Man’s Search for Meaning

Finding peace with aid of a floating fish head

I often used to think that people walking around happy and jolly were either pretending or on something medicinal. It wasn’t until recently I began opening up to a new reality..that of happiness. Now instead of being the accuser, I am the accused.

Have you ever noticed some people are always happier than the next? Offering a different perspective on life?

Try not to get annoyed by them; instead, study how they perceive things.

Instead of doom and gloom, they see only sunshine and prosperity. They do not live in poverty but in prosperity. Whatever the financial stability, they are happy no matter what. This, in my view, is true wealth. Regardless of their given situation, they make the best of it.

This prompt, reminds me of my earlier studies on the topic of “Man’s search for meaning.” Having read Victor Frankl’s book, the most compelling story is of him telling how he found peace during the times they were only given fish water, made from the leftover heads of the German officers in the camp.

Viktor Frankl was captured and put into a concentration camp. Even when hope was lost…Viktor Frankl found it, telling the tale of a floating fish head. It was his faith that strengthened his hope of one day walking out of the concentration camp, all the while ministering to the less hopeful, Shedding Light on a bleak situation.

Note: Ani Po is a pen name and carries the meaning of “I am here.” I have previously referred to Ani Po as a pilgrim, in the masculine and ego-sense, while referring to a warrior carrying the energy of feminine and identifying as she.

When Ani Po was a lost pilgrim, she could only see happy people as delusional. How could they possibly be happy in today’s given state of the economy? They must be living falsely, or on ‘happy pills.’ both may be true, but soon Ani Po would find out it was she that was delusional. As a Pilgrim, she pooh-poohed the happy, positive people. As a Warrior, she saw them in a brighter light, showing their true identity…and Allie.

From seeing self-help gurus as only interested in their bank accounts to seeing them as truly interested in helping the lost pilgrims of today. While some may be more interested in the paycheck, some are authentically looking to serve the greater good.

Personal thoughts, at the time I wrote this piece in 2012. No validity in what my thoughts reflect back then, except that is where my mind was. Currently, I do not have an opinion but hope that people find what they are looking for without being taken advantage of.

Ani Po, during the times of poverty thinking (pilgrim thinking), saw everyone as a threat. Seeing everyone as trying to manipulate her or take advantage of her. What she failed to realize is her pilgrim thinking attracted more pilgrim thinking. Her negative thoughts were sent out into the universe as a prepaid order, and the universe was happy to oblige in giving her what she continued to dwell upon. Changing her thinking to that of prosperity (warrior thinking), she began to see everyone as a mentor or an Allie, waiting to aid her in her quest towards happiness.

Present day thinking, all can become allies, directly or indirectly by the lesson, we need only see with open eyes.

No longer feeling trapped or insecure with herself, Ani Po has found security in knowing that she is right on time and perfect just the way she is. She has realized her imperfections make her unique, and honoring her imperfections invariably sees perfection daily. Seeing a mirror image of imperfect perfection, she can see the perfections in all the imperfections that surround her.

Where do you see yourself? Are you still trapped in feeling like that of a pilgrim? That is OK.

 Just as Ani Po found out…you too shall see… you are right on time. How does one get to this place of Warrior Mentality? Ani Po did not go anywhere to find it, and no books could teach her The Way. No guru could get her to see The Way. Instead, she had to choose this path of Warrior, standing firmly in what she felt to be true.

Stepping into the Canvas as a Warrior. Knighted by the Most High, you have been appointed to watch over the seekers of Light. When asked how did you get there, you will tell them…From Pilgrim to Warrior in a Single Thought. From Lost to Found, I know this to be true.

Thank you Marcus aka Gregory Maidman for this weeks Spiritual Prompt and Ravyne Hawke for housing these words on Promptly Written. It brought me back to when I first wrote about Viktor Frankl, in awe of the courage he displayed during his time. I was going to write a poetic piece, but I think I will leave it here, sharing a personal journal entry on this subject.

Much gratitude for those who take time to read, ponder, and allow the inner workings of self to come forward. Grateful for the feedback, love shared, and more importantly, the Dance with Inspiration. Deep Peace.

Joseph Lieungh