When Viktor Frankl and hundreds of others were taken to a concentration camp, the Nazis had a clear plan for them – inhuman pain and perhaps painful death. Viktor Frankl, however, had different plans. He had his own agenda – understand human behavior by observing the behavior of his fellow prisoners.
There were hundreds of Nazi soldiers bent on making sure their plans were executed but Viktor Frankl’s clarity of thought and strength of will saw his through. As we know, it not only “just” saw him through but it lead his immense contribution to the world of psychology and the science behind happiness.
We are often pulled into events that weren’t part of our plans. Sometimes, like Frankl, we don’t have full control of these things. But, like Frankl, we do have a have a choice to make sure we think about and stay true to our agenda. Most experiences are what we make of it. It is perhaps no coincidence that we talk about “making” a difference.
Of course, it starts by making your own agenda.
A Learning a Day 