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Lonely in a Crowd?

April 26, 2025 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Loneliness in a Crowd Means Disconnection: Seek Deeper, Meaningful Relationships Ever feel lonely even when you’re around others? Loneliness isn’t about being alone; it’s about disconnection. It’s the lack of someone who gets you—who sees past the surface and understands your inner world.

If you’re surrounded yet still feel isolated, take it as a sign: it’s time to seek deeper connections. Reconnect with old friends. Build meaningful relationships. Be vulnerable. Join groups that spark your passions. And don’t hesitate—when an opportunity to connect arises, take it. You never know where a simple “hello” might lead.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. A Journey Through Therapy: Summary of Lori Gottlieb’s ‘Maybe You Should Talk to Someone’
  2. Blame Your Parents for Your Current Problems?
  3. Expressive Writing Can Help You Heal
  4. Get Rid of Relationship Clutter
  5. Thoughts Can Be a Jail

Filed Under: Health and Well-being, Living the Good Life, Managing People Tagged With: Conversations, Emotions, Introspection, Mindfulness, Relationships, Social Life, Social Skills, Therapy

10 Things That Are Holding You Back

April 14, 2025 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Conquer the Mental and Habitual Barriers Keeping You Stuck The biggest obstacles in your way aren’t out there; they’re in your head—and in your habits. Drop them, or they’ll drag you.

  1. The Need to Be Right. Your ego is holding you back. Let go of the need to prove yourself and embrace learning from others.
  2. Control. Trying to control everything keeps you stuck. Surrender and trust the process.
  3. Blame—it’s a trap. Own your choices, and free yourself to move forward.
  4. Self-Doubt. Negative self-talk limits your potential. Silence doubt and empower yourself to grow.
  5. Impressing Others. Seeking approval is draining. Live authentically, not for others’ validation.
  6. Excuses. They block progress. Take responsibility and make things happen.
  7. Living for Others’ Expectations. You’re not living someone else’s life. Pursue your dreams, not theirs.
  8. Perfection. Chasing perfection slows you down. Embrace progress, not flawless outcomes.
  9. The Past. The past is history. Focus on the present and shape your future.
  10. Fear of Failure. Fear keeps you stuck. See failure as growth and move forward with confidence.

Wondering what to read next?

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  2. What Are You So Afraid Of? // Summary of Susan Jeffers’s ‘Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway’
  3. Resilience Through Rejection
  4. Being Situational
  5. The Simple Life, The Good Life // Book Summary of Greg McKeown’s ‘Essentialism’

Filed Under: Mental Models, Sharpening Your Skills Tagged With: Balance, Decision-Making, Discipline, Fear, Introspection, Mindfulness, Personal Growth, Psychology, Success, Therapy

A Journey Through Therapy: Summary of Lori Gottlieb’s ‘Maybe You Should Talk to Someone’

February 13, 2025 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Talking to a Therapist Can Help Build Trust, Promote Self-awareness and Acceptance

American psychotherapist Lori Gottlieb’s memoir/self-help book Maybe You Should Talk to Someone (2019) offers an engaging exploration of therapy from both sides of the couch.

Gottlieb’s narrative intertwines the stories of her patients with her own journey as a therapist-turned-patient, delivering a candid and relatable account of human vulnerability and resilience. This unique perspective highlights the shared struggles that unite us all and reveals the transformative power of therapy—not through methods or techniques, but through the profound act of truly being heard. In that simple connection, we uncover and heal parts of ourselves we’ve long ignored.

A Therapist’s Turn to Heal … And Learn

The book begins with Gottlieb facing a personal crisis following a painful breakup. Feeling lost and uncertain, she seeks therapy herself, breaking the misconception that therapists don’t have their own problems. Her choice to become a patient underscores an important truth: seeking help is not a sign of weakness but an act of courage. Experiencing therapy from the other side helps therapists cultivate deeper empathy and a better understanding of their clients’ struggles, enriching their ability to guide others.

Gottlieb’s narrative revolves around five core stories: her own and those of four diverse patients. Each patient—a self-absorbed Hollywood producer, a newlywed in her thirties with a terminal illness, a senior citizen planning to end her life on her birthday, and a young woman grappling with alcoholism and destructive relationships—brings unique challenges and insights. Their journeys reveal the complexities of human emotions and the universal longing for connection, love, and understanding.

In Our Own Eyes, We’re Never the Foe

'Maybe You Should Talk To Someone' by Lori Gottlieb (ISBN 1328662055) One of the book’s central insights is the concept of “unreliable narrators.” Gottlieb reminds us that people’s self-perceptions often obscure deeper truths. No one’s the villain in their own story. Our narratives are selective storytelling rather than the full, messy truth—shaped by bias and perspective, which significantly influence how we interpret and respond to life’s events. Therapy, Gottlieb argues, helps us identify and challenge unhelpful narratives. By bringing these stories to light, we can start to question their validity and reframe them to create a healthier, more honest version of ourselves.

Gottlieb’s approach to therapy is both practical and creative. She likens it to merging two snapshots—the current reality and the envisioned ideal—into a new, authentic picture. This metaphor underscores the collaborative and dynamic nature of therapy. Alongside her patients, she confronts issues like heartbreak, self-sabotage, and denial, demonstrating that the only way to heal is to face pain directly. “The only way out is through,” she writes, emphasizing the value of perseverance and self-reflection.

In today’s hyper-connected yet often isolating digital age, the book’s focus on connection feels especially relevant. Technology often fails to provide the depth and authenticity required for emotional fulfillment, leaving many craving meaningful human interaction—a fundamental human need often unmet by the fleeting interactions of social media. Therapy, Gottlieb shows, becomes a vital outlet—a space for genuine dialogue, empathy, and healing. Her poignant reminder, “You won’t get today back,” encourages readers to embrace the present and seek fulfillment without delay.

The Stories We Tell Ourselves

Gottlieb’s writing is engaging, infused with humor and vulnerability that make complex topics accessible. She dismantles the stigma surrounding therapy, portraying it not as a last resort but as a proactive step toward growth and self-awareness. There is a brief mention of the risks of over-reliance on therapy, which can hinder the development of self-reliance and internal coping mechanisms. Her candid reflections on her own therapy experience inspire readers to view vulnerability as a strength and a necessary part of the human experience.

Themes of self-compassion and forgiveness are woven throughout the narrative. Gottlieb’s patients learn to confront their fears and embrace their imperfections, mirroring her own journey toward acceptance. These lessons highlight the transformative power of self-awareness, which deepens connections with others and fosters personal growth.

In an Age of Solitude, Connection Calls

A recurring takeaway is that struggles are universal, regardless of outward appearances. Gottlieb’s diverse patients share a common humanity, emphasizing that vulnerability and the need for connection are fundamental to everyone. This understanding breaks down barriers and fosters empathy, reminding readers that they are never truly alone in their challenges.

Recommendation: Read Maybe You Should Talk to Someone—a well-structured memoir that offers profound insights into the human condition. Gottlieb’s dual perspective as both therapist and patient creates a compelling narrative that invites readers to explore their own emotional landscapes.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Expressive Writing Can Help You Heal
  2. The Argument Against Long-Term Psychotherapy
  3. The Power of Negative Thinking
  4. Blame Your Parents for Your Current Problems?
  5. The Healing Power of Third-Person Reflection

Filed Under: Health and Well-being, Living the Good Life Tagged With: Conversations, Emotions, Introspection, Mindfulness, Resilience, Suffering, Therapy

The Argument Against Long-Term Psychotherapy

January 6, 2025 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

The Argument Against Long-Term Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, especially short-term therapy, can be a game changer for many, but long-term therapy, despite its popularity, has its downsides.

Often, long-term therapy focuses too much on past experiences, keeping the spotlight on personal struggles and breeding a bit of narcissism. If you find yourself in prolonged therapy, you might become overly absorbed in your issues, leading to self-pity that undermines your relationships and personal growth.

Caught in a Cycle of Over-Analysis

Unfortunately, many therapists still cling to outdated methods that dig into your past to extract insights they believe are crucial for progress. But let’s be real: insight alone isn’t enough for lasting change. Research shows that concentrating on concrete changes in thoughts and behaviors in the “here and now” is far more effective than fixating on the “there and then.”

Long-term therapy can also create unhealthy dependency, leaving you unprepared for real-world challenges. This dependency might be inadvertently encouraged by therapists who benefit financially from endlessly revisiting past traumas, leading to a conflict of interest between providing timely solutions and keeping you around longer than necessary.

Another downside is that long-term therapy can sometimes excuse—maybe even justify—inaction. You might catch yourself procrastinating on important decisions or avoiding risks, with therapy unintentionally reinforcing that tendency. If fear keeps you from making essential life changes, your therapist may offer soothing explanations that trap you in a cycle of over-analysis, making it harder to take the bull by the horns. Plus, many therapists shy away from giving direct advice that could actually spur you into action.

Living in the Past is Holding You Back

Countless people spend years in therapy without seeing meaningful changes. They often lack the self-awareness and drive to act, which is where a straightforward tough-love lecture can make a real difference. A concerned, no-nonsense confidant might say, “You’re being a loser—a lazy excuse-maker. You blame everyone but yourself for your failures.” Many who have wrestled with long-standing issues find this tough-love approach resonates, leading to modest improvements. While tough love may work in many contexts, many psychotherapists prefer a more compassionate, nuanced approach that focuses on your emotional health and personal journey.

In the end, therapy often provides insights without significant change. Before diving into long-term therapy, ask yourself if it truly meets your needs. If you’re already in lengthy therapy, reflect on whether it has genuinely improved your life or just fostered narcissism and dependency.

Idea for Impact: To change your life, take action now instead of getting stuck in the past. Doing so empowers you to build momentum through small, consistent steps while applying the lessons from your past blunders. This present-focused approach reduces anxiety, boosts resilience, and opens your eyes to new opportunities. Plus, it keeps you mindful and improves your overall well-being, sparing you from future regrets. Consider a tough-love lecture or the guidance of a no-nonsense advisor to push you out of your comfort zone. These strategies can create urgency and commitment, paving the way for real change in your behavior and mindset.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Expressive Writing Can Help You Heal
  2. How to … Talk About Your Mental Health with Loved Ones
  3. A Journey Through Therapy: Summary of Lori Gottlieb’s ‘Maybe You Should Talk to Someone’
  4. The Power of Negative Thinking
  5. The Healing Power of Third-Person Reflection

Filed Under: Health and Well-being, Living the Good Life Tagged With: Adversity, Conversations, Counseling, Emotions, Mindfulness, Resilience, Suffering, Therapy

Blame Your Parents for Your Current Problems?

September 16, 2024 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Blame Your Parents for Your Current Problems? Unfortunately, many therapists still cling to those outdated methods of analytic or psychodynamic therapy that date back to Freud and his disciples. Freud’s grand theory was that parent-child relationships shape adult behavior, suggesting that unresolved childhood issues, particularly involving parents, could resurface and cause problems later in life. Subsequent psychodynamic theorists expanded on Freud’s ideas, emphasizing that early childhood experiences and family dynamics significantly influence who we become. Alfred Adler, for instance, introduced the concept of “family constellation,” arguing that birth order and family dynamics play a crucial role in psychological development.

So, if you’re seeing a therapist who’s all about this old-school approach, prepare for some serious “psycho-archeological” digs into your past or “unconscious,” with the hope of uncovering insights deemed essential for progress. Digging through every dusty old trauma can be quite lucrative—for therapists!

However, persistently blaming your parents isn’t beneficial. It keeps you anchored in the past, hindering your ability to take control of your life and make meaningful changes. Moreover, assigning blame won’t rectify past events—your parents aren’t in a position to reverse what has already happened. This constant blame can also strain your relationship with them; after all, they are human too.

Most importantly, blaming your parents for your current problems takes away your power. When you blame others, you surrender control of your emotional well-being, ensuring you stay stuck in that same old rut.

Instead of letting your parents’ influence hog the spotlight, recognize that while they may have played a role, you’re now in the driver’s seat when it comes to your reactions.

Seek more constructive ways to address your issues and frustrations. Therapy can offer insights into your past, but those revelations aren’t always the magic ticket to lasting change.

Regardless of your therapist’s preferred theory about the origins of your psychological distress, sticking with scientifically proven methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) tends to yield faster results, often without the need for medication. To make real changes in your life, focus on what you can do now rather than getting lost in the maze of your past.

Idea for Impact: Don’t let your past hog the limelight in your present. Instead, turn the spotlight on yourself and ask, “What can I do differently to move forward?”

Wondering what to read next?

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  2. How Can You Contribute?
  3. Seven Ways to Let Go of Regret
  4. Five Ways … You Could Be More Optimistic
  5. Shun the Shadows of Self-Tyranny

Filed Under: Living the Good Life, Mental Models Tagged With: Adversity, Attitudes, Emotions, Introspection, Mindfulness, Relationships, Resilience, Suffering, Therapy

How to … Talk About Your Mental Health with Loved Ones

June 29, 2024 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

A Guide to Talking to Friends and Family About Mental Health Many of us find it difficult to share our mental health struggles, fearing we might burden our loved ones or face judgment. However, those folks care about us and want to lend a hand; they just might not know how unless we speak up.

Starting a conversation with friends or family can be as simple as saying, “I’ve been feeling a bit off lately. Can I talk to you about it?” or “We don’t usually chat much, but I’m going through a tough time. Can I reach out to you?”

Be honest and open about your feelings, as it helps others understand what you’re going through. Let them know straight up what you’re after—whether it’s a listening ear, a chance to blow off steam and take your mind off things, some emotional backup, or hands-on help.

Don’t expect too much from the first conversation; give them time to process and be prepared to revisit the topic later.

Idea for Impact: Break the silence. Don’t underestimate how much our loved ones can help. Ask for support when you need it.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Expressive Writing Can Help You Heal
  2. The Power of Negative Thinking
  3. Cope with Anxiety and Stop Obsessive Worrying by Creating a Worry Box
  4. The Argument Against Long-Term Psychotherapy
  5. How Thought-Stopping Can Help You Overcome Negative Thinking and Get Unstuck

Filed Under: Effective Communication, Health and Well-being, Living the Good Life Tagged With: Adversity, Anxiety, Conversations, Emotions, Mindfulness, Suffering, Therapy, Worry

The Healing Power of Third-Person Reflection

June 27, 2024 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Harnessing the Healing Power of Third-Person Reflection Discussing adversity, trauma, or setbacks may not always alleviate the negative effects as commonly assumed. In fact, instead of offering a sense of emotional release and catharsis, it can sometimes exacerbate them. This is because rehashing a distressing event in conversation with a loved one or a therapist can drag you back into reliving it, rather than facilitating your ability to detach from it.

What can be beneficial in such situations is adopting a fly-on-the-wall perspective and either writing or narrating an account of the unpleasant experience using the third person when referring to yourself. This approach can create distance between you and the painful event, facilitating more thoughtful reflection and providing a better understanding of what happened.

Idea for Impact: By processing a negative experience in a way that fosters distance between the then (when the event happened) and the now (when you’re recalling it,) you’ll gain control over it, rather than allowing it to control you.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Expressive Writing Can Help You Heal
  2. The Power of Negative Thinking
  3. Get Everything Out of Your Head
  4. Cope with Anxiety and Stop Obsessive Worrying by Creating a Worry Box
  5. How to … Talk About Your Mental Health with Loved Ones

Filed Under: Effective Communication, Living the Good Life Tagged With: Adversity, Anxiety, Conversations, Introspection, Mindfulness, Resilience, Suffering, Therapy

“Are We Fixing, Whinging, or Distracting?”

July 24, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

When a friend is upset and seeks your support, it’s essential to ask them a simple question once it’s appropriate: “Do you want to talk about it? Do you want to get your mind off it and distract yourself, or are you expecting me to give you some suggestions to help you out?”

Asking, “Are we fixing, whinging, or distracting?” can be incredibly beneficial for an upset friend. I use it often, and people respond positively to it. This question establishes boundaries and fosters trust, allowing you to be there for them the way they need.

Sometimes, people simply need to vent. Begin by providing comfort and then follow up with, “Do you want advice, or do you want me just to listen?”

It’s crucial to validate the other person’s feelings and experiences. Even if you believe there’s an easy fix, prioritize acknowledging their emotions. Let them be heard and empathize with them. Validating their emotions is truly significant. Simple statements like “Yeah, that IS terrible,” “That does suck,” “I can definitely see why you’re angry,” or “You have a right to be frustrated” can work wonders in offering solace and emotional support during challenging moments.

At times, staying quiet is what’s needed. It saves you from saying something unsuited to the situation. You can also say, “I am at a loss for words,” which is still validating. It shows that you consider the issue as crucial as they do and are also genuinely stumped by it.

However, on other occasions, they may need to share their experiences with someone outside of the conflict. This allows them to express their thoughts and emotions, which can be cathartic and aid in processing their experiences. If they wish to shift their focus and be distracted from what’s bothering them, talk about your own day, share something funny you came across, or engage in a fun activity together.

Idea for Impact: Don’t assume they’re seeking a solution when someone vents. Avoid offering advice right away in an attempt to steer them away from discussing it.

People often want to vent, grumble, and unload their troubles, even momentarily. Listen patiently and without reproach, offering a compassionate ear.

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  3. How to … Address Over-Apologizing
  4. Silence Speaks Louder in Conversations
  5. Listen to Understand, Not to Respond

Filed Under: Effective Communication, Sharpening Your Skills Tagged With: Conversations, Etiquette, Getting Along, Likeability, Listening, Social Life, Social Skills, Therapy

Expressive Writing Can Help You Heal

November 8, 2017 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Give sorrow words;
the grief that does not speak;
whispers the o’er-fraught heart
and bids it break.
—William Shakespeare, Macbeth (Act 4, Scene 3)

Confronting Upsetting Experiences: Expressive Writing for Healing

People often block out thoughts that provoke negative emotions as a way of reducing their stress and regulating their moods. However, intentional suppression of deep-seated emotions not only increases susceptibility to illness, but also amplifies the emotionality and associated psychological effects of the suppressed thoughts.

Discussing, venting, clarifying, or expressing a trauma is a natural human response. When this necessity is inhibited, emotional stress and physical illness ensue.

Facing up to deeply personal issues can promote physical health, well-being, and beneficial behaviors.

The scientific research on the benefits of putting negative experiences into words is extensive. Studies have shown that expressive writing about oneself and one’s traumatic or stressful experiences does produce significant health benefits. Expressive writing helps ameliorate mood disorders, reduces symptoms among patients with serious illness, improve a person’s physical condition after a heart attack, and even enhance memory.

Writing about Emotional Topics Brings About Improved Physical and Emotional Wellbeing

'Opening Up' by James Pennebaker (ISBN 1572302380) James Pennebaker, a psychology professor at the University of Texas at Austin, first investigated expressive writing as a healing process in the 1980s. Since then, research that spawned from Pennebaker’s pioneering studies, has revealed benefits could accrue to those who were dealing with divorces, lost love, death of loved ones, job rejections, terminal illness, even college students struggling with first-year transitions.

Here are the main points about the expressive writing method:

  • Choose the part of the day when you are most contemplative (that’s the morning for most people.) Sit down at a place where you are not likely to be disturbed.
  • Reflect about a very personal and important event. Consider a significant emotional upheaval that influences your life the most or has in the past. Your topic can be about a distress or failure, lost love, health-, school- or career-related anxiety, relationships, inner conflicts, death of a loved one, or just about any topic that you would like to express.
  • If you’re writing about an experience or an event that involves another person, it can help to organize your writing as a letter to that person, whether alive or dead.
  • Write your deepest thoughts about your chosen event or experience continuously for 20 minutes. If you run out of things to write or reach a mental block, just repeat or recap what you have previously written.
  • In your writing, deeply explore your thoughts about the event and describe its effect on you. In other words, write both about what happened and how you feel about it. Think about how you can handle these events and their consequences now—what you can do specifically.
  • Connect your personal experiences to other parts of your life. How do they relate to your childhood, your parents, people you love, who you are, or who you want to be?
  • Write for yourself as your thoughts arise. Be as direct, intense, and serious as possible. Do not worry about grammar, spelling, comprehensiveness, legibility, or structure. On the opening day of writing, your stories are not very structured, but over the three or four days, you will develop a more structured narrative.
  • After writing for 20 minutes, do not look back over. Simply fold the papers you used, seal them, and put them away (read more about the “worry box technique.”) Unlike psychotherapy, the expressive writing technique does not employ feedback to the participant.
  • 'Writing as a Way of Healing' by Louise Desalvo (ISBN 0807072435) Make a mental note of how you feel. It is not unusual to feel sad or disheartened after writing—these feelings usually fade away in an hour or so. In research experiments, many participants have reported crying or getting upset by the experience of writing about emotional upheavals, but most participants testify that the writing experience was meaningful in helping them organize their experiences.
  • Repeat this exercise for four consecutive days. You can write about the same experience on all four days or about different experiences each day. If you choose to write about the same topic on all the four days, try to wrap everything up by the fourth day.

Note that expressive writing is distinct from keeping a daily journal in that it allows people to step back for a moment and evaluate their lives. Pennebaker once said, “I’m not even convinced that people should write about a horrible event for more than a couple of weeks. You risk getting into a sort of navel gazing or cycle of self-pity. … But standing back every now and then and evaluating where you are in life is really important.”

Translating an Emotional Experience Into Language Makes the Experience Graspable: it Can Help You Find New Meaning in Life’s Ordeals

New research has shown that expressive writing—followed by expressive rewriting—can improve happiness and lead to behavioral changes. Narrative storytelling of an unpleasant and chaotic experience may make the experience and its effects more controllable. For instance, according this New York Times article,

At the Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute, life coaches ask clients to identify their goals, then to write about why they haven’t achieved those goals. Once the clients have written their old stories, they are asked to reflect on them and edit the narratives to come up with a new, more honest assessment. While the institute doesn’t have long-term data, the intervention has produced strong anecdotal results.

Idea for Impact: Expressive Writing Can Help Change the Way You Feel About Traumatic Events and About Yourself

Expressive writing is a method of self-help that supplements the value of therapeutic talking to someone accepting and non-judgmental.

By exploring your deepest thoughts and feelings with a reflective, inquiring, honest attitude, you can shift perspective. Standing back and reflecting on your suffering from different points of view can bring about an improved emotional state. You can create your greatest opportunities for change by confronting the realities, reframing your experiences in terms of your values and priorities, and identifying impediments that stand in the way of purpose, joy, and contentment.

For more on the means and methods of expressive writing, as well its many confirmed physiological and behavioral benefits, read James Pennebaker’s Opening Up: the Healing Power of Expressing Emotion (1997) and Louise DeSalvo’s Writing as a Way of Healing (1999)

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Cope with Anxiety and Stop Obsessive Worrying by Creating a Worry Box
  2. The Power of Negative Thinking
  3. Get Everything Out of Your Head
  4. This May Be the Most Potent Cure for Melancholy
  5. The Healing Power of Third-Person Reflection

Filed Under: Living the Good Life, Sharpening Your Skills Tagged With: Adversity, Anxiety, Conversations, Emotions, Introspection, Mindfulness, Resilience, Stress, Suffering, Therapy, Wisdom, Worry

Viktor Frankl on The Meaning of Suffering

November 13, 2014 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

The Austrian existential psychiatrist Viktor Frankl suggested that, generally, the need for meaning is a crucial force in people, from the time we’re born until our last breath. He continued to feel this way when his family was murdered by the Nazis and he himself was sent to Auschwitz. Frankl frequently quoted Friedrich Nietzsche’s remark that “he who has a why to live for can bear with almost any how.”

In “Mans’ Search for Meaning”, Frankl describes suffering as a potential springboard both for having a need for meaning and for finding it:

We must never forget that we may also find meaning in life even when confronted with a hopeless situation, when facing a fate that cannot be changed. For what then matters is to bear witness to the uniquely human potential at its best, which is to transform a personal tragedy into a triumph, to turn one’s predicament into a human achievement. When we are no longer able to change a situation—just think of an incurable disease such as inoperable cancer—we are challenged to change ourselves.

'Man's Search For Meaning' by Viktor Frankl (ISBN 0671023373) Frankl also suggests that the one freedom allowed in us, irrespective of our circumstances, including his horrid subjugation at a Nazi concentration camp, is the freedom to pick our way of thinking in accepting our suffering. This might mean that meaning can be found in becoming a role model for others dealing with similar problems, or utilizing our suffering as a channel for changing for the better in particular aspects of our lives:

It is one of the basic tenets of logotherapy that man’s main concern is not to gain pleasure or to avoid pain but rather to see a meaning in his life. That is why man is even ready to suffer, on the condition, to be sure, that his suffering has a meaning.

Frankl’s story is worth the read: (1) as a reminder of the depths and heights of human nature, and the nature of hopes and despairs that rule our existence, (2) for the idea that life is primarily about the search for meaning and the kinds of choices we can make to establish significance in our lives (logotherapy technique.)

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  2. What Are You So Afraid Of? // Summary of Susan Jeffers’s ‘Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway’
  3. Book Summary of Erich Fromm’s ‘The Art of Loving’
  4. How to … Change Your Life When Nothing Seems to be Going Your Way
  5. How to … Overcome Your Limiting Beliefs

Filed Under: Sharpening Your Skills Tagged With: Attitudes, Books for Impact, Emotions, Therapy

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About: Nagesh Belludi [hire] is a St. Petersburg, Florida-based freethinker, investor, and leadership coach. He specializes in helping executives and companies ensure that the overall quality of their decision-making benefits isn’t compromised by a lack of a big-picture understanding.

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Unless otherwise stated in the individual document, the works above are © Nagesh Belludi under a Creative Commons BY-NC-ND license. You may quote, copy and share them freely, as long as you link back to RightAttitudes.com, don't make money with them, and don't modify the content. Enjoy!