Lessons From Viktor Frankl, Author, and Survivor
Finding purpose in the pandemic
This is a challenging time for many of us. The COVID-19 pandemic has put communities at risk, left millions of workers without jobs or savings, and isolated us in unprecedented ways. And for those of us who are older or who have preexisting health problems, the danger is increased. I think of my mother who has late-stage pulmonary fibrosis, and my 88-year-old grandparents, who are already in ill health.
The danger is real, but the lesson that we can learn is that of perspective.
Our species has survived and even thrived in the aftermath of previous pandemics. The turmoil imposed by these invisible adversaries like the Spanish Flu, smallpox, and black death devastated humankind, but as a resilient species, we ultimately survived.
When it comes down to it, we have endured something much worse: our own cruelty and inhumanity to our brothers and sisters.
Recalling the work of Viktor Frankl and his life-changing book, Man’s Search For Meaning, can give us hope, insight, and perspective as we face these unknown circumstances and challenges.
