Story (Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning): Trying to inspire other inmates held captive with him in the Nazi concentration camps during WWII, Frankl encouraged them to think of themselves as being watched. He called on them to imagine themselves as surrounded by a crowd of witnesses, who looked on at them in their times of difficulty: a friend, a spouse, someone living or dead, God, a protective being. Frankl called on them not to disappoint these deeply concerned and caring people or beings. He called on them to carry their sufferings with pride, to bear them with dignity, to take note of their attitudes as if they may be called at some future date to relate how they had borne their trials. By bearing our sufferings in an honourable way, we can achieve a deep fulfilment.

Story Essence: By bearing suffering with dignity, you can be inspired to lift yourself out of your immediate surroundings and sufferings.

Specific Action: Think about how you can lift yourself out of the situation you are suffering in right now. Imagine yourself being watched by someone you respect deeply as you go through this ordeal. Journal about how you can carry yourself with dignity in this situation. You will feel stronger and more able to cope. Smile because you can.

As you practise carrying yourself with dignity in your suffering, you will be inspired to feel differently and more positively about your situation. Tomorrow we will look at suffering as a way to appreciate life right now.