“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” Viktor E. Frankl — Man’s search for meaning.
Viktor E. Frankl was one of the few survivors of the Nazi concentration camps. Viktor E. Frankl was a successful Psychiatrist before being taken captive by the Germans in World War II. He lost everything and was subjected to the most horrible things imaginable.
Frankl wrote a powerful book called “Man’s Search for meaning.” The basic idea in the book is to find meaning and remain hopeful in every circumstance. The people who survived the camps dreamed and expected to live a good life when they left prison.
Whatever life throws at us we have a choice in how we respond. If someone cuts us in traffic we can choose to smile and give them space. If we lose money in a business deal we can choose to learn from it and try again. If we don’t feel motivated we can choose to do something else which energizes us. If someone makes a rude comment on social media we can choose to respond with love.
If we find ourselves broke we can choose to focus on a future in which we are wealthy beyond measure. We can find meaning in our suffering. If the news is only doom and gloom we can choose to see the good in our society.
Our mood is often a result of the way we look at things. Your spouse doesn’t text you and you start imagining they no longer love you. You miss a promotion at work and you tell yourself a story that they are about to fire you. You find yourself in debt and you create a story that you are doomed to stay poor for life.
Often times simply changing the meaning we attach to things and circumstances reduces their grip on us. So if you want to get out of a bad mood simply change the way you look at things and take control of your mind and the way you respond.
Unlock your true potential 