Power, prestige, wealth, and pleasure are poor substitutes for meaning. In this short clip Dr. Frankl discusses the need each person has, "... to find and fulfill a meaning in his life or in each life situation confronting him. If he is aware of this situation he will undergo sacrifice, suffering, and deprivation to fulfill the meaning."
I remember the first time I was given two days to live. My first thoughts still ring true today. First, do the people around me know that I love them? (they gave me meaning) Second, did I matter? (did I give meaning to them) In that moment I realized that life is precious and that it has meaning. I have watched survivors thrive in the face of significant adversity when they had a meaning to fulfill. I have seen people close to death maintain or regain consciousness for that one last person who needed to be at their bedside. I have seen others who wanted to survive but their family/friends/support group didn't think they would or could - and I watched them waste away. Today, take an inventory of the people that give you "a meaning to fulfill" and do something significant for them! Even if it's just telling them how you feel about them (which is no small feat and far from insignificant). They will respond in refreshing ways. They will stand taller. They will smile with more warmth. They will return the compliment to you in ways that are meaningful to you. Don't let this opportunity pass you by.
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