Viktor E. Frankl suffered horrific circumstances in Nazi concentration camps. It was natural for his fellow prisoners to look to Frankl, a psychiatrist, for encouragement. Frankl admits it was difficult to "offer [his] comrades a kind of medical care for their souls" when he himself was "cold and hungry, irritable and tired," however, he felt compelled to make the most of any opportunities he had to lift a spirit and prevent a soul from "giving up."
While one could look at the deplorable horrors suffered in a concentration camp and place no blame on any Holocaust victim for losing hope, the story that Frankl tells in Man's Search for Meaning casts light on the incredible potential and strength of the human mind and spirit that allows a person to rise above their circumstances.
Speaking of those to be admired, Frankl says "We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing, the last of the human freedoms--- to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." And there were always choices to make. Every day, every hour..."
Reading about Frankl and his company teaches me an idelible lesson. I look at myself... me... who enjoys the daily necessities and comforts of life, the companionship of loved ones, and the freedom to do as I please. How ungrateful it would be for me to ever feel like a victim of circumstance or to let a negative attitude overshadow the bright light of my many blessings! Indeed, it comes down to choosing my attitude daily, hourly, by the moment. Achieving a certain goal, being in a certain place, or having certain possessions doesn't bring happiness.
Frankl divulges that the key to "tragic optimism, that is, an optimism in the face of tragedy" lies in a person finding meaning in his or her life. "For the meaning of life differs from man to man, from day to day and from hour to hour. What matters, therefore, is not the meaning of life in general but rather the specific meaning of a person's life at a given moment." Frankl quotes Nietzsche's words, "He who has a WHY to live can bear with almost any HOW."
In Man's Search for Meaning Frankl tells of Jerry Long who became quadriplegic at age 17 due to a diving accident. Three years after the accident, Long writes a letter in which he says, "I view my life as being abundant with meaning and purpose. The attitude that I adopted on that fateful day has become my personal credo for life: I broke my neck, it didn't break me. I am currently enrolled in my first psychology course in college. I believe that my handicap will only enhance my ability to help others. I know that without the suffering, the growth that I have achieved would have been impossible."
What a humble display of courage! Of course we will all have challenges, trials and hardships. May we find reason to be grateful during hard times as well as in times of ease and prosperity.
Invitation: Think about and and define the "why" in your life. What makes it meaningful? What hardships have you been through that will make you better able to help others?
Continue to Day 9, Attitude.
For the introduction and list of daily topics for my project, go here.
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