EILEEN ADLER

Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844-1900) whose work has had an impact on so many of us, was a scholar who studied philosophy in depth. Although viewed by some as revolutionary, he has left us with this thought to ponder: “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” Going through tough times and coming out on the other side may be viewed as a badge of honor when we feel braver, more powerful and more ready to take on the next struggle. 

The question I will pose is this: how does one journey to the other side to get stronger? What skills, methods, techniques, or help might we employ along the way so apathy doesn’t sneak in blunting our emotions and providing an environment where insensitivity might flourish?

The answer can be found in one word: PURPOSE. Yes, having a purpose, a reason to get out of bed and start the day begins with a purpose. It’s important that we have a choice and a voice leading us to our goal. Although we want our lives to be pleasurable, it is more important to find meaning in our lives. Dr. Viktor Frankl describes finding this goal within three criteria, 1.) with work – doing something significant. 2.) in love – empathy for another, and 3.) with courage – finding strength during difficult times.

Dr. Viktor Frankl (1905-1997) explains that the external world can deprive us of our goal but our intrinsic, our fundamental objective is our ability to choose how we will respond to stressors as care partners, explaining that “Our greatest human freedom is that, despite whatever our physical situation is in life, we are always free to choose our thoughts!”  

In Frankl’s book, Man's Search for Meaning he explains that “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances.”    

Finding Purpose:

• creating something creates purpose
• find friends that are supportive
• pain can be a motivator as well, how to cope with it and how to find ways to move beyond it
• from the time we were little, we have heard “life is not fair” and it isn’t. No need to keep score, play the hand you are dealt and look for the nuggets that sustain you.
• Know that you are free to find meaning in your life; there are no rules.
• Turn your empathy toward others, get out of your head if you are feeling stuck in a rut.

Haresh Sippy, Chief Founder & Managing Director of Tema India Ltd advises us to “Plan on the go. Go with the flow.”