Suffering as part of Meaning

Hello everyone,

I just read an interesting book: Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning“. Besides being a very deeply moving book about the experiences of a man in the concentration camp of Auschwitz, it is a book that gives food for thought. I have many times thought what is the meaning of my life, first as a teenager, later as a young adult and ongoing. I am sure, we all come to the point where we sit back, look at our life and question if we are on the right path. Maybe there are a few blessed people who get it right the first time, maybe not. Dawn of Day

I am working with a business coach, like my clients hire me to be their personal trainer and fitness coach. I have been working with him for about two years and one of the first questions he asked me is not so much what I want my business to look like but rather who I was.

This question definitely caught me off guard and I was not able to answer him right away. Months later with a lot of work and taking some time to think, I was able to answer him.

Again and again though, when the going got tough because of finances, personal or business issues I questioned myself.

Now back to Frankl’s book. Frankl states that you can have meaning without suffering but that suffering itself has meaning  and that we sometimes look at life the wrong way: It is not up to us to ask what the meaning of life is but it is life that asks us what kind of meaning we put into it.

It is life that asks us what kind of meaning we put into life

Every day is a challenge and if only the good days contain meaning then life itself is meaningless. I was like, wow, let me read this again because I don’t quite get it (I can be slow sometimes).

Finally I think I got it. For me it means the following: Lasting happiness and joy ensue meaning. Meaning always comes first. Each situation in life, no matter how good or bad represents and opportunity for me to live up to it. It is a challenge to my values, my integrity and my responsibility. It does not matter so much if I succeed. Rather it is more about: am I meeting that opportunity, that situation with raised head and look it into the eye as best as I can. Each day and minute is a reset, a new opportunity, a new start.

How does that pertain to fitness?

Quite easily, actually: Fitness does not come easy to many of us. There is suffering involved. Training is hard, eating healthy not easy. We will fail at times but it is upon us to get back up and do it again, because in the end your health is just another aspect of your life, another opportunity to put meaning into life and suffering. Each and everyone’s meaning is different. Some might be overweight, fight cancer, try to gain weight, quit smoking, struggle with eating disorders. Find your own meaning in it. Help others who struggle, be a beacon of hope for those who have not found their way. Show them your struggles and your successes.

Next time when you struggle to go to the gym acknowledge your pain, be kind to yourself and then lift your head and meet life head on.

Have an awesome weekend,

 

Michael

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