I am sharing my story, about how I discovered my own meaning and began to unfold my life purpose. I give an overview of how this began to unfold in my life, which has brought me to the possibility of fulfilling my meaning, through reaching out to others. I have come to this late in life, after focusing on raising children, going through a divorce, working to survive, until finally, I came to the cusp of new possibilities.
Having encountered Dr Viktor Frankl in studying the Introductory course in Logotherapy at the University of South Africa, (UNISA), in 2012 and meeting Dr T. Shantall at the workshop, I discovered my own vehicle to unfolding my meaning. At the time I was not sure how this would unfold. I really wanted to become a Logotherapist, but was not in the financial position to continue with the other courses offered at UNISA. In the time since then I have been in the process of paring down, which began with the letting out of my home. I moved in with my sister and then into a tiny “cupboard” as I put my house on the market, sold it and waited for my funds to come through. During this time of waiting and paring down, I worked on a fictional short story: Belongings in the Sand: The Tale of the Red Heeled Shoes, which I learnt how to publish as an ebook through Amazon, together with an audio version.
As I struggled with the confines of the small space and many disruptions and lack of peace and quiet while living in my “cupboard”, I came to the idea to do a PHD to work with sufferers of trauma and PTSD. The underlying inspiration for this came from my relationship with Brett P, who suffered so from depression and what I feel was PTSD. Finally and tragically he committed suicide. The idea also is deeply inspired by Logotherapy and Viktor Frankl. I really feel that trauma sufferers experience an existential crisis, their world no longer makes sense, they have no language to speak this senselessness, this schism in their very being and at the heart of their lives. My journey has taken me across the country to the Western Cape, which has the highest trauma statistics in the country. I have been accepted to do this PHD through UNISA and the Psychology Department. My proposal has been accepted and approved and I am staying in the moment, being positive and looking forward to new opportunities. A new life, a revealing and unfolding, the time is now.
Suffering ceases to be suffering... https://t.co/zybXmNCqzD
— carol knox (@redrabbitskills) October 27, 2016
“I go to seek a great perhaps”
This quote resonates with me and the words are said to be the last words of Franciois Rabelais, although there is some controversy about this. My journey in all ways is towards uncovering/discovering the “great perhaps”. My wish especially for those who really need it, who are suffering or in pain in some way, is for them to discover their “great perhaps”, which in the words of Viktor Frankl is unique to you:
“…meaning must be found and cannot be given.”
What is the Great Perhaps? - I Go to Seek a Great Perhaps #GreatPerhaps http://t.co/pFmHj5IlXK . cc @WeEnjoyIT pic.twitter.com/GviJ2k9FQI
— Gabriel Kaam (@gkaam) March 15, 2015
In this way, step by step and with ongoing steps, I move into the future, looking forward to what might be. I am taking things a day at a time, yet feeling positive and hopeful.
What is your WHY, your great perhaps? What is there that you can still achieve? Share your story.
I am a personal meaning and mindfulness coach, eTutor and teacher, currently living in Cape Town, South Africa. My interests range from mindfulness meditation to discovering meaning and purpose, Viktor Frankl, and compassion. I am engaged in a PHD study on mindfulness and discovering meaning, with trauma sufferers. Find me on LifeCoachHub for personal meaning and life coaching.
I equip individuals to overcome challenges and life difficulties, guiding them to greater fulfillment and enrichment in their work and personal lives. My work is designed to help others reduce their stress through meditation and mindfulness. I am a long-time trainer, lecturer, and business soft skills coach, focusing on: Train the Trainer, Stress Management, Conflict Management, Negotiation, Diversity, and Achieving Consensus, among other topics. I am a university etutor for training teachers in Life Orientation and Adult Basic Education.
Go along to Meaningful Living Coach to discover daily ways for you to overcome difficult situations, to help you to find the WHY that will energize and animate your life. In finding your own WHY, in discovering your meaning and your purpose, your pain will be lessened.