In Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl reminds readers to intentionally choose an attitude of gratitude.
Logotherapy, a field Frankl created amidst extreme trials and tribulations inside concentration camps of World War II, asks individuals to consider: “What are you most grateful for? Why are you striving to survive? Who are you staying alive for?” Worthwhile questions call forth worthwhile quests. Frankl deeply believed:
~ Intentional lives come from intentional reasons.
~ Full meaning comes from meaningful pursuits.
~ Peak performances come from peak purposes.
Inquiries found in logotherapy provide motives to break through barriers, overcome obstacles, and destroy negative thoughts tied to nihilism. We, as human beings, are capable of withstanding tremendous amounts of pain so long as we constantly and consistently remind ourselves what, who, and why we must survive another day, another hour, another moment.
Who we ultimately become and What we ultimately do rely heavily on our ultimate Why.
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They keep us engaged. They keep us asking questions. They keep us alert, learning, and hopefully growing. Acknowledgement and acceptance of problems reduce blurry decision-making caused by too much emotionality and increase clarity through tactical focus.
Grateful hearts free our minds to choose wisely.
Wise choices lead to kind actions.
Kind actions generate greater senses of gratitude… within us and throughout the communities we live in.
Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult… once we truly understand and accept it, then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.
— M. Scott Peck, author of The Road Less Traveled
Transcendence means to transcend the trance of everyday boredom, fear and frustrations. To escape familiar meditations of automatic annoyances through intentional gratefulness is to feel the day, to embrace opportunities, and to engage in activities with vitality. Protective, limiting excuses give way to empowering, courageous adventures via thankfulness. An attitude of gratitude make our days feel vibrant via enhanced energy, gusto and gumption.
Replace assumptions with radical, belief-filled action to abolish negative thoughts.
Insert affirmations instead of aggravations because self-talk mitigates rumination.
Answer this question every morning: “What and who am I most grateful for?”
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Beneficial habits executed consistently become hallmarks for excellence. Similar to brushing one’s teeth for exceptional mouth hygiene and to showering one’s body for healthy skincare, daily disciplines lead to optimal results. For true transcendence: it’s not about what we think every so often; it’s about what we do every day.
In addition to what and who we are most grateful for, let us inquire, “What would make today great?” Finally, let us meditate for three minutes, to see what God wants to put on our hearts…
The combination of all three considerations is a priming technique I do daily: 3-3-3.
What are three things I am grateful for?
What are three things that would make today great?
What (in the next three minutes) is the Lord calling me to do on this day?
Once it’s put on my heart, transform thought into action as quickly as possible. The best cure for anxiety, amazement, or apprehension is action. Motivation is an ephemeral fuel source — it must be used immediately or it fades away!
Priming: one sequence of actions that affects the next, subsequent actions; it’s what we do before we do something else… to put ourselves in an optimal mentality for success. For example, we put away technology and turn the lights off to give ourselves the best chance at a great night of sleep.
Mentality: state of mind.
By consistently completing the priming method of 3-3-3, we start [and perhaps end] our days in an optimal mentality for success, smiles, and satisfaction.
Is it always easy to focus on what we have rather than what we lack? No.
Does it become easier to do so when we prime our minds every day? Yes.
Accomplishing actions every single day remains easier than attempting to do a task every so often.
I prime with 3-3-3 every morning. I exercise every day. I study theology, philosophy, or psychology every night. This does not make me better than anyone else; these actions help me consistently approach life with an appropriate, uplifting mentality most of the time.
We do not have ideas; ideas have us.
We are are what we do, not what we say we will do. — Jung
Become who you are. — Nietzche
Call to Action: Consider priming practices you do subconsciously and unconsciously every day. Are they helping or hurting? Are they bringing you closer or farther from your goals? Are they life-giving or energy-draining? When you are open to it, write down a list of several habits you complete every day; then, write down a list of a few daily disciplines that you could, should, and would do to optimize your personal health, work, and relationships. The first list includes your current habits; the second list includes your ideal habits. Circle the one habit that will have the greatest positive impact on your life (maybe it’s 3-3-3 every morning to start each day with an optimistic mentality!). Finally and most importantly, take action.
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Most people know what to do.
Few people do what they know.
Attitudes of gratitude lead to actions for higher altitudes!
Gratefully,
- MG