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mary g.'s avatar

Here are quotes from Victor Frankl in Man's Search for Meaning (it's a great book!):

We can discover the meaning in life in 3 different ways: 1) by creating a work or doing a deed; 2) by experiencing something or encountering someone; and 3) by the attitude we take toward unavoidable suffering.

The first, the way of achievement or accomplishment, is quite obvious. …. The second way of finding a meaning in life is by experiencing something—such as goodness, truth and beauty—by experiencing nature and culture, or, last but not least, by experiencing another human being in his very uniqueness—by loving him.

We must never forget that we may also find meaning in life even when confronted with a hopeless situation when facing a fate that cannot be changed. For what then matters is to bear witness to the uniquely human potential at its best, which is to transform a personal tragedy into a triumph, to turn one’s predicament into a human achievement. When we are no longer able to change a situation—just think of incurable disease such as inoperable cancer—we are challenged to change ourselves.

There are situations in which one is cut off from the opportunity to do one’s work or to enjoy one’s life; but what can never be ruled out is the unavoidability of suffering. In accepting this challenge to suffer bravely, life has a meaning up to the last moment, and it retains this meaning literally to the end. In other words, life’s meaning is an unconditional one, for it even includes the potential meaning of unavoidable suffering.

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L.A.'s avatar

I am soooo proud of you! This was not an easy birth, however your 'baby' is terrific! Discussions on content to follow, so many avenues for thought. Mwah!

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