"Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only a lack of meaning and purpose."
Viktor Frankl made this statement over forty years ago and it is still relevant today. Frankl was an Austrian Psychiatrist who developed his therapeutic orientation while surviving in concentration camps such as the infamous Auschwitz. Even in the most retched and frightening of conditions he wrote about the importance of having a purpose, for without purpose there is no hope. Frankl witnessed the best and worst of humanity and used his time as a prisoner to hone his existential psychological theories.
Hope is what keeps us alive and purpose is the fuel hope needs to move forward.
Think back to a time in your life when you had something you wanted to accomplish or somewhere you had to be, what was your energy like? Compare that to a time when there was nothing pressing or structured to accomplish, what was your energy like? Knowing why you are getting up the next day is what puts gas in our tank.
If you are feeling underwhelmed by life, listless or think you have a little depression, take a moment to notice if you have purpose.
Therapy can help you identify and carve out purpose in your life and encourage the flow of new vital energy.
