The meaning of life according to Viktor Frankl is to find a purpose by taking responsibility for ourselves and for the human being. So, be clear, why? We can face all the “how”. Only the free and sure sense of purpose that motivates us can we make changes to create a much nobler reality.
As we know, it’s not as complicated a question as trying to define what we call the “sense of life. “This issue sometimes has philosophical, transcendental and even moral nuances. That’s why we often stay in the classics. “Be happy and make others happy” Are you satisfied with me ?, Doing well ?, Etc.
- “Man can retain a vestige of spiritual freedom.
- Of mental independence.
- Even in the most terrible circumstances of psychological and physical stress.
- -Viktor Frankl-.
However, there are many people who, in trying to answer this question, feel a deep existential vacuum What is the meaning of life for me if I only work, if all my days are equal to each other and if, in fact, do not make sense to anything around me?Faced with such a common situation, the famous neurologist, psychiatrist and founder of logotherapy, Viktor Frankl, used to give a very sensible answer that should lead us to proper reflection.
Human beings have no obligation to define the meaning of life in universal terms. Each will do it his own way, starting from ourselves, based on our potential and our experiences, discovering us daily. Moreover, not only does the meaning of life differ from person to person, but we ourselves will have a vital purpose at every stage of our existence.
The important thing is that every goal gives us satisfaction and courage to get up in the morning and fight for what we want.
Viktor Frankl published in 1945 “Man in Search of Sense”, a book that inspired millions of people to adopt a very firm attitude: the attitude of saying yes to life. Frankl, as we already know, lived through the horrors of the Holocaust when he was imprisoned at Auschwitz and Dachau, an experience he stoically surpassed and then allowed him to lay the foundations for very personal therapy. , a therapy we know as logotherapy.
Moreover, what became very clear to him, after surviving those years and after the loss of his family, is that his personal goal in this world would be nothing more than to help others find their own meaning in life, to choose their own path. On the other hand, as he explained in his work, this goal would be achieved from three very specific points: to work day by day with motivation, to live in love and to have the courage at all times to face adversity.
We will see below what dimensions each of us should work on to find our own life goals.
We have all seen this story at some point in our lives, there are people who, even in the most complex circumstances, stand firm, positive and motivated, even if their reality is dark, how do they do it?What material are your cells, tendons, heart or arteries made of?In fact, we all share the same biological structures, but what sets us apart from these people is the decision.
Being determined to achieve a certain thing, overcome all obstacles and fight for what we want at all times, however small, will help us to be clear about life goals at every stage of our lives.
“They can steal everything from a man except one thing: the last of human liberties?The choice of personal attitude in the face of a set of circumstances?To decide his own path?-Viktor Frankl-
Viktor Frankl explained in his book “Man looking for meaning?”That there is nothing worse than realizing that our suffering is useless, that pain is but an echo of despair.
Sometimes life isn’t fair, sometimes we find it difficult to exhaust, invest time, energy, emotions and a piece of our own heart?and yet fate brings us an ironic setback and every effort, every dream shatters. Breaking down in these cases is more than logical and understandable. However, when this happens to us, we will have two options.
Therefore, we must be able to apply a stronger, more resilient and positive attitude to find a more optimistic and superior sense of life.
Not all answers to our vital questions are abroad, books do not explain what our own meaning of life is and our family or friends have no right to dictate our goals, in fact all our existential needs, passions and goals. are in us And, more interestingly, they change over time as we mature, as we grow as human beings.
So nothing is as important as taking our own freedom and personal responsibility to set our goals, which we will make our own even in the worst circumstances. As Viktor Frankl himself explains, every day and every moment we have the opportunity to make a decision, a decision that will determine whether we will be subjected to circumstances, such as a toy in the hands of fate, or whether we will act with true dignity. , listen to our real self.
Let’s think about the latter. Let us work for our personal freedom courageously, with determination.