Not A Victim - The Story Of Victor Frankl
I am working to digest a chapter in Stephen Covey’s book, The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People. Covey challenges us to be “proactive”, to take personal responsibility and action with how we deal with life, and especially with adversity.
So very many of us play the “blame game”:
(1) We blame genetics, faulting our DNA.
(2) We blame our parents- our childhood experience has created our present foibles.
(3) We blame our environment- someone else, something else, is responsible for our problems.
I’ve done it. Sometimes, when I am truly throwing a “pity party” and I’ve only invited myself to the gathering, I get to thinking that I have been dealt a lousy hand in life. Others are just lucky- I’m not. And, of course, it takes just another small whine to blame God.
Covey tells the story of Victor Frankl, a brilliant Jewish psychiatrist imprisoned in the death camps of Nazi Germany. He was of the tradition of Freudian psychology, which basically ties how we deal with life with childhood experiences. In the death camps, his life-view was severely challenged, and one cannot imagine the extent of the horrors faced by this gentle man. His immediate and extended families were sent to the gas ovens, and he faced terrible torture and ridicule, even being forced to shovel the remains from the ovens.
Left naked and alone in a small room, Frankl came to realize there was one thing the torturers could never take from him- his decision, within himself, concerning how all this was going to affect him. At that moment, he chose to exercise his freedom of self determination. The Germans could control his body, but not his heart! He chose to be a kind person- refusing to lose out to bitterness, hatred, and resignation. He chose to love others- focusing upon the needs of his fellow prisoners, instead of being consumed with self. It was not easy, involving mental exercises and sometimes refusing to go with his emotions. But Frankl won the battle. Even some of the guards came to admire him.
We all have this freedom to choose. You and I are not victims of life or circumstances.
I’m interested: Have any of you read this very popular book? Any personal stories of overcoming difficulties of life by exercising your freedom to choose? Would some of you like to start reading this book with me, and we could discuss it along the way?
05.16.06 (12:17 pm) [
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posted by:
Deviant 1 (
reply)
post date:
05.16.06 (8:26 am)
I am surprised that you have not read Frankl's "Man's Search For Meaning". Give it a read ...
posted by:
mimi (
reply)
post date:
05.16.06 (9:25 am)
I will join you! Sounds like "deliberate creation" which is what i have been working on.
xoxoxo
posted by:
babe4jesus55 (
reply)
post date:
05.16.06 (10:59 am)
Don't have any uplifting sob story to tell, only that when you choose the other route nothing comes of it but bitterness. Someone once told me that bitterness takes only a moment to create but a life time to heal. Just a thought.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
05.16.06 (12:37 pm)
Reply to: mimi
Please get ahold of a copy of this book. I'll bet a used copy goes on Amazon for about 1 cent (plus the $3.49 shipping fee!), or I'm sure the library has multiple copies. I'll tell you the book is written for business people, and is not a religious book per se- although I think Covey is a Mormon. Let me know, and maybe we can post some discussions on the different "habits".
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
05.16.06 (12:39 pm)
Reply to: Deviant 1
Is there a Cliffs Notes, or does it come in comic book version? Seriously, I'll give the book a glance and see if it is something I would be willing to invest myself in. I'm a slow reader, so I have to choose books carefully.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
05.16.06 (12:41 pm)
Reply to: babe4jesus55
I think self-absorbsion is a basic tenent of sin. Selflessness is a reflection of godliness. So this guy may be a secular writer, but he makes a great spiritual point.
posted by:
Deviant 1 (
reply)
post date:
05.16.06 (4:22 pm)
PD,
He is the subject of your post so I thought you might find his own works interesting. I apologize.
The subject matter doesn't really lend itself to "cliff notes" or "comic book versions" as it is Frankl's own words and ideas shaped through his experience during the holocaust.
You are so closed minded from seeing my very name on a comment that you have automatically discounted everything that I say. To the point of not recognizing the subject of your OWN post. It's Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search For Meaning" that I recommended to you, swiftie.
Before you go beaking off about Covey's coopting ideas of Frankl you might try to get a little context around subjects of Covey's book. At least, the ones that are the SUBJECT of your posts.
I read it when I was 10.
Your own words of wisdom:
"I think self-absorbsion is a basic tenent of sin. Selflessness is a reflection of godliness. So this guy may be a secular writer, but he makes a great spiritual point."
Ironic don't you think?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
05.16.06 (5:05 pm)
Reply to: Deviant 1
I do not discount your comments. I really cannot think of anything you have written that has been offensive to me. Honestly, I am pleased that you have taken of your time to offer me a thoughtful comment, and I am sorry that I took your suggestion too lightly. I was being silly with what I said- I know there is no "comic book version" for a great thinker/writer like Frankl. I was introduced to him in a couple of college classes long ago, but I really know very little about him, and would no doubt benefit from his writings. I really liked what Covey had to say, and thought it would be worthwhile to pass it along.
I'm sorry that you think I am closed minded. But, I think my offense here with you is not so much being narrow as being an ass. Sometimes I do that, and you have caught me. And I really should do better.
I accept your admonition and hope you will accept my contrition. Since you have read Covey's book, I would welcome your consideration of my future posts which will come along as I continue to read.
posted by:
kowalski (
reply)
post date:
05.18.06 (2:53 am)
good book. read it. believe some of it is a little idealistic and doesn't help with detail. i prefer 'handbook for heroes' by Barefoot Doctor. search it on amazon. i read it and it made me feel like a hero.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
05.19.06 (5:14 am)
Reply to: kowalski
I did a quick google on this book you recommend. Sounds interesting. Amazon offers it for about 14 bucks, plus shipping. I can get it as an e-book for my handheld for a little less. Since I'm rather cheap, I'll check the library and see if it is available. I also noticed that the same author has written a handbook for sex. Heroes and sex- interesting combination.
posted by:
ksuyi sgydouih (
reply)
post date:
05.14.07 (6:47 pm)
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