The "Why?" by Viktor Frankl

"A man who becomes conscious of the responsibility he bears toward a human being who affectionately waits for him, or to an unfinished work, will never be able to throw away his life. He knows the "why" for his existence, and will be able to bear almost any "how."" ~ Viktor Frankl from Man's Search for Meaning

What's your why?

What unfinished work inspires you? Who waits for your gifts to be delivered? What do you know you're here to do? What do you dare to dream when you really open up to the possibilities of life?!?

What is your why? Find it. And you'll magically endure the burning...

...

"What is to give light must endure burning."

How beautiful is that?

Reminds me of Rumi's poem:

Brother stand the pain Escape the poison of your impulses. The sky will bow to your beauty, if you do. Learn to light the candle. Rise with the sun. Turn away from the cave of your sleeping. That way a thorn expands to a rose. A particular glows with the universal.

And, of course, George Bernard Shaw's infinitely genius rant: "This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no ‘brief candle' to me. It is sort of a splendid torch which I have a hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it over to future generations."

You want to give light?

(I certainly hope that answer is an unequivocal "YES!!")

Then you must endure the burning. You must endure the challenges of discovering who you are and how you're going to fit into this world let alone really LIVE in this world. How you're going to trek out into the forest of your own hero's journey again and again and again. Each time facing your demons and coming back to the world with your gifts. Again and again and again.

It's not going to be "easy." But who wants that anyway?

Remember, we're no longer looking for a way to discharge our tension at any cost—we're looking for a goal worthy of us...a goal that sets us on fire and lights our splendid torches!!! Right?!? :)

To our burning, my friend.

More from Viktor Frankl…

• Viktor Frankl’s Big Ideas
• Viktor Frankl’s quotes
• Buy the book from Amazon!
• Check out the Viktor Frankl’s Site

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