Many people often speak of some past occurrence with either a religious reverence or an eye-wincing distain. This key happening colors their life and subsequent actions. It is a piece of personal trauma that stays with them for the remainder of their physical existence and, ultimately, defines them: think of the writer O. Henry. (1) With that thought in mind, I watched an interview with Dr. Viktor Frankl on YouTube: Finding meaning in difficult times (Interview with Dr. Viktor Frankl). If any human being deserves to be a piece of semi-alive humanity, a shell of his former self, it is this man. Instead, you are presented with a dynamic, wise and warm individual. How is this possible, you may ask? Dr. Frankl tells us that it is about perception, our own brand of hope, if you will. How we see the world, not the circumstance itself, is what defines us. “The pessimist resembles a man who observes with fear and sadness that his wall calendar, from which he daily tears a sheet, grows thinner with each passing day. On the other hand, the person who attacks the problems of life actively is like a man who removes each successive leaf from his calendar and files it neatly and carefully away with its predecessors, after first having jotted down a few diary notes on the back. He can reflect with pride and joy on all the richness set down in these notes, on all the life he has already lived to the fullest. What will it matter to him if he notices that he is growing old? Has he any reason to envy the young people whom he sees or wax nostalgic over his own lost youth? What reasons has he to envy a young person? For the possibilities that a young person has, the future which is in store for him?

No, thank you,’ he will think. ‘Instead of possibilities, I have realities in my past, not only the reality of work done and of love loved, but of sufferings bravely suffered. These sufferings are even the things of which I am most proud, although these are things which cannot inspire envy. … 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.”

Aptly put: During the holidays, I had the opportunity to revisit Krakow, Poland. I went to school here a very, very long time ago. The experience seemed to be almost eerie for nothing had changed since my first arrival: the buildings looked the same; the city had the same sense of slightly-aged elegance and the populace still enjoyed sophisticated dress and traditional balls. I almost immediately fell back into my old routine: a quiet evening supplanted by intimate conversation, a good book and an early sleep. The morning dawned bright and crisp at half past six or, at the latest, seven. The true difference was that some forty years had passed. Now, should I lament the epoch that has transpired between my initial sojourn and today? I think not for in the intervening period, I have lived an interesting and some would say adventurous life: not all good and not all bad, but to my timid self almost audacious. Is this not the lesson that we want to impart to our family, friends and loved ones? Live your life, for it is “your” life, not the province of someone else. How many people study what an authority figure (parent, mentor or classmate) tells them to study only to awaken as a 40-year-old: sad, despondent and miserable? Record levels of alcoholism, drug addiction and clinical depression (2) would suggest that too many “fall victim” to some form of societal neurosis. It is, rather sadly, all based on choice. We must fight against the paradigms that constrict human freedom at any age. Today our model is stability: we must get a secure (read boring) job to be safe and save money. Why you may ask? You will need money when you retire, is the response. Certainly, frugality and stewardship of ones resources is an intelligent approach to life, but should this totally color our present job choices? I think not: be a little brave. You won’t be disappointed. Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) leaves us with a thought: “Let the first act of every morning be to make the following resolve for the day:
– I shall not fear anyone on Earth. 
– I shall fear only God. 
– I shall not bear ill will toward anyone. 
– I shall not submit to injustice from anyone. 
– I shall conquer untruth by truth. And in resisting untruth, I shall put up with all suffering.”        

      

A small joke: Jim was not very clever and was always getting fired from his job. He was, however, kind and industrious. His uncle, being a good-hearted businessman, offered him a position at one of his factories. He sat in on the interview to assist his nephew. There was a key question: Have you ever had any problems with the law: explain? ’“So Jim,” said his relative, “What is your response?” “No, because I never got caught,” was his quick answer.       

 

This week, please reflect on how you control your own life.

 

Every day look for something magical and beautiful.

Quote: It is important to spend some time to discover what you really enjoy, where your passion truly lies. No one can do this for you: it is your solitary travail. The result will benefit many through your good humor and success.   

Footnotes:

1) O. Henry