Is Your Life Only For You?
Living solely for oneself is not the authentic way to exist. It will let you lose a significant part of your life journey.
You are here to achieve, enjoy, give, and fulfill.
Dr. Viktor Frankl, the founder of Logotherapy, states:
“ Self-Transcendence denotes the fact that being human always points, and is directed, to something or someone, other than oneself–be it a meaning to fulfill or another human being to encounter.”
(Frankl, V.E. 2006)
Self-Transcendence is your willingness to go beyond yourself towards a cause to serve and/or another person to love.
It is a cornerstone for living a “Meaningful and Purposeful” life. Through it, you take a part of yourself, of your passions, interests, and time to pour it into other people’s lives.
Forms Of Self-Transcendence
Self-Transcendence is based on an I – Thou relationship. It is about you (I) and something/someone outside of yourself (Thou). It can be lived and experienced in different forms.
The first form of Self-Transcendence is for “A Cause.” Transcending for a cause may take various levels:
• Local, like preserving the heritage of your town/village.
• National, like organizing a pressure committee to change an unjust law in your country.
• Regional/International, like being part of a board to prevent global warming.
All the types of causes go far beyond mere interests for yourself, affecting your entourage or even the whole world. Through it, you will give your energy, time, and expertise for a supreme selfless objective.
The second form of Self-Transcendence is toward “Someone/Something.” It may be lived on different scales and can take the form of closed or broader reach:
• Closed scale, providing a decent life for your family and your kids, helping your old parents in their daily work.
• National Scale, establishing a charity to help people with rare diseases.
• International scale, develop strategies or be part of institutions to end poverty in the world, especially in underprivileged countries.
Self-Transcendence may be lived for the sake of the person/s and also for the sake of animals. An example is opening a shelter in your country for street dogs, and raising international awareness of the extinction of specific animals.
Self-Transcendence Is Not Burn-Out
It is imperative to discern that Self-Transcendence is not the call to stop caring for yourself, to burnout, and to sacrifice your well-being.
Keeping your light to light the world and other people’s lives is essential. Caring for yourself during the process is not selfish.
If you are a caregiver, a parent, or a CEO, how may you still serve your children, your family, your teams, and your people if your health has deteriorated and your interests are thrown away? Sooner or later, you will see that your light is dimmed and your service level is affected.
Self-Transcendence is not the call to unhealthy sacrifices but to include others within your own interests. For example, you love to walk in nature alone every day, and one day, your sibling expresses the love of walking with you. You see that this step may induce a change in their lives; you have the right not to include them in your walk every day, but Self-Transcendence is to willingly and heartfully let them walk with you once a week while keeping your alone time an activity that you love.
Preserving your well-being is crucial while Self-Transcending.
Self-Transcendence Varies On A Scale And Between Situations
In specific contexts and situations, Self-Transcendence may arrive at higher sacrifices by choice, including higher risks. It is a conscious decision that the individual makes for the sake of the cause and/or the person.
An example is a father donating one of his kidneys to his daughter. Similarly, in wars and challenging conditions, a person sacrifices part or the whole of his life for the sake of a cause or others.
You should know that you have the right to choose the way you want to transcend, even if it is an “Out Of The Box” decision. Take care of yourself to the best you can and let the extreme contexts of Self-Transcendence be by a conscious choice even.
No Excuses
“ The more one forgets himself–by giving himself to a cause to serve or another person to love–the more human he is, and the more he actualizes himself ”(Frankl, V.E. 2006)
Undergoing a life without Self-Transcendence will make you a self-centered individual and consequently lose significant parts of your purpose in life. Self-Transcendence is a major part of your Self-Actualization. An authentic, meaningful existence cannot be undergone without including a higher cause and others to love.
There are no excuses for us not to Self-Transcend; there are millions and other ways to pick your cause/s and the people you would love to serve. Leaving parts of your heart and mind outside yourself is the sole impactful way for your “fingerprint” on earth.
What is the cause you chose to Self-Transcend to? And, who are the people you will be serving?
