experience) with getting to forgiveness, be it in your personal life or at work? 

If you would like more information about the Logotherapeutic Principle of Self-Transcendence, that is, "Extend Beyond Yourself," see Chapter 10 of my book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts: Viktor Frankl's Principles for Discovering Meaning in Life and Work.

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. 

Eliot "Mess not Ness" Spitzer

There’s a time worn saying in politics that “the office corrupts the man (person).”  Is this what happened to New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, known as the “cape crusader” (Time Magazine had named him “Crusader of the Year” during his two terms as New York attorney general) and as “Eliot Ness” for his battle against corruption, including prostitution rings, and for his valiant efforts to clean up Gotham City?  How, we might ask, could he be so stupid?  Or so hypocritical?  Or so arrogant?!  Did he actually believe that he was above the law and therefore could do whatever he “desired” and wherever he was “driven,” even if it meant being dishonest to his family, constituents, and even to himself?  Whatever happened to “Honest Abe” Lincoln?  For those of you who might not be up on your American history, I’m referring to U.S. President Abraham Lincoln (who, by the way, was a Republican).

Whatever eventually happens to “Client 9,” legally, politically, and personally, it appears that this is a situation in which the “will to pleasure” and “will to power” have trumped the “will to meaning.”  For reasons that may not surface for some time, if ever, Mr. Spitzer’s authentic commitment to meaningful values and goals (i.e., the will to meaning) was sacrificed on multiple levels--personal, family, professional, and political.  Somewhere along his path, Spitzer lost his way; moving the needle on his moral/ethical compass from meaning to power and pleasure.  And, unfortunately, as usually is the case in such matters, there will be collateral damage in the wake of his personal choices.

Of course, especially during this milestone year in American politics, Governor Spitzer’s actions should not be cause to shy away from--and further distrust--those who take their responsibilities to “manage the public’s business” seriously, either as elected/appointed officials or as civil servants.  If anything, Eliot Spitzer has, once again, raised the bar when it comes to public sector ethics (even though I’m sure that he had not planned to do so in this particular way!).  Individually and collectively, let’s seek to learn and grow from the Eliot “Mess.”  Let’s hold our public officials responsible and accountable for “walking their talk” by demonstrating that we, the electorate, won’t take it any more!  And, as odd as it may seem, let’s thank Eliot Spitzer for demonstrating why it is so vitally important to raise the bar of expectations for those who seek elected office.  Indeed, we should make it perfectly clear that serving as a guardian of the public trust and interest is nothing less than a noble calling.  And as such, we fully expect and demand that our public officials demonstrate that it is the will to meaning, not power or pleasure, that guides their decisions and actions.

What thoughts come to mind for you as you think about
choosing meaning over power and pleasure in your own life?

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! Learn more

Buy a copy at Amazon.com

International Bestseller! PRISONERS OF OUR THOUGHTS is included in the national Top-10 bestseller list for nonfiction books by EL PERIÓDICO, a national newspaper of Spain! 

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