Freedom to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances from "summary" of Man's Search for Meaning, Gift Edition by Viktor E. Frankl
In the midst of the horrors of the concentration camp, I discovered that everything can be taken from a person but one thing: the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances. This freedom, this power to choose one's own way, is the ultimate human capacity, the defining characteristic that sets us apart as individuals. It is the one thing that can never be stripped away from us, no matter how dire the situation may be. In the face of unspeakable suffering and brutality, I realized that I had the power to choose how I would respond. I could choose to despair, to give up, to lose hope. Or I could choose to find meaning in my suffering, to hold onto my sense of dignity and worth. I could choose to see my circumstances as an opportunity for growth, for spiritual development, for the deepening of my own humanity. This choice, this freedom to shape our own attitudes, is what ultimately determines our fate. It is what allows us to rise above our circumstances, to transcend even the most unbearable suffering. By choosing to see our suffering as meaningful, as a necessary part of our journey toward self-actualization, we can find a sense of purpose and fulfillment even in the darkest of times. This freedom is not granted to us by external forces or circumstances. It is not something that can be taken away from us, no matter how much we may be stripped of our physical possessions or freedoms. It is an inherent part of our human nature, a fundamental aspect of our being that no one can ever take away. In the face of unimaginable adversity, we still have the power to choose our own attitude. We can choose to be brave, to be compassionate, to be hopeful. We can choose to see our suffering as a stepping stone to a greater understanding of ourselves and the world around us. And in making that choice, we can find a sense of peace and strength that no external force can ever diminish.
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