This week I bring a quote from Viktor Frankl, a concentration camp survivor. He wrote the book “Man’s search for meaning”, which is one of the most inspirational books I have ever read. His book has inspired readers from all walks of life.
He was a psychiatrist and head of the department of neurology at Rothschild hospital in Vienna, a Jewish hospital that was closed down by the National Socialist government. He got a U.S. immigration visa but he stayed in Vienna to not leave his aging parents behind. They all were arrested and deported to four different concentration camps.
In his book, he points out that “to achieve personal meaning, one must transcend subjective pleasures by doing something that points and is directed, to something, or someone, other than oneself… by giving himself to a cause to serve or another person to love.” Staying with his parents was the living proof of his beliefs.
It wasn’t his imprisonment though, that led him to this way of thinking. His work with dying patients and quadriplegics sufferings has originated his argument that the quest for meaning is the key to mental health and human blossoming.
As a prisoner, the meaning of his life was profoundly tested. His survival is explained mostly by his will to live and his attitude towards suffering. He says that “suffering is not necessary to find meaning, only that meaning is possible in spite of suffering.”
He wanted to live for his wife, brother, and parents. He had a steely resolve to never give up or commit suicide. He wanted to finish his book on logotherapy and wanted to live for his future.
After his liberation in 1945, he found out that he had lost his entire family. Contrary to many colleagues who then emigrated to other countries, he decided to remain in Vienna to help post war psychiatric patients, and made a very successful career.
Viktor rebuilt his life, remarried, and continued working as a psychiatrist, helping people find new meaning in their lives. He believed that ‘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.’
He found meaning for his life and dedicated it to help others find theirs.
I will leave you yet again with another one of his quotes:
“The world is in bad state, but everything will become still worse unless each of us does his best.”
How contemporary this quote is, isn’t it? In whatever we do in life, there will always be something we can change, if we give our best to ourselves and to others.
I am posting for Silver Threading Event, Writer’s Quote Wednesday. If you love quotes, it is the place to be.
I am also posting for the Photo101 Rehab, the event for everyone who loves photography (hobbyists, amateurs, pro-shooters, or just curious , anyone is welcome), and wants to join a community of like-minded people, who are also fun to connect with.
Want to know how to join? Check below.
Here is what ‘The Clinic Photo Rehab is:
This blog hosted ‘The Photo101 Rehab Clinic’ from 04 to 31 December 2014 and featured over 170 photos made by Photobloggers Andy Townend, Mara Eastern, Cardinal Guzman, DesleyJane, Justine, Amy, Teresa, Albert, Terri, Giving Thought, Ellen, Nalinki, Mariangeles, DwayCrafts, Lucy, Terri, Bampa’s Views, PeaceCrafting, Dreaming of Leaving and Project Easier.
As former patients informed me that the withdrawal symptoms remained active, and new patients recognized the same symptoms, The Clinic – Photo Rehab reopened its doors.
You can do a self-examination. If you detect any of the following symptoms, as carefully described by Albert from the blog Passionately Curious, come and join us: “Withdrawal symptoms may include the incessant need to carry your camera everywhere with you, the need to wake up in the wee hours to take photos during the golden hour, and checking up on others you met during the course to see what their newfound knowledge has brought fruit to.”
How to join:
Time: The Clinic is open 24 x 7 until the healing process ends.
Camera: You can use any camera, from DSLR, mirrorless, compact, to smartphones.
Theme: Bring your creativity and photograph a theme of your liking in B&W or Color. With or without edition. We like learning techniques as well, if you want to share it with everyone.
Who can join: Anyone can join; and not only former Photo 101 bloggers. All you need is passion. Passion to speak up through images – or words, if you may want to add your thoughts to it as well – showing what you see and how much that is important to you.
Thanks for joining and enjoy it.
The Clinic – Photo Rehab
Here is the link to add your photos. Knock the wall… and click on the image below:
Even if you don’t want to join in, click above and appreciate the beautiful photos of the former and current participants. Go and check their wonderful blogs as well:
Musings from a Frequent Flying Scientist
Sights & Insights 
Thank you. I needed that today on a day that I have felt less control and was headed to overly frustrated! Brought me back some much needed perspective. Cheryl
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cheryl, it is always rewarding to share thoughts that are not only useful to me. I’m happy it helped you too. Cheers. Lucile
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful post!
LikeLike
Thanks, Angeline. Appreciate your visit.
LikeLike
Wonderful post
LikeLike
Thanks much.
LikeLike
I read Frankel’s book in college, finding it to be very good. Funny thing, I just put a copy of it away today at the public library where I work. That last quote makes me think of the state of affairs today. So much unrest and bigotry and hatred and violence. You’d think we learned something about respect for human life following World War II.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s really a coincidence. Your words on today’s state of affairs resonate with me. Apparently we really don’t learn from history. Thanks so much for reading and adding very thoughtful words to this post.
LikeLike
Great post, meaning of life is a difficult topic, need to be brave to discuss it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Appreciated!
LikeLike
Love this post. I’m going to put that book on my Goodreads “want to read” list right now, before I forget.
LikeLike
Thanks Amy. You won’t regret the reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lucile, yet again you share with us the most amazing quotes, spoken by the most amazing people.. Thank you for enlightening me to Victor Frankl…
LikeLike
Thank you Lia, for appreciating this post. I try to bring meaningful thoughts and am glad you liked it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You find the perfect quotes each week. That last one in particular is perfect – current, resonant, providing some well-needed perspective.
LikeLike
Sorry my dear, I totally miss to reply to you. Thank you so much for the lovely comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure. And no worries 😀
LikeLike
You’re lovely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This quote is so actual….
We really need someone reminding us of generosity!
Thank you, Lucile for your great post
LikeLike
Apologies for replying so late to your considerate comment. Heartfelt thanks, Anna. You’re surely a very generous person, and needs no reminder!
x
LikeLike
The meaning of life quote is just wonderful. So self-fulfilling if people would take the time to think about and apply it. Great post, Lucile.
LikeLike
Apologies for such late reply, Lois. I fully concur with your views. Thanks much for your comment.
LikeLike
Thank you, dear Lucile, for putting this book in my radar. He sounds like a very special and wise person and I shall have to read his book. I’ve read many books about WWII survivors and they can be so heartbreaking but also, an inspiration of hope from the amazing attitudes of the survivors.
LikeLike
I am so sorry to reply so late, Barbara. Apologies.
I hope you like his book. I don’t normally read a book twice, but this was an exception. I do hope to not disappoint you. I found it very inspirational.
Cheers!
LikeLike
A great book for your quote. I’m amazed at the resiliency of humans in the worst conditions. Your summary reminded my of the Apostle Paul’s life as chronicled in the New Testament.
LikeLike
Million apologies for such a late reply. Only today I am answering to the comments of this post.
Thanks for mentioning the Apostle Paul’s life.
I fully agree with your words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These quotes are so beautiful and timeless, Lucile. I will have to put “Man’s Search for Meaning” on my to read list. I’m always interested in the works of concentration camp survivors and this one sounds particularly fascinating. I took a Holocaust Literature and Film class in college so I’m surprised I haven’t heard of Viktor Frankl before…we read Primo Levi, Jean Améry, Tadeusz Borowski, and quite a few others…well, I guess there’s only so much time in one semester and it would be impossible to read everything.
I also adore the picture at the top…the fact that we are still telling Anne’s story is one example us trying our best, I think.
LikeLike
Dear Britta, apologies for the late reply. You left such a thoughtful comment and I hope I haven’t upset you.
You indeed came across many books on the Holocaust and I think it would be impossible to cover them all. They might be quite similar although each experience is very unique. Viktor was a doctor and perhaps with clinical eyes, could also observe what was happening to others and how they reacted to it.
Thanks for liking the photo. Anne’s story is indeed a great example. Agree with you.
Warm regards,
Lucile
LikeLike
Oh, don’t worry, Lucile. I did wonder, but I figured life got in the way, as it has a tendency to do sometimes.
In may ways, all Holocaust memoirs are very similar. After all, the Nazi regime was quite systemic in the way it carried out the final solution. At the same time, every survivor has a unique experience seen through their own perceptions of the world. I do appreciate individual accounts because of that. It makes the Holocaust, which can at times seem so far away and so difficult to comprehend, so much more human. I will try to get around to reading Victor…I am really quite intrigued now.
Best,
Britta
LikeLike
I’m grateful for your understanding, Britta. And thanks for sharing so much knowledge about the theme. I haven’t read many books like these but have watched many documentaries sharing survivors stories. Always very touching and incredibly compassionate and forgiving people. I guess that when you have been through the worse, you become somehow someone who can more easily choose what to waste life’s previous time with, rather than entertain anger and hatred.
If you ever read Viktor, let me know what you think.
Best wishes.
Lucile
LikeLiked by 1 person
Words like this make you think just what is wrong with some people. Why do we do the things we do some times? And how powerful the human spirit. Where in the world do you get all your energy (and time) to write this stuff (and take photos). I haven’t even done Siri yet!! Is the Ann Frank photo yours? If so, how did you get the quote on it?
LikeLike
Sorry for my late reply, Badfish. Life got in the way.
You are right about your assessment. There has always been bad and good, right and wrong and this will never change. Unfortunately.
But the human spirt always prevails.
Do you know why I’m so late replying? Because I didn’t have all the time I needed (and energy) to blog, reply to comments, read other blogs and comment, and do all the other life activities.
Have you tried Siri?
Yes, The photo is mine.
You can put quotes on your photos or whatever text you want if you use either picmonkey or pixrl. You can download it for free from the web.
LikeLiked by 1 person
YOU! ran out of time? And energy? No way. But understandable. I can barely reply to comments, let alone go shoot photos, or write a new post, or read other blogs. I have not quite even got around to Siri. But by next week, I should have time. Good thing there is always a next week. I found a free site to add words to photos the other day, tried it. It’s called Canva. Heard of it?
LikeLike
Oh yes, I do. I’m not a cyborg yet. 😉 I can overdo a lot but pay a price later. Multitasking is not clever nor healthy.
Blogging should not be a burden otherwise the good feeling is over. When I started joining courses and went from one to another, I got the vibe and the fast pace, but had to sleep less hours as the world around me didn’t stop to wait for me. I’m currently reducing my activities and although I may post daily, I will schedule many over the weekend. I will write less and share more photos, which takes less time as well. However, I haven’t yet figured out how to be updated with replying to comments and reading each other’s blogs. It’s just overwhelming. But as you said, there is always a next week. I was answering last night to posts one week old. Not guilty.
I am going to check this Canva site! Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
All is good in the world. And yeah, I don’t want blogging to be a chore. It’s not. It’s all that other stuff I gotta do that is the chore! Canva seems very easy. I put words on a photo. If I can, anyone can.
LikeLike
Blogging has given me the opportunity to practice my one true love: writing. I believe writing is an exercise; indeed, a form of meditation. The act of writing puts my thought into perspective. Keeps me from becoming stuffed up, too moody, too lost. It allows me to put my past into perspective, and turn all my mistakes into assets rather than liabilities. Reaching out through the written word is one of the neatest things I get to do with my day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, I hear that! Blogging, for me, has offered a form of discipline that I otherwise do not have when it comes to actually putting something down on paper…er…cyber.
LikeLike
That’s excellent! So you are becoming cyber!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not really and truly cyber. But there are certain things that make life easy.
LikeLike
In response to the quote. You have though your friendship and support.
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I came to you by way of Julia usually when she says something I listen so glad I did
From what I can see and read I will be back
As always Sheldon
LikeLike
Thanks much for dropping by, Sheldon, and also for the lovely comment. Much appreciated. I’m happy you like what you see here.
LikeLike
Hi Lucile, I’ve long admired the work of Viktor Frankl. In particular, the notion that even when it seems everything is taken, we can still choose attitude. And sometimes holding to that takes steely resolve, which he certainly had. Great post, thank-you.
LikeLike
Hi Jill, his experiences and words are indeed remarkable and I often reminded myself of those, when I don’t have the same steely resolve.
Thanks for reading and I am happy you liked it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great quote very moving and thoughtful,thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
You’re most welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person