What is the meaning of life?? or a better question is, what is YOUR meaning in life?
HELLOOOO! Welcome to Uplift your Mayhem MONDAY!
I’m excited you are here! First off I have a couple questions for you.
What contribution are you making to the world? What purpose do you feel you have each day? When things are smooth sailing are you happy? Now ask yourself that same question when things start to go through a rough patch.
This last week I have started to read A Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl. If you have not read this book I HIGHLY recommend it. It is the story of Viktor E. Frankl and his experiences he had during World War II in the concentration camps. He shares many different heartbreaking experiences that happened daily to thousands of refugees.
This book focuses on this question, “How was everyday life in a concentration camp reflected in the mind of the average prisoner?”
A forward written by Harold S Kushner says this:
“Life is not primarily a quest for pleasure, as Freud believed, or a quest for power as Alfred Adler taught, but a quest for meaning. The greatest task for any person is to find meaning in his or her life. Frankl saw three possible sources for meaning: in work (doing something significant), in love (caring for another person), and in courage during difficult times. Suffering in and of itself is meaningless; we give our suffering meaning by the way in which we respond to it.”
I want to go over these three sources Frankl talks about. Throughout this book I am continuously amazed the power the mind has. We are all capable of changing our mindset and focus on something positive and good, even when there is death all around you.
Work
When you are busy creating, serving, working you are putting something back into the world. You are creating meaning to your life by working. The more you give yourself to the world, the more you will receive from the world
Love
Love towards yourself, love towards God, love towards another person is what this life is all about. All of your actions are related to the love you feel to your self and those around you. Frankl shared how he would picture his wife on a hourly basis which he feels was a huge contributor to his survival.
Courage
Courage is another source where we find meaning in our life. Frankl wrote, “a person may remain brave, dignified and unselfish, or in the bitter fight for self-preservation he may forget his human dignity and become no more than an animal.”
If you choose courage it provides meaning to your life. “Suffering in and of itself is meaningless; we give our suffering meaning by the way in which we respond to it.”
Filling your life full of work, love and courage will create a meaningful life. Each of us has something to give to this world. Start where you stand and work hard in whatever situation you are in right now. If you had love and courage you will be guided to your purpose in life!
It is exciting and an incredible feeling when you find a purpose.
I hope you have a fabulous week!!