Granted this is a painful read. Especially the first part of the book looking at the harrowing experiences of the prisoners in the Nazi concentration camp. For me, the book promotes hope, makes us look at our purpose on earth and count our blessings especially now during the COVID-19 pandemic when there is so much of suffering and despair and a sense of failure.
There is a lot of reference to Frankl’s experiences, some quite vivid, so a box of tissues will come in handy.
When I visit friends and family, I have a strange habit of rifling through their book collections and always finding hidden gems. In my early twenties, I picked up this book from a family member and couldn’t put it down. I was still quite young for the book to have any kind of impact. When I read it again for the third time in December 2020 it ticked so many boxes based on what is going on in the world today.
The book refers to the Tragic Triad of Suffering, Death and Guilt. Yes, we will all go through these stages at some point in our lives, many of us going through it right now. However, there is a positive outcome, as we learn to deal with the suffering that we encounter in life, it makes us emerge stronger and positive. I encourage you to start a gratitude journal.
If you are a therapist or leaning in this direction or just keen to expand your knowledge, then you will enjoy Frankl’s explanation about “Logotherapy”. The use of examples and case studies, helps to bring the understanding home in the second section of the book.
Watch a video summary of this meaningful book below:
Key Takeaway
Check out here for some information as you start your gratitude journal, “Gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.”
Let me leave you with this wonderful quote as you start looking to purchase your copy of Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning”.
To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.
Friedrich Nietzsche
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Happy Reading!