Sunday, October 24, 2010
The choice to choose.
In Dr Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning, one of the main premisis of the book is our choice to respond to any situation no matter how difficult it maybe. The one thing that can never be taken from us is our choice to choose our response. We can be stripped of everything, dignity, wealth, food, family and love but we still have the choice to respond with a positive outlook knowing that as bad as things are they can always be worst. Have you ever seen someone laugh when you know they are in pain? Have you seen them smile when their world is crumbling around them. It is people like that that I believe have truly embraced the meaning of life. What have you seen in your experiences either personal or professional that makes this ring true to you?
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Jason, your comments are so timely for me. I just wrote on my blog about my personal battle with loosing a friend to cancer this week. I have been holding on hiding my paing for my other friends as well as his kids so that they will be alright, while deep inside I am hurting myself. You really hit it on the head when you asked the question,"Have you ever seen someone laugh when you know they are in pain?" I don't know if I truly am embracing the meaning of life, but I do know that as the leader among my friends, I have to do what I have to do to hold things together. I'll cry my tears later when all is said and done. Great post man!!!
ReplyDeleteThe power to choose has and continues to be prevelant in my life.
ReplyDeleteI remeber we had a Black History Month program when I was in high school and the title of the program was "Life's Choices". I didn't undertand it then, but as I've gotten older I understand the premise of the play - life is truly all about the choices you make. It amzes me how one choice can change the course of your life forever. It can change for the worse or for the better.
I can think of a book written by an African American male titled "The Other Walter Sims (not his actual name, can't think of it now)". But the book talks about how he and another young man where born in the same year, months apart, in relatively close neighborhoods, in similar family sructure and financial circumstances and with the same name. As they grew up in their low socio-eco neighborhoods and schools, both boys began to get in trouble in school. The mother of the author of the book decided she wanted her son to do better in life, so she sent him to private school. The other young man remained in his neighborhood school. To make a long story short, the young man whom remained in the neighborhood school is currently on deathrow. The author, whose mother made the choice to give of herself and give her son a fighting chance in life, is now successful. Amazing how one choice changed this young mans life while the other's choices led him on a path of disctruction.
So as you stated, all we have in life is the power of choice. We have to pray we make the best choices as we are going along our every day lives and make them such that we don't have any regrets.
My husband and I have been in the pastoral ministry all of our married lives. We have witnessed the lives of many, and the enduring saints with the look of peace in their countenance have always, without exception, walked through dark and often tragic hours. Like the apostle Paul, they have learned in whatever circumstance of life to find contentment. They walk intimately with God, they are filled with blessed assurance, and their faces actually glow with joy. They are also the ones who have sustained my husband and me in our own dark hours. Victor Frankl expresses it well, and his own life is a testimony.
ReplyDeleteIt is so amazing to witness such people. I have some friends that resemble the people you describe. As much as I wish I could say I am this way...I am not. I have been just lately talking with my husband about how I complain so much about the trials I am faced with instead of just turning to God. I am learning!
ReplyDeleteYour post reminds me of Job in the Old Testament. Even though God was allowing Satan to torment him he stayed true to his faith. I have not seen many people go through what you have written about. I don't believe that the generations today are generally "taught" to behave in this way. The generations of the early 20th century were much more apt to "taking whatever life throws at you." I think that this is one of the greatest gifts we can learn from our elders.
ReplyDeleteI agree. The choice we make and the reaction we give others is completely ours to decide on. One lesson I have learned is to give everything time and not react at the moment. Unless it is an emergency, I can react to it later. Often times when I give myself time to think about it and reflect, the problem either solves itself or I am able to see clearer. the control of emotions can be hard at times as well, but if you give yourself time and tell yourself you don't need to react, your emotions will die down and you will be able to think. this is where reflection plays a key role. I think your ability to be still in rough times will take you far.
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