By: Jordyn Bouer-Myers

Last week I finished the biography, Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl. Frankl is a psychiatrist in Germany who was sent to Auschwitz, as well as three other concentration camps, during World War II. The biography goes into detail about his experience in the camps, along with the psychology behind the prisoners’ mindset while suffering in these camps. I found one thing specifically that really struck a chord within me, and I wanted to share it with you all in hopes that it strikes a chord with you as well; that one thing being a reason to persevere allows us to endure extraordinary pain.

Peace, happiness, serenity, hope, inspiration and love; all things gifted to us at birth. However, we must go through pain and hurdles before we have a chance at getting those beautiful gifts. During these times of immense suffering there is no happiness, no bright side, no silver lining and that is the harsh reality. The only way to have the chance to experience these beautiful gifts is if you have a reason to persevere. Sometimes, suffering is the only way to bring about the peace and serenity in our lives. Living with that mindset allows us to endure extraordinary pain. Any compelling reason that drives you forward in life holds extreme and unbreakable power. Fear is one of the strongest emotions; it tests one’s courage, strength, perseverance and endurance. Actions speak louder than words, a lesson learned from a young age. With fear comes response, there are three reactions to fear; fight, flight and freeze. Through Frankl’s biography, he touches on the responses people had to entering the concentration camps:

1. Freeze- The one who freezes doesn’t make them weak. Fear invokes a variety of emotions and responses. Entering the concentration camps can make one numb. Losing hope to continue, thoughtlessly obliging, in a sense, giving up.
2. Flight- A common response to fear, is to run away from what one is fearful of. In the camps, there is nowhere to run away and hide. Not being able to flee causes one to freeze. As already mentioned, freezing in the camps means to lose hope and give up.
3. Fight- In response to fear, some choose to not allow the fear to take over, they don’t allow the fear to control them. They hold onto the one thing stronger than fear- hope. Those with the fight response hold onto the one thing that drives them forward, the one thing that makes them think that all they are enduring is worth it. Those with the fight response, are those who make it through.