Will to Meaning
October 27, 2008 | Items of Interest
I am working on a Play/Musical to showcase my songwriting based on explanations of Viktor Frankl’s ‘Will to Meaning’ principles as opposed to the Freudian/Adlerian ‘Will to Pleasure’ and ‘Will to Power’. I have this basic illustration that shows how the ‘Pursuit’ of Happiness is impossible because happiness is a by product which ‘ENSUES” once a living soul incorporates meaning to his/her life. I thought I would post it here for archiving…
7 Responses to “Will to Meaning”
I went over it twice, Bud, and you lost me. It’s no use. I’m supposed to be functioning in my brain a lot better in my old age now….progressing instead of retrogressing. It scares me. I spent all of those years waiting on tables, when I should have had my nose in a book, studying for a degree in something. Faye Walker did just that. She raised twelve children. Got her GED, graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in I have forgotten what and was a Bishop’s wife for years and years, plus she has taught the Gospel Doctrine class for years, AND Seminary. Maybe we’re not supposed to compare. But I do compare. My little friend of long ago (she was 19 when I met her) is now a 60-year old woman (will be 60 in February) and she is highly accomplished. She is the mirror of the woman of which King Lemuel speaks in Proverbs, “Who can find a virtuous woman?”
By mother on Oct 28, 2008
Just start from the ‘Living Soul’ Icon and follow the ‘Choices’ arrows either way through ‘Derived Meaning’ or ‘Meaninglessness’ and you’ll see the ensuing by product of our agency. Frankl understood that “Life does not offer you meaning, it offers you choices, it asks the questions… our response becomes the meaning in our lives and happiness or despair ensues as a by product of our choices (our response or responsibility). Its just a more current explanation of the Plan of Free Agency based on what we have learned (or have been misled through) the experimentation of Freud and other psychoanalysts. They believed it was our Humanness that commanded our actions through no control. We either wanted Pleasure or Power.
Those of us that have the Holy Spirit whispering to us understand that it is ‘Purpose & Meaning’ that really motivates us and we know that we can’t explain it in words. Frankl opens the door to the modern mind and simplifies the process. He contends that:
“No one will be able to make us believe that a human being is a sublimated (elevated or higher) animal once we can show that within each of us is a repressed angel.”
By the way Mom. After 5 1/2 years of being divorced, I have begun dating again. If you are up here for Thanksgiving, I’d love for you to meet her.
By Bud on Oct 30, 2008
yeah! Buddy!! I broke up with someone recently so it was about time for you to start dating! Now, if I can only get things wrapped up here and move on down to Galveston permantently..hmmm. oh by the way..I have Bailey not this Saturday but the next. I am not sure of the Gibbons phone number though. It may be the last time I will see Bailey for a few months. E-mail me the Gibbons number! I called them last month but they didn’t call back.
By lainie on Oct 30, 2008
I can only say Buddy, I hope she isn’t young. That is one of my biggest pet peeves. I see guys my age do that all the time. They fall for a younger girl, she uses them and then they get married and she gets everything in the divorce. Happens all the time. I have dated younger guys in my life but I definately don’t take it seriously.
By lainie on Oct 31, 2008
Thanks for the explanation, Buddy.
I’m happy to hear that you’re dating again, and it sounds like she’s just one person that you have zeroed in on. We won’t go up for Thanksgiving. I’m not well, and at this time, I’m just not up to making a long trip. I don’t think Luis is up to it, either. But when we’re all straightened out, you can bring her down here to meet us.
We would love that!!
Also, we’re going to be in one big mess, until we get this “move” over with, as the Vieras move out of our house, and so much needs to be done to it, now. Painting, for a starter.
By mother on Nov 1, 2008
She is young… 3 months younger than me. I hope she doesn’t use me too much before I have to use a walker.
By Bud on Nov 3, 2008
lol. I was kinda joking about her being young and taking all of your money lol. Considering you don’t have any. I am suppose to get Bailey saturday. I need to get everything wrapped up here this week and get everything packed and into storage. I am going to work down in Galveston for the next year because I can get full time hours at the home depot there and they are desperate. The manager of Galveston e-mailed my manager here the other day asking how quick can I get back. If I stay here they can only give me 15 hours a week until march and I can’t live off that. Breaking my lease early I still have to pay December and Jamuary rent as well but I will more then make that back in six weeks. I found a girl my age with an apartment in Texas City (13 miles from the store). She needs a roommate and is only charging me $375 a month including utilities. That is much more affordable for me.
By lainie on Nov 3, 2008