On Gratefully Healthy, I will also create posts on various books I complete that I find are motivating and inspirational to continue with my theme of promoting a positive and grateful attitude. While not intended to be a thorough book review (plenty internet sites for that!), it is intended to maintain our focus on health and wellness. A healthy mind is just as critical as a physical healthy body, and I have quite the "To-Read" list that I am trying to complete. I just happen to finish two books back to back that have taught me a profound lesson of the above two attributes- positivism and gratitude. I recently completed in June Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, also author of Seabiscuit, which both of her books have been turned into big screen adaptations. See Hillenbrand's website. In July, I followed with reading a much older, but just as intriguing book Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl. See Frankl's Book on Amazon. Both of these men captivated readers with such endearing stories of survival in the most dire and miserable of situations. But regardless of these desperate situations, they stayed exceptionally positive! They both admit in their stories that positivism and gratitude for life were paramount in their survival and afterward successes, and both men lived well into their 90s! They realized that they had reason to live.....a meaning to their life that brought about remarkable perseverance.
I started out on the eastern front of WWII with Unbroken. Louis Zamperini, the Olympic runner in the 1939 Berlin Olympics, put running on hold to become a Army Air Corps bombardier. He becomes stranded in a life raft on the open Pacific ocean after his bomber plane The Green Hornet crashes into the shark-infested, briny waters that took so many air pilots at that time. He and two other crew mates are stranded with minimal supplies and no food or fresh water. Louis survives for over 40 days! What I found incredibly interesting is that Louie realizes in the early days on the raft the likely fate of he and his two other stranded crew mates; a fate he largely attributes it to their attitudes and perspective on the situation at hand. Louis and Phil, Lt.Russel Allen Philips whom was Louis's pilot, roommate, and best friend, remained optimistic and knew survival and life continued beyond the current dire situation. They visualized returning home to their families and kept that at the center of their thoughts. Louis dreaming about the alluring smells and tastes of his mother's savory Italian cooking and perhaps getting another chance at an Olympic medal, and Phil longed to be reunited with his bride-to-be. The third man, a tail gunner named Francis MacNamara or "Mac", remained utterly despondent. On their first night on the raft, he panics and eats the only food source that was on their raft (bits of chocolate)! But Louis and Phil do not harbor a spiteful grudge against Mac for this desperate act. Although angry at first, chastising Mac will do them no good, and instead they focus on what will be their next plan of action to obtain food. This act of pure panic as well as his pessimistic, hopeless attitude ultimately sealed his fate. Mac does not survive beyond the raft.
The story goes on that Louis and Phil are "rescued" from the raft; unfortunately, this was into the enemies' hand! They soon found themselves in even worse circumstances. They were taken as prisoners and placed in the Japaneses POW camps. Hunger, thirst, grueling work, mental and physical abuse, beatings, filth, pestilence, pure misery were all these two men knew for the next two years. But still both men persevered! They both kept their meaning, their purpose for living, their hopes in front of them. I was so moved by this book. I usually read at night, and after closing on another chapter or section I would lay down at night thinking, "Geez, what do I have to complain about!" How could the words "I'm starving" ever come out of my mouth again! I would thank the Lord for his gifts of health, sustenance, peace, comfort. I had clean sheets to get restful sleep in, food in my belly, and clean water to drink and for baths. I was free of disease, pestilence, sores, and injury. Even little things, like being able to brush my teeth had me feeling grateful!
Then I went on the read Man's Search for Meaning. Viktor Frankl was an extremely gifted psychiatrist. He and his entire family were sent to the Nazi concentration camps in WWII. So now I found myself delved into the misery of the European side of the war! Frankl experienced the brutal life of 4 different camps including the infamous Auschwitz. The first part of this book describes his experiences of camp life as well as his observances and interpretations of the prisoners psyche in their plight of misery. I am reading this utterly humbled. We all know the horrific history of the brutality and genocide at the Nazi concentration camps. At least most of it, what I appreciated about this book was Frankl's explanation of the prisoner's viewpoint. He intricately describes the progression of psychological phases that the camp prisoners' experience. Beginning with their fear and shock and on to their deepest despair when many finally succumbed to the harsh treatment of camp life and "gave up". Frankl, however, endures. He exemplifies not only optimism in the face of suffering, but rationalizes that it all has meaning! Everyone, rather in happiness or suffering, has a purpose for existing and for living.
The second part of his book describes the practice of theory known as logotherapy. Now let me just say, I have never really been interested in the study of psychology. However, his explanation of logotherapy and application of its theory was so compelling. Instead of focusing on the patient's past or present circumstances ( i.e. childhood physical or mental abuse) that may impact his current depression, feelings of hopelessness, or suicidal thoughts, he instead focuses on their futures! Logos is Greek for "meaning". He focuses his therapy on helping his patients find the meaning for their lives. The creative ways in which he is able to do this is so intriguing. I admit some of his psychological verbiage is quite complex for me, but he offers examples and scenarios to illustrate the practice of logotherapy. He writes about how "the primary drive in life is not pleasure, as Sigmond Freud maintained, but the discovery and pursuit of what we personally find meaningful."
Frankl describes "a tragic optimism" and that meaning is possible, even through suffering, provided it is unavoidable, "If suffering is avoidable, the meaningful thing to do would be to remove the cause, unnecessary suffering is masochistic rather than heroic". If you can't changes your situation, if you can't avoid the suffering, then you can still choose your attitude. He describes the life of Jerry Long, who was paralyzed from the neck down since a diving accident and rendered a quadriplegic (hit a little close to home). He was 17 when the accident occurred, but still attended community college and lead a productive life. He states, " I view my life as being abundant with meaning and purpose...I broke my neck, it didn't break me. I believe that my handicap will only enhance my ability to help others. I know that without the suffering, the growth that I have achieved would not have been possible". Wow, if we could all look at our circumstances and remain as grateful and endearing. I have struggled with "Oh, woe is me"-isms. And I chose to no longer do that. I thought my life is so hectic and busy, I can never find time to cook and exercise. How silly I feel now having thought that. I am blessed to have my two children to take care of, a house to maintain, and a job to go to. I learned to change my attitude and in the words of Nike "just do it".
So I entitle this post "the Unbroken Meaning", why? Okay so it may simply be a fusion play on words from the titles of the two books. I said I am grateful, that did not necessarily mean I am creative! But reading these two books truly emphasized to me that at the end of our life we all have an unbroken meaning for which makes life worth living. We have purpose to be grateful for whether it is in health, happiness, misery or suffering . In your journey to better health, keep that at the front of your mind. Keep it in perspective.
Gratefully,
Diana
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