Over the last few weeks a few friends of mine have been working through thoughts based around an excellent book by Viktor E Frankl called, Man's search for meaning.
The people I'm talking about have had to do difficult things in life and, as often is the case with such people, remnants remain, scars and other things, and that usually leads down one path or another, good or bad I suppose. We've used our experiences to learn about ourselves and to find better ways forward and we've been discussing the experiences and thoughts of the book's author recently and drawing parallels.
I thought I'd share a few quotes from the fellow, Viktor E Frankl, in a post or two and to see if they brought any of y'all to some thoughts or conclusions of your own.
"Happiness must happen, and the same holds for success: you have to let it happen by not caring about it." - Viktor E. Frankl
Feel free to comment with your thoughts or feelings about the quote above if you're so inclined.
Design and create your ideal life, tomorrow isn't promised - galenkp
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I've always enjoyed considerable success in business, largely because success itself was never my primary motivation. I concentrated instead on providing an excellent service at a fair price, and the success invariably followed.
I think that's exactly one of the points this quote is about. Thanks for weighing in.
Ironic, right before seeing this post, I just finished reading a few pages of the book. :)
Found in my personal and work life that success does require some thought and effort toward it. Not sure you can just not care. But then again, ones idea of success can differ. As far as happiness, I tend to agree. That is more a state of mind.
I'm glad to hear you're working through it. Worth reading slowly to pick up all th little nuances.
I think it refers a little more to not being egotistical about one's success, boastful. Some focus on the wrong things when it comes to success (whatever success looks like for them), they seek it to them lord it over others, and I believe that may be what Frankl is alluding to.
The good thing about these sort of quotes is that a person (each individual) will apply it to themselves in the way that suits them though; that's what makes it unique and suited to them personally.
Yeah, I am not far into the book. However, it is interesting how I can sort of relate to some of what he talks about. Not that I could ever relate to being a prisoner like that. But relate to using coping mechanisms like he does during adverse situations.
I think that's one of the big takeaways; coping mechanisms.
Hello, Galenkp, hugs from the Caribbean. To paraphrase this author, who I love to read, I can tell you with certainty from my experience that, as much as possible, I redefine my success, choosing the battles I want to win. I say this because in nature the survival of what survives and what dies, is not always associated with brute force, for example an old and firm tree can break branches in a storm while a finite and very thin branch weak, flexible, bends and straightens in the same storm.
What happens when winning those battles you choose to win eludes you? How do you then handle those occasions?
I only manage my strategic thinking, Galenkp, which I recommend to anyone who wants to act it, because the mental abyss of believing the idea that we can win everything... It doesn't exist... Your question reminds me of the book Who Took My Cheese? By the way, I'm still reading it. Thanks for reading and commenting.
That's a other good book that those seeking to improve themselves and lives should read.
Being adaptable is not being weak, it is often what suits us, unless the EGO gets in the way and makes us blind. It's an excellent book. Thanks always to you... 🌹
Sometimes the sweetest things are definitely the most serendipitous. Too many people waste their time chasing things when they should just let them come to them.
Agreed. I think the trick is knowing when and what to push forward towards.