"Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose"

Finding meaning and purpose in life is at the heart of human existence. Think about it: no matter how tough things get, if we feel like what we're doing matters, we can get through almost anything. That's the core idea here. It's not our circumstances that break us; it's when we can't see any point to them.

This idea isn't new. Viktor Frankl, a psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, highlighted it in his book "Man’s Search for Meaning." Frankl endured the horrors of Nazi concentration camps, which were some of the most unbearable conditions imaginable. But he noticed something remarkable: those who found a sense of purpose, no matter how small, were more likely to survive. They might have been driven by the hope of seeing a loved one again or the desire to finish a project or a goal they had started before their imprisonment. This purpose gave them a reason to keep going, even in the face of unimaginable suffering.

Let's bring this to a more relatable scenario. Imagine Sarah, a single mom, juggling two jobs to support her kids. Her life is incredibly demanding and exhausting. She gets up at the crack of dawn, works all day, comes home, cooks, helps with homework, and barely gets any sleep. On the surface, her circumstances seem pretty unbearable. But she finds meaning in her children’s smiles and achievements. The purpose she sees in raising her kids and giving them a better life fuels her perseverance. That’s what keeps her going when everything else seems insurmountable.

So, how do you apply this wisdom in your own life? First, it’s crucial to figure out what drives you. What are you passionate about? What gives you a sense of fulfillment? Maybe it’s your family, your work, your hobbies, or something else entirely. Once you identify that, hold onto it tightly. Make it your north star. When life throws you curveballs, and it will, remember why you’re in the game. That purpose will help you navigate the toughest times.

Imagine this: you're working a dead-end job you hate. Every day feels like a grind, and you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. But what if you reframe your perspective? What if you start seeing this job as a stepping stone to something bigger? Maybe you’re saving up to start your own business or to go back to school. Suddenly, your job isn’t just a paycheck; it’s a means to an end. It has purpose. And that makes a huge difference.

I remember a time when I felt utterly lost. I had just moved to a new city for a job that didn't quite pan out. I was isolated, living in a tiny apartment, and struggling to find my footing. For a while, it felt unbearable. But then I started volunteering at a local community center. Helping others gave me a sense of purpose that I desperately needed. It didn’t change my circumstances overnight, but it gave me a reason to get up every morning. It made the tough days bearable.

The takeaway? Seek out and cling to what gives your life meaning. When you do, you’ll find you can endure almost anything. Life's hurdles won't seem so high when you’ve got a purpose to propel you forward. Remember, it’s not about the hand you're dealt, but how you play your cards. We all have the power to find and hold onto our meaning and purpose — and that's what makes life not just bearable, but truly worth living.