“The one thing you can’t take away from me is the way I choose to respond to what you do to me. The last of one’s freedoms is to choose one’s attitude in any given circumstance.” – Viktor Frankl
Of all the freedoms that people fight for, I rarely, if ever hear talk of the most important freedom with which we are all inherently endowed: the freedom to choose one’s attitude in an given circumstance. Man’s redemption is ensured to the degree that he remains true to love.
When he strays from love, whether in reaction to an affront or retaliation for some injury, he abdicates his central responsibility and turns his back on the very core of his soul. When he remains true to love, he opens the channel in himself through which the power of love may flow.
Love is the sacred core of all that is, including oneself. A man or a woman is defined by what he or she holds sacred, particularly under pressure.
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Agh, so beautiful Gregg! Yesterday I had a conversation with a person where they were perplexed that I refused to maintain an attitude of “taking offense”. I sensed that they felt betrayed by my stance. How true your words, that it is as we remain true to love, that our eye’s, and ears and heart’s are opened and a whole new world miraculously opens up. The Kingdom of Heaven is indeed at hand and always has been. Thank you Gregg, for your constant reminder of this truth.
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Such profound simplicity in your words makes for a core experience in living.
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This one point is the nexus with which all change can be made – in our own individual lives and for the whole of humanity.
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I believe this is the capacity David was highlighting when he describe man as, ” For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor.” This is the ultimate of free will and the unimpeachable connection to our Father in Heaven. Viktor Frankl discovered this under some of the most horrific conditions, so how difficult can it be for us when our feelings are hurt or even if we are betrayed. This is a muscle worth exercising for I can’t think of one person who hasn’t had to rely on it! Thanks Gregg, great post.
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