We have the power to choose our own values from "summary" of Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Emil Frankl
In the face of suffering, one thing becomes clear: the power to choose our own values. This ability, this freedom, is perhaps the most precious gift we possess as human beings. When all else is stripped away - our possessions, our status, even our physical bodies - what remains is our capacity to decide how we will respond to the challenges that life throws our way. It is easy to fall into the trap of believing that our circumstances dictate our values, that we are at the mercy of forces beyond our control. But this is a dangerous illusion, one that can lead us down a path of despair and resignation. In truth, our values are not determined by our external conditions, but by the choices we make in the face of those conditions. This power to choose our values is not something that can be taken from us. It is an inherent part of our humanity, a core aspect of what it means to be human. No matter how dire our situation may be, we always retain the ability to decide how we will respond. This is a source of strength, a wellspring of resilience that can sustain us even in the darkest of times. In the concentration camps, where suffering was a constant companion and death lurked around every corner, this power to choose our values took on a new significance. In the midst of unimaginable horror, Viktor Frankl observed that some individuals were able to find meaning and purpose in their suffering. They were able to hold onto their values, to cling to their sense of what was truly important, even when everything else had been taken from them. This ability to choose our values, to find meaning in the face of suffering, is what ultimately separates those who are able to endure the most extreme hardships from those who succumb to despair. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, to the power of the mind to transcend even the most dire circumstances. In the end, it is our values that define us, that give our lives meaning and purpose. And it is our power to choose those values that allows us to rise above our circumstances, to find hope in the midst of despair, and to create a life that is rich and fulfilling, no matter what challenges we may face.
Similar Posts
The liberation of concentration camps exposed the world to the horrors of Nazi atrocities
The liberation of the concentration camps by the Allied forces in the final months of the war brought to light the full extent ...
He risked his life to tell the truth
The man stood before the judge, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew the consequences of his actions, yet he refused to bac...
Wannsee Conference and the Final Solution
The Wannsee Conference was a meeting of high-ranking Nazi officials held in Berlin on January 20, 1942. The conference was conv...
Rebuilding their lives proved to be a daunting task for the women
The war had left them with nothing but ruins and rubble. The women had to start from scratch, picking up the fragmented pieces ...
Cultivating a sense of purpose helps us navigate challenges
In our journey through life, we are bound to encounter numerous challenges and obstacles. These challenges can come in many for...
The Jews are forced into the Krakow ghetto
The Nazis are herding hundreds of Jews into the Krakow ghetto. Families are torn apart, forced to leave behind their homes and ...
Cling to memories of home
The memories of home were like fragile pieces of glass that I held closely in my mind, afraid to let them slip away. They were ...
Our potential for growth is limitless
This concept underscores the idea that human beings possess an inherent capacity for personal development and progress that kno...
Setting goals can provide direction and motivation
In life, it is essential to have a sense of purpose, a reason to keep moving forward despite the challenges thrown our way. By ...
Cling to memories of home
The memories of home were like fragile pieces of glass that I held closely in my mind, afraid to let them slip away. They were ...