“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
When I think of the power of making
choices, I recall the story of Viktor Frankl – holocaust survivor and author
of "Man's Search for Meaning" and how when held captive in a Nazi prison camp, he exercised his choice of not
giving up, of creating his inner world to survive.
Viktor knew he had no control over what was happening to him and what was going to happen to him. He made a choice as to how he responded. In his mind and with his heart, he connected to the life he loved and the love of his life. He used his inner creativity, intuition, spirit to keep the flame of humanity and hope alive.
He was generous with what little he had
and shared it. He gave and inspired others with love, compassion
and hope. He did not ingest the hate, anger, hopelessness of what
was happening. These are all choices!
My take aways from his story:
- Even in incredible situations there will always be a choice of how we respond and how we experience ourselves.
- We are all so capable of incredible lives when we make the choice to live it, no matter what.
- Creativity, intuition and spirit are truly empowering, and only when we tap into this inner knowing, inner space, inner humanity will we access so many possibilities.
What do you remember about the story, and
how does it inspire your own power of choice in your life?
Be empowered!
Liz
