November 20, 2022 | Issue #43

1 Quote. 1 Reflection. 1 Question.

1 Quote.

“In some ways suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning, such as the meaning of a sacrifice.”

-From: Viktor Frankl

-Source: Man's Search for Meaning 

1 Reflection.

Viktor Frankl was an Austrian psychiatrist and concentration camp survivor. His book, Man's Search for Meaning has sold more than 10 million copies in 24 languages. 

The popularity of the book shows how impactful Frankl's experience and words are. But, it also reveals people are hungry to find the meaning of life. 

 Today, I finished the book for a second time and still believe the meaning of life is suffering, sacrifice, and service. However, let's see what one of the best comedians in the world has to say about it. 

Jimmy Fallon, American Comedian, and host of the Tonight Show was asked by Tim Ferriss, what book he gives out most often as a gift, he said:

“If I gave one to an adult, it would be Man's Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl. I read it while spending ten days in the ICU of Bellevue hospital trying to re-attach my finger from a ring avulsion accident in my kitchen. It talks about the meaning of life, and I believe you come out a better person from reading it. The lines I took from it are: ‘There is no exact answer to the question ‘what is the meaning of life.’ It’s like asking a chess master ‘what is the best move in the world?’ It all depends on what situation you are in.’ It also reinforced the belief, that which does not kill me makes me stronger. If you read it, you’ll get more from it.”

Whether you are a college student, an entry-level consultant, a retired pipefitter, or a world-famous comedian, the meaning of life is the same—sacrifice, suffering, and service.

So what does that mean? Well, it means that the meaning of life is internally found, not externally. 

It means that regardless of what phase of life we are in, meaning can be found. For this, we should be happy and savor every sacrifice, suffering, and service.

1 Question.

Do you have someone in your life that you sacrifice for?