Shift Happens!
by Robert Holden:
The Meaning of Life is Made,
Not Found
Freddie Frankl was a rare psychiatrist. For starters, he was happy! He
was warm, kind, wholehearted and liked to laugh. He was famous for his
motto, "One laugh is worth two tablets". Freddie was like a wise old
owl. I learned a lot from him. I remember him on our last meeting
before his death saying to me, "The search for the meaning of life is
folly - the meaning of life is made, not found."
Freddie's uncle was the internationally renowned psychiatrist, Viktor
Frankl, author of Man's Search for Meaning and founder of Logotherapy,
heralded as "The Third Viennese School of Psychotherapy" after Freud
and Adler. Logos is a Greek word which denotes "meaning". Viktor
Frankl believed that man's search for meaning is the primary
motivation in life.
Viktor Frankl was a survivor of the Nazi concentration camps. His
horrific experiences taught him that people can survive any hardship
if they are able to make a positive meaning out of it. "Even the worst
circumstance can be transformed by our minds," he wrote.
The meaning of life is not a search - it is a choice. Meaning is not
found in things; meaning is what you make of things. The world means
nothing by itself. You give it all the meaning it has. Thus, the
meaning of life is a choice you make, not just once, but every waking
hour of your day.
Life is like art - it is all about interpretation. The moment anything
happens to you, you interpret a meaning for it. The meaning you vote
for then governs your perception, your thinking, your faith, your
choices, your feelings, your behaviors, everything! Whenever you elect
a new meaning, this changes everything. Here is a great key to healing
and success.
An event occurs, and it is your interpretation and meaning that decide
everything thereafter. "There is nothing either good or bad but
thinking makes it so," wrote Shakespeare. For example:
*
Two accidents in quick succession may mean God doesn't care,
or, you need to take care.
*
A boss who spends no time with you may mean he doesn't like you,
or, he trusts you.
*
When he/she doesn't call it may mean the romance is cooling,
or, they are simply busy.
*
A friend acting out of character may mean he/she doesn't love you,
or, he/she is calling for help.
*
Losing your lipstick might mean a world emergency,
or, it's time to buy some more.
*
A speeding ticket might mean the world is out to get you,
or, you need to slow down.
*
A stain on your shirt might mean a drama,
or, nothing.
*
A pink slip might mean the end of your life,
or, a new beginning.
*
Showing your emotions might be a sign of weakness,
or, a show of strength.
*
A failed job interview might mean you lost out,
or, something even better is in store.
Your ego is an avid interpreter. It is so quick to interpret events as
"bad" or "good", "wrong" or "right". It never fails to see "the little
picture". This is particularly so during a "crisis" when so much
judgment, fear, anxiety and panic blots your mind it is almost
impossible to perceive your own best interests.
Whenever I experience any trouble, I try The 180° Shift. I look at
what is troubling me, and I ask myself, "What if 'bad' is 'good',
'wrong' is 'right,' and this 'trouble' is a 'gift'?" The fact is,
"This could mean anything." Shifting my thoughts like this helps to
suspend the ego's fear mongering. It also helps me to be open and
receptive to higher thoughts.
Fear is not in things; fear is only in the meaning you give things.
Pain is not in things; pain is only in the meaning you give things.
Change the meaning, and the fear and the pain are transformed.
Sometimes the greatest fear and pain come from a sense of
meaninglessness in life. Meaning is a choice, not a search, remember?
A sense of meaninglessness is really, therefore, a call to let in
higher awareness and truth.
Right now, practice The 180° Shift. Think of a challenge, something
"wrong," "bad," "painful" or "negative".
Step one: Declare, "This could mean anything."
Step two: Suspend all judgments and clear your mind. Step three:
be open to higher inspiration, a new perception and a more positive
interpretation. Doing The 180° Shift with another person can also be
very beneficial.