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Victor Frankl (1965) tells the story of his own experience in Nazi concentration camps. He watched those who survived
and those who did not and concluded that those who made it found ways to make meaning for themselves in spite of the dismal
aspects of their existence. Sharoff (2004) suggests providers need to insure these factors are present:
· There needs to be a life directive (small or big)
and it must be pursued daily. Purposefulness needs to be re-established. Even if life is ending there is the choice of how
to spend remaining days.
· There must be commitment, determination and resolve
to attain goals. To get out of bed each morning medical patients must have goals.
·
Patients need to refocus in what they value and find their values expressed in daily activity. Daily goals should reflect
values so that activities can be pleasing, satisfying and beneficial.
· Medical
patients may need help in breaking goals into steps. A sense of control comes in taking steps toward meaningful goals on a
daily basis.
If we don't know where we are going, it doesn't matter
how we get there. We need a sense of purpose in life. A meaning. A
sense of commitment. People with a purpose are more resilient to stress. They are healthier
and they are happier. Having commitment and purpose means understanding one’s
values, living each day in harmony with those values, having goals, pursuing those goals each and every day.
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